I delivered my first child, a girl, in 1980. I attended Lamaze classes with my mom. My husband refused to go. He and his mom gave me a hard time about breast feeding. They thought I was stupid to want to breast feed. I did it anyway. I stopped when she was 13 months old and had TEETH!. I was 20 when I got pregnant.; My labor began with my water breaking, not a gush, just a loss of fluid everytime I sat down. It took 3 times for me to realize what was happening. 10 minutes later the pain began. It was hard from the first to the last. All in my back. Because my water had broke, we went to the hospital which was 45 minutes away. 7 hours from the breaking of the water to delivery. Not bad for a first. My secnd child was born in 5 hours. A boy. I did not use an epidural or pain med with either. Today, I have worked in L&D as the RN. I would advise no med if you have a high pain tolerance and do not want the baby exposed to drugs. However, if you can not tolerate much pain, the best choice in my opinion is an epidural. If the anesthesiologist is good, you have no pain, but can effectivly push when it is time. The meds you can get in your IV sedate the baby. If timed right, this is not a problem. But if given too close to delivery, the baby is too sedated and may need assistance with breathing or possibly a little blow by oxygen. I had an excellent experience. The only real problem was the nurse did a vag exam, said I was dilated to an 8 and walked out. Less than 5 min later I told her I needed to push. She did not believe me until she checked and I was complete. So, I always listen to the patient and recheck. On a side note, when the went to do the episiotomy, my husband passed out. CLUNK went his head on a stool. He required stitches in the ER. They took him by wheelchair. However, I walked out. It really was funny. At least to everyone else. 6 pounds and 13 ounces. I named her Tina Renee. After my younger sister, Tina.

Did you have a good experience? What would you change if you could go back and make it better?

My l&d went fine, I didn't have an epidural. I had to IM injctions instead. I should note that I ended up having an appy when I was 7mos pregnant. I went into labor follwoing the surgery and they were able to stop it. I spent a month off work and returned with only a min 8hr shift restriction. My son was delivered within 7 hours of my water breaking. I did encounter nurses I thought were a little rud, but most were great. I had an episiotomy, my son was 7lb 7oz & 21 inches long. I did not take any classes beforehand. Although, I watched every possible baby show on TV there was, even the ones that tell you what could go wrong, my family thought I was "ill". My husband & best friend were with me the whole time. I had some difficulty with the nursing staf as far as my wishes to breastfeed, they semed very rough with my child. I thankfully had a sister who was active in la leche league and she was able to assist me, help me correct my positioning problems and answer any questions I had, I eneded up breastfeeding for 2 1/2 yrs...my son was nearly weaned at 2yrs and became severely ill and was hospitalized for a time and he nursed more frequently and brought the milk back.

wow sounds like some have a really hard but very interesting time...lol.. i could never really breast feed i tried really hard, but brae would not latch on, so unfortuantely the short time that we tried to give it a shot were amazing, however, they didnt get to last and was put on formula...:(

I delivered my first child 6 weeks early in another state. I had permission from my OB/GYN to go there because I needed to get through court documentation for the custody we have of our niece. I brought my records with me luckily. My mother in law had a little shower for me at her house. While I was ther, I did not feel well. I went in the bathroom only to notice my face and fingers were swollen. My husband and I left there and I told him to stop at a cvs so I could take my bp. It was 200/120. Needless to say we went straight to the ER. I have never in my life been triaged that quickly it literally took 5 min from triage to L & D floor. When I got to the floor the doctor assigned to me said well, you are going to have a baby tonight. He explained the vaginal gel to stimulate labor and pitocin then proceeded to start with the gel. I had taken classes and intended to have natural childbirth since I was more afraid of someone messing up my epidural than the pain, however givne my bp level they recommended an epidural and started me on magnesium sulfate. 7 hours later after gel and pitocin I was only 7 cm and not progressing. The doctor decided to increase the pitosin but did not appears confident it would be effective. I had pain on the right side of my body, but not the left but would not say anything because they told me I would feel pressure and I thought this was normal. I called my mom and my best friend while in labor. After 14 hours they came in and told me I remained at 7cm and I needed a C-section. my first question was is it going to feel like this. They were shocked to find out I was having pain the whole time. I then found out my epidural had slipped and was only in part way. They had to do the epidural again. I don't remember a lot at this point as I was exhausted beyond belief, but my husband claims I sang old songs while on my way into the delivery room for my c-section. My son William was born 6 weeks early at exactly 7 lb. He aspirated during delivery and needed IV antibiotics. My husband and I stayed in Ohio for 14 days until we could leave to go home. On the way to the plane I left our diaper bag in my sisterin laws van. It had all the baby supplies. She had to rush back to the airport to bring it and I went to try and hold the plane while my husband waited for her. When I got to the boarding area the attendent told me he was getting ready to close the doors. I started to sob and yelled at him saying my baby and I had been stuck in this god forsaken state for 2 weeks and I needed to go home and if he had a heart at all he would not close that door. Luckily my husband ran up just before they closed the door. I have never been so appreciative of my home, family, and friends before. I will never forget that experience. I was very lucky. Needless to say for my second child I vowed no travel.

lfograd05 said:

i had an idea bout making a poll and asking questions about all our labor and delivery experiences.

1. with your first child what it hard?
2. did you have the perfect l&d moment?
3. what were the nurses and staff like?
4. did you have a delivery plan?
5. did you take classes to become more informed about pregnancy?
6. how long was your labor?
6. would you recommend and epidural?
7. how would you rate your experience 1-10?
8 what age did you have yoru first child?
9. how big was your baby when wieghed?
10. what did you decide for a name for the lil one?

answer these questions and post your own qestions.. see who has anwers and other questions..

Questions:
1. Has anyone given birth outside in the civilian world, then had a child in a military instalation?
2. How did these experiences differ.