By Sara Beth, Contributing Writer
My first birth did nothing but set me up for failure in future births. That statement seems very harsh (so harsh I almost did not type it) but it is true. I was induced early, and despite a fairly uncomplicated labor, I was given a terrible episiotomy (after only pushing 3 times, so I doubt it was any sort of “emergency”).
Breastfeeding was almost a complete failure, except for the fact that an amazing lactation consultant helped me and encouraged me. My baby had to stay in the hospital for almost a week due to jaundice, because he was born too early—this only added to my breastfeeding trouble and my baby blues. I never saw the doctor that delivered him again, and I am fairly certain that I cannot even picture her face.
My first birth taught me nothing—surprisingly—because people kept commenting on how well things went. That birth led me into my 2nd birth, which led me straight to the O.R. to welcome my baby with my arms strapped to the table and my husband outfitted in scrub gear. I first laid eyes on my daughter as she was lifted over a blue surgical curtain.
I finally hit my birthing wall and wised up, however my 1st and 2nd births followed me. I desired to have my future babies in a Birthing Center; however, due to being a VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean) I had to be monitored more closely in Labor and Delivery. (I won’t even mention that stupid episiotomy— scar tissue is not very strong, and even by baby number 4 he was still showing his ugly face.) Even so, my 3rd and 4th babies were welcomed into the world by the skilled and patient hands of an excellent midwife.
Her face will always be etched in my mind, her calm voice in my head—she is a part of our family. When my 3rd baby was born and placed on my chest, I was so surprised by how calm and miraculous it was all at the same time. My husband said, “I love midwives!” while staring into the face of our new son.
If I could do it all over again, it would be so different. However, I can’t go back, only forward. There is no reason to sit around and think about all the “what ifs”, and likewise, there is no reason to blame myself or point fingers. That being said, I don’t want to sit back and watch women march blindly into birth—I want them to be informed one way or another. I want women to make choices that best fit themselves and their families, even if they are not the same choices that I would make.
What I wish I knew for my 1st Birth:
• You only get 1 “first birth.”
• You have lots of choices—do your research.
• Listen to others and ask questions—don’t take what one person says as absolute truth. Sample lots of people, friends, and family members—learn from their experiences.
• You have time. Although good prenatal care is important, not every decision has to be made by the time you are 6 weeks pregnant.
• Choosing your Primary Care Provider is more important than choosing a hair dresser—ask more than one person (even if she has good hair.)
• Listen to your gut—if you don’t feel comfortable, move on.
• Read, study, learn, grow—devour information.
• These are not good reasons for picking a place to have your baby: gourmet food, new building or state of the art labor and delivery rooms, or distance (within reason).
• There is no reason to be afraid of the pain—the pain is manageable, exhilarating, and necessary for having a baby.
• Fear comes from lack of understanding—labor is natural and my body was made to have a baby.
My birth journeys have made me who I am today, and for that I am thankful. No matter what, I will never forget the emotion of laying eyes on my first born child—there are no words to describe the feeling, so I won’t even try. However, if you are a mother, I know you are picturing it, feeling it deep within. The sounds, the sights, the smells … they will never be like the first time, will they?
Love this blog! Research research research! Mommies need to know what they are getting themselves into so they can make informed decisions. Don’t accept things being done to you or your baby just because you are told to. Research all the possibilities before hand, have a birth plan, have your answers thought out.
I’m a plus sized mommy, who had gestational diabetes and was told I’d never be able to stay off medication for it through diet, (which I needed to do to have a birth center birth instead of a hospital one) But I researched, and was diligent in what I knew to do instead of what “everyone” told me to do. This included strict diet, and getting up at 3am for the gym at 8 months pregnant before heading to work. I came down with Bells Palsy two weeks before I went into labor. And I was still able to have my dream birth for my first birth. I knew all my options, I knew the possible outcomes, I worked hard, and focused on my goal. Please mommies, be informed and don’t go into childbirth blind. This is one of the biggest events of your life, why wouldn’t you want to be fully prepared in all ways possible?
I’m gearing up for my first birth in a month. I am SO grateful for sites like this, and other mom bloggers who have shared both good and bad experiences. Knowledge really is power. “not every decision has to be made by 6 weeks pregnant”. This is so true! I’ve flipped and flopped on a number of issues and haven’t firmed anything up until this, my ninth month. Give yourself time and permission to change your mind!
I would also add that, as you educate yourself, educate your partner. I didn’t and that was dumb. I just showed my husband the “final” birth plan and said, “any questions?” and boy did he have a ton. And a lot of objections, too, simply from a) not being knowledgable about womanly issues and b) not having done the level of research that I did. “I didn’t know that was how they can do it now” is an often repeated comment from him. So don’t leave your partner out of your research process!
My first birth I was 18, single and scared. A cesarean resulted from fetal distress when I wasn’t in labor yet! Now, inmy mother unfriendly state of Maryland, I’ll have to fight every time I give birth.