Wanted woman who have had natural active birth or had a birth plan

[cathy bradford]

Hello

My name is Cathy Bradford and I am a Midwifery student. I am currently wanting to hear from mums who wanted a natural active birth and acheived it ,and if you did not achieve it what were the reasons. I would also like to hear from mums who used a birth plan or are intending to use a birth plan and if any of you think they are worthwhile. This research is for my own information and I would be grateful for any input

Thankyou in advance

Cathy

[Lucybelle]

do you want me to reply here or do you have an email adress?

[MoushiMoushi]

Hi Cathy,

I think I had an active birth, I was induced and had gas till they gave me an epidural (but it only worked my left side) so I felt every contraction and I was able to push etc. I moved around (different positions etc) during labour, Our son had to be delievered by forceps coz he had turned during labour and his head was head butting my cervix(sp) each time I pushed. I did have a birth plan but it wasnt used.......

1. I wanted a natural start to labour but I went 12 days over so had to be induced.
2. I wanted music to be played and incense burned but my waters broke so fast that relaxing music and incense were the last things on my mind LOL :D
3. I didnt want any drugs (especially not an epidural) But within minutes of full blown labour I was begging for them!!!
4. My DH wanted to cut the cord and I wanted to hold our son straight away (maybe bf, bond etc) but as our son wasnt breathing when he arrived he was sweeped away to the special care nursery so I didnt get to see him for 4 hours or so after birth :(

Im still glad I did a birth plan as it made me feel more in control with what was going to happen (even if I was only fooling myself :p )

Hope I've helped

[TwoBlue]

Ditto to lucybelle and kevinbudgie....
do you have an email address?

[Mummaof2]

Hi Cathy,

I am currently pregnant with my second child and had my daughter 5 years ago.

When i was pregnant with my daughter my EDD was the 21st December 2000. For the 2 days before the 21st I spring cleaned the house from top to bottom. did the gardening, washed the car and made sure everything was packed and ready for hospital. For dinner on the eve of my EDD i had a huge bowl of curried sausages for the first time ever. My waters broke at 2:30am on the 21st (my EDD). I went to the hospital to be checked out and was sent home as i wasnt having any contractions. I went for a long walk around 10am and by time i got back home the contractions were starting. I headed back to the hospital around 1pm that afternoon. While at the hospital i walked around the maternity ward a million times, and stayed on my feet as much as possible until i was starting to feel to exhausted that i had to lie down. After having a rest for i was up walking around again untill the contractions got so severe I decided to have the Gas to help ease the stronger contractions so then i was confined to the bed but was up on all fours when possible. My daughter was born at 12:30am on the 22/12/2000, 30mins late from being born on her EDD. I was only in labour for 6 hours which i have been told is pretty good for your first child and i believe that it had alot to do with be very active before and during the birh of my daughter and i plan on having an active birth this time round as well.

[Megansmum]

I was working 40 hours a week right up the week before DD was born. I was swimming almost everyday as well as walking. This most definitely helped during the Labour that was to come. Though I must say I wouldn't have had it any other way.

My EDD was the 28 March 2005 (Easter Monday). I had a house full of people for Easter so I was entertaining 10 people for 10 days just to add to the challenge of also being pregnant iwth baby number 1. On 26th I couldn't go to bed as I was just too uncomfortable, constantly going to the toilet, then at 2am on the 27th I "showed". As I had been to classes I sort of knew what it was. I did not get to bed that night. My contractions started at about 3:30am butI just kept walking around trying not to disturb anyone. I rang the hospital when the contractions started and let them know. They said not to go to them until the contractions were at least 3-4 mins apart, which was fine.

I set out the Easter eggs for the egg hunt at about 5am and when the children got out of bed I told them that I wanted half of the eggs found. (Needless to say I didn't get any.) By 10am my contractions were 4mins apart and quite strong. So my DH knocked off work and I arrived at the hospital at about 11am. I went basically straight on to the gas to help with the contractions. As soon as I arrived at the hospital I went straight into the second transition of labour. Thankfully the midwives support a natural labour. I walked around, sat down and spent most of the time in the shower with the hot water on my back. I had one shot of pethidine for the pain in my spine. Also to help me "sleep" between contractions.

By the time I got around to asking for an epidural for the pain at about 5:00pm on the 27th I was about 8cm dilated and the doctor said no. DD was born at 7:05pm on Easter Sunday. 17 hours of Labour and contractions. It was certainly a long but wonderful day. Certainly made better by the wonderful support of my husband.

Hope this helps.

[suziebear]

Hi Cathy,

I had a natural birth minus one injection.

Basicly my waters broke at 7.15 am Sunday the 5th December. I started to feel a few pains about 12.30 the same day. By 1pm they were really really really painful and we headed to the hospital. On arrival I was 5 cm and nearly fully efaced. I had a shot of pethidene at 2.30pm. Spent most of my labor in the spa bath of HOT water which was great pain relief and also walked around the delivery room and used a birthing ball. By 3.45 I was fully dialated and started to push and Jayden was born at 4.25pm.

If you would like more infomation please email or pm me.
Susan

[cathy bradford]

do you want me to reply here or do you have an email adress?

Sorry about that forgot to add my email
cbradford@vtown.com.au
thanks

[cathy bradford]

Ditto to the above?
O's mom.

Sorry about that my email is cbradford@vtown.com.au
thanks for your help

[cathy bradford]

Hi Cathy,

I had a natural birth minus one injection.

Basicly my waters broke at 7.15 am Sunday the 5th December. I started to feel a few pains about 12.30 the same day. By 1pm they were really really really painful and we headed to the hospital. On arrival I was 5 cm and nearly fully efaced. I had a shot of pethidene at 2.30pm. Spent most of my labor in the spa bath of HOT water which was great pain relief and also walked around the delivery room and used a birthing ball. By 3.45 I was fully dialated and started to push and Jayden was born at 4.25pm.

If you would like more infomation please email or pm me.
Susan

Thanks Suzie

[cathy bradford]

Ditto to lucybelle and kevinbudgie....
do you have an email address?

sorry about that my email is cbradford@vtown.com.au

thanks for your help