[imamumto3]

I love watching birth shows on tv, but while I watch I feel like I have some how missed out on a 'normal' birth.

first was a caeser. then #2 &#3 were fast labours, no pushing and using gas and tens. I didn't really have pain until delivery so no need for dh to massage me etc. then the gas i used during delivery made me feel like I was floating and out of it, almost like I was watching but not part of it.

anyone else feel the same?

[Old Grey Mare]

Did you have healthy babies? If so, does it matter how they were born ?

[Charli73]

You wanted to be in more pain??

After 12 hours of labour pains and then an emergency CS I was happy to skip that pain for bub number 2!!!

[Chedasha]

Define normal? There is no such thing. It sounds like you did pretty well.

[Jenflea]

What is a normal birth?
I don't know how you'd describe a normal birth.
What do you feel you missed out on? hours of pain? Having an epidural or pethidine shot?
Weeks of painful prelabour pains?
Why would you feel like you missed out?

[mini mac]

I'm with old grey mare... It's only 1 day. I would be thankful, not feeling ripped off!

I had two straight forward natural drug free (but still painful!) labours which I am so glad to have experienced.

I know loads of friends and women that would have much preferred a c-section or quick drug free labours than the pain/complications/length of time they had with their labours....

Concentrate on the future and not one (or three) days from the past that really holds little importance in relation to your children and your relationships now

[imamumto3]

Maybe normal isn't the right word. maybe it was just that my births were so fast and full on that it was a bit overwhelming and that it just doesn't seem to be what most people experience. crazy I know

[jeska~and~her~se...]

I agree with the PPs that there is no 'normal' labour.

However, my first labour was as 'desirable' as they get - 16 hours, no pain relief, an hour of pushing, and a healthy baby delivered vaginally with no tears.

Would I do it again? Hell no! For my second labour I plan to have access to an epidural to control the pain. I had no idea it could hurt that much. I really don't need to experience that again.

So, OP, I envy your experience of short labours and minimal pain... Fingers crossed my next one will be similar.

ETA: when I say 'desirable', I mean desirable to those women who want to birth naturally and without interventions. Not desirable to those who know in advance that they don't want to be in agony.

This post has been edited by jeska~and~her~secret: 12/10/2012, 07:23 PM

[greenthumbs]

I had a 'normal' labour for about 14 hours until it was decided DS was stuck. I was prepped for caesar, given a spinal block, then they managed to get him out with forceps.

I hated the feeling the morphine gave me. I felt so spaced out, all my emotions from that time are so false. I understand you feeling 'ripped off' as I guess that's how I feel because DS was ripped from me rather than me pushing him out. You can't control how you feel.

No advice, just 'I hear ya' . Write your birth story, time will hopefully help.

[libbylu]

What is a normal labour?
Mine lasted 48 hours, I was delirious with exhaustion and after 2+ hours of pushing, he was stuck (posterior) and wouldn't come out. I ended up with an emergency c-section.
I think you just have to accept the experience you end up with, unless of course it was overly traumatic, in which case counseling can be a good idea.