What are your best and worst memories of giving birth?

The best is holding your new child

the worst is the morning sickness I always forgot about the pain of child birth after holding my new son ( 3 boys )

13 years ago I was dumb and nieve-no drugs!! What was I thinking! I was more scared of the big needle to numb me up! 3 years ago I was 10 years older and I could care less how big that needle was I want drugs!! So I did it both ways and my advice to you is epideral!!

The best holding the precious little baby.

My worse well I had children who had health problems so I had to have emergency c section on Nicholas and on Megan the spinal tab wouldn't take so it would be not being awake to see them born.

worst is pain with my 2nd - I almost had a natural childbirth. I soooooo didn't want that! DRUGS DRUGS ARE GOOD. Not being able to pee after my 2nd. Poorly done stitches on my first.

Best was of course the baby, drugs were great with the first, my husband's delight

Just so you know Paula nothing this good ( like your baby) ever comes easy well except for the loving part

DRUGS - LOTS OF DRUGS.

I agree - don't be a hero, LOL. Get that epidural!

Good luck and congratulations!

An incompetent anetheisologist could not find my epidural space and kept on sticking that big needle in my spine to find one. I was holding on to a nurse and crying it hurt so much. After about 20 sticks Dr. Fool said "the reason I can't find your epidural space is because you don't have one".

Thank God the next morning a good doctor showed up told me to count to 20 and my pain was gone. I got a beautiful little girl out of this 24 hr labor. Don't worry. It won't happen to you!!!

Marian U.

The worst part of any of my pregnancies was I had morning sickness all day long for all of them, and the best part, of course except for having that little bundle to love, was being able to feel hungry and eat again, I always said, when can I eat, right after delivering, it is different for everyone, never had a lot of pain, lucky, I was.

The worst part was having an incompatent doctor through out the delivery of my 2nd child. He had a heart rate that hovered around 20-30 for over 3 hours. She refused to do a C-Section, and denied that the low heart rate would have any effects on a newborn.

Thankfully, we did luck out, but when I did some research later, I found that she could have caused some major mental and physical problems with the baby for denying the c-section.

Oh- and I can also say- GET THE MEDS.

With all 3 children, I delivered in different hospitals, with different doctors, in different counties.

With number 1, I had nice competant doctors who immediatly ordered the anethesiologist to do the epidural. I spend about 75% of my hosipital side labor pain free.

With number 2, the incompatent doctor never checked on me. She relied on the nurses to do ALL checking on me for the first 4 hours I was at the hospital- but they can't order the epidural. That has to be done after the doctor checks on you, and not once you've hit 8.

My doctor waltzed in about 10 minutes after I hit an 8, so I didn't get any pain meds. It was the WORST experiance of my life being so scared for my child, and panicking because of the pain.

With number 3, I simply went into labor way too fast. I was induced at 8am by having my water broken. I wasn't given any meds to help it along. I had Gilly at 10:58am. There was no time for an epidural.

So, I went pain-med free twice, and as I like to say, "There's nothing natural about willingly putting yourself through that much pain".

I had my son with drugs. That was the Worst experience. They over medicated me I could not feel anything so I could not push well. The doctor (was not my regular doc) did not know what he was doing. My son went into distress I had an emergency C- section. M second I had no drugs I loved it The labor was painful but by far a better experience and she came naturally. My third I had another emergency C-section but the experience was still good. The best memory is seeing them the moment they are born.

I have 3 children and for some reason, I loved giving birth to all 3. My first, I had no medicine, my 2nd, I had medicine and my last I had an epidural but having them was beautiful.

With my 2nd child, I did hemorrage a little and that's the only thing that I can say was bad for me but overall, it was wonderful.

best and worst ..... hmmmm .... not being able to eat or drink anything was very bad for me b/c I'm diabetic and nearly went into shock .... hubby insisted that they DO something .... went into labor early in the day and the hospital wouldn't let me eat or drink anything .... didn't have the baby until late that night, and still no food or drink until morning .... soooooo ... if you are diabetic, be ASSERTIVE and make sure they take care of you ....

the epidural was not that difficult ..... I am terrified of needles, but this was something that I knew was necessary [though dreaded] .... they handed me a pillow and told me to arch my back like an angry cat ..... and it was nearly painless .... I was amazed .... they said arching the back helped them locate the area much easier and everything was smooth after that ....

the best thing ....... all worry and pain and tiredness are totally secondary once you have that precious child .... it is absolutely amazing .... not everyone feels a sense of euphoria immediately after giving birth ... and not everyone falls in love with their child, immediately ....... but there is definitely a feeling of awe involved ... that such a tiny, perfect little being came into the world because of you ........ it is different for everyone ... but the best ..... I know that I started crying when I was first able to hold and feed my tiny daughter ....... and I know that the doc who delivered her was my best choice .... that man was absolutely glowing with pride and bouncing on the balls of his feet as he walked, in a euphoric daze, marveling at the perfect baby he had just delivered ........ I am so glad that I had him taking care of us ....
----------------------
Please read & rate Coyotes Remember: Part Two before Jan 2, 2008. Thanks!

GET MEDS! DON'T DO LIKE ME AND MICHELLE-AFRAID OF THE NEEDLE-THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GO THROUGH THE ROOF!

The first time, I refused meds! Afraid of the needle! I am still afraid of needles, but the second time...I chose the epidural. God, was that a relief! Because I was so stupid the first time, and I was induced, etc., I was exhausted when my girl finally came.

The seond time, I was induced, didn't work, had C-section. But, I was able to enjoy my son right away. Of course, I had big babies and I am not a big woman. Everyone's experience is different, but it is smart of you to ask!

My worst memory of childbirth was with my 2nd child. They had to put a monitor in his scalp before he was born, but I guess that's kind of routine, but I was scared, then when his head was out, he had his cord wrapped around his neck twice, so I could have strangled him if I kept pushing, thak God I had a great doctor. My son still cannot stand things near his neck and he's almost 13. I think having his cord around his neck has something to do with that.

I guess my best memory of childbirth would have been with my 3rd and last child. I only pushed once for him. He basically crawled out. I thought that was awesome, less work for me. He was such a good baby!

My labor with my 1st child was normal I guess. 12 hours and 3 pushes and there she was. I think hearing all of them cry the first time was precious.

Only had one baby so my experience is limited to that. However, I agree with many of the moms above--get the drugs! I had "back labor" and the worst part of the whole experience was the male nurse who told me that the belly monitor wasn't registering anything and that contraction I'd just had "wasn't anything to write home about" and they might send me home to wait some more. Fortunately, a resident was standing at the end of the bed and heard every word--and once the male nurse left the room, I didn't see him again.

The absolute best part was that first moment when the doctor placed my son on my belly and I reached down to him and he grabbed my finger--and his almost-invisible blond eyebrows rose straight into his hairline! I told my husband--oh honey! he looks just like you!

My son also had the scalp monitor and never could stand anything on his head. Even at two months he'd find a way to roll around and rub his head to make a cap or fold of blanket come off. Hmm...I'd never made that connection before reading Leslie T.'s comment.

The worst part of labor for me was laying in the room with the only show on with any excitement at all was Tiny Tim marrying Twiggy! I had natural birth with my daughter until they stitched the epiesiotomy. The best of course is the moment of the last push, and your precious baby is there, and you can really hold her/him, instead of "house" them, and after nine months, you feel as tho you housed them!

Mu uterus became incompetant and with my second, I layed on my right or left side for several months. Everytime I stood up I would go into labor. I had a great doctor tho, and he was born on New Years Day. We made the paper, but he was not the first. Not for the paper anyway, He was first with me. You will enjoy the experience, does it hurt,? Yes. Am I glad I did it, Oh! Yes. Good Luck and God bless you. Ellen B

Dear Little Mama-to-be,
NO bad memories. REALLY! I have a daughter 27 and a son 23. My pregnancies were normal, deliveries were normal, and I have 2 terrific kids. You just don't remember the pain. The years since they were born have been the absolute best!

Don't worry, Honey! It will all be over soon and you'll be holding your sweet baby daughter. There's nothing like it in the world.

My worst memory was just about everything with my first. I hated the way the nurses talked me into an epidural to make their job easier; I despised the epidural; I hated that they lied to me, telling me the doctor wouldn't let me in the tub (they never called the doctor to ask!), they let my labor stop so I HAD to have pitocin (I HATED the pitocin!), and they REFUSED to tell me what was going on. I despised it. Until my son was born and they plopped his tiny little slimy body on me and I hugged and kissed him and forgot about everything because he was finally in my arms!
With my daughter, I loved everything. I gave birth at home in my tub (wonderful!), I had almost no pain and not a single drug (HEAVEN!), and my little baby girl flew into this world with only an hour of labor. My son took 29 hours! So, when they tell you every pregnancy and every delivery is VERY different, they MEAN it! :-D

42 hrs. of labor....baby in distress...pain, pain, pain...and no doctor in sight...nope, you really don't want to know

3 babies and 3 different experiences. The best was my last. I wised up and let them take care of the baby overnight so I could recover from my C-section with lots of rest. I felt like I was on vacation. I had childcare, meals, TV, my CD player, two books and I took care of my son during the day and rested at night while they cared for him. I knew I'd have plenty of sleepless nights when I got him home. Boy was I right.
There is no feeling in the world of holding your baby right after you have him/her.

I came close to having a c-section because my son's heart beat was erratic. The nurses said that when the doctor got there, he would most likely prep me for an emergency c-section. By the time he got there, though, I was already having the baby. The doctor didn't even have his second glove all the way on when my son came flying out, all in one push. He has the cord wrapped around his neck and tied in two knots. My doctor (who's been delivering babies since the late 80's) said he had never seen anything like it. So the worst part about it was being scared that my baby was in danger and was going to have problems. Luckily, he was fine, and all the nurses even commented that he was the most alert baby in the nursery.

The best part was the relief I felt when they told me he was healthy and had a great apgar score. He only missed one point on the initial one, and had a perfect score on the second one. Holding him was also wonderful! But I hated how they took him away from me for nearly an hour to get him cleaned up, weighed, etc.

Worst- They broke my water and let me labor for 28 hours after that. finally ending the ordeal with a c-section because my boy was stuck, He weighed in at 9lbs10ozs. I'm 5ft tall and weigh about 115lbs, I could do the math and tell you that babe wasn't coming out. thank goodness for drugs or I'd have probably killed someone.

Best- Different doctor, planed everything, drugs and c-section, right down to the minute... I went in the mornin and that night had a beautiful bouncing baby boy!!

Just remember when you get to the hospital your the only one who will look out for your best interest, especially if you end up without your regular doctor!!

#1 no drugs and delivered myself while in the hospital hence ( I did not plan it this way they just would not come to my aid they kept telling me over intercome stop screaming the baby is not coming yet then I sat up and delivered my own son then throw the pitcher through the plate glass window I was pissed. immediately after birth I walked out new son in tow with them screaming at me that I can not do this and that I had to sign papers to pay my reply was what they He@# for I delivered myself! I never did get a bill and never paid dime one for this birth

#2 Tried a home birth with a home birth dr but this baby's head was too large for my pelvis after 2 days of labor ( the Dr never left my side we drove to the hospital to have a c-section I left the hospital 2 days later as they did not want me to breast feed

#3 told once a c always a C so I had a c with an epidural that did not take; while screaming in delivery that I could feel them cutting my stomach open they said NO way I screamed back oh yeah watch me move my legs & body then a shot to knock me out as evidently the epi did not work. After delivery Drs wanted me on controlled doses of meds They did not help so I explained nicely that if they did not medicate me adequately I would get the meds I needed one way or another and pointed to my hubby and said he would get street drugs if he had too. then I again asked for meds as needed the Dr relented and ordered the nurse staff to medicate me when I asked. They did. For my trouble they also gave me and my hubby Lobster in the room with champagne ( Really Nice with our first daughter lying in the room)

#4 Having the same Dr as the third baby he knew I was determined to say the least. This time a spinal and meds at my command.

It was the waiting in the delivery room, feeling trapped, I was in the delivery room for 4 or my 6 kids birth. When the last one was born we were in the delivery room for hours, the finally did a c-section. I was sent out of the room for what seemed like hours again. I didn't know what was happening, if they were alright or not. They wouldn't tell me anything. Finally told me it was a girl and they were alright. Felt a lot better and reliefed (sp).

I was really excited o have a natural birth and I was very dissapointed when I had to have a cesarean. The BEST MEMORY EVER in my entire life is seeing my baby girl for the first time. I cried tears of joy because she was so beautiful to me!

I thought I commented on this one....

12 hours of labor & then they do the c-section...but the epidurals didn't work & so they had to knock me out completely & I wouldn't have it any other way! haha ;o)

2nd birth...c-section...being in labor for 3 hours & then after having the baby the baby is put into NICU because the dang doctor didn't think the baby would come natural & didn't listen to me that the baby would come earlier & she never did the strep b test...So yeah I had to pump & then I got engorged cause my baby wouldn't eat well....it was bad. But at least I went through it at the hospital...and my scar burned cause of the scar tissue! UGH! I thought that I didn't want more kids, but after 2 months of having my precious I wanted more...I still do & can't wait, but my husband is making me cause we can't afford it right now....

Oh & I breast fed my babies for 1 year each...I loved not having to have the baby wait for a bottle cause you go in when they wake up...throw them on & the go right back to sleep...if they wake up & have to wait for a bottle...I would think it would take a lot longer to put the baby back down after it woke itself up ;o)

The best part was when they laid my daughter on my chest.

The worst part was that I was dead set against an epidural and then once I changed my mind about that I was dilated to 8 and I couldn't have one. And I didn't have an episiotomy-I ripped. And 2 weeks later I had to have a D&C because the doctor left part of the placenta in me and I was hemmoraging.

I had to have an emergency C-section when I had planned for natural child birth, so I was very disappointed. But, having a healthy baby was definitely worth it. Just remember to ask for help when you need it.

ask me after I have one!

with my first I did it natrually, mostly because I hate needles. The other two I had to have a c-section. Which I don't recomend if you can help it!! I could not.