Yes, the whole experience itself was rather pleasant...not the pain...but the events and mood leading up to point of "I need to push!"
This time: I knew I was in labor, but chose not to go to the doctor right away. Instead we decided to go to a birthday party for a close friend, besides my doctor was invited to the party too.
First time: I thought is was false labor and was forced to go to the clinic by my mother and tattle-tale husband.
This time: I wasn't mad at hubby, he was clearly aware that I was experiencing labor pains but also wanted to party.
First time: I was mad at hubby: he slept even though I told him I was feeling what I thought was false labor pains...hmm...maybe that's why he continued sleeping even after I had awoken him a couple times with my "ou's."
This time: I arrived at the clinic 9 cm dialated
First time: I arrived at the clinic 6 cm dialated
This time: I handled contractions a whole lot better... But I must give props to info I found on the net. Expectant moms heed my words... mediation is the key (well at least it was for me) I just relaxed and concentrated on the fact that contractions have a beginning, middle and end. Beginning is mild and builds up to the middle which is the climax, then fades off to the end. I knew the pain was coming and waited for it and listened to it...oh and it definitely helped that I took a deep breath in at the start and slowly released it during the contraction.
First time: Fear caused me to tense up, but thank the good Lord above, hubby was there to rub my lower back while I was feeling this horrid pain. I had him apply pressure to my lower back until he felt as though his hand would fall off. Hey, it was the least he could do. Besides the pain his hand felt was in no comparison to what my coochie ("cucus" as Roy calls it) was feeling.
Two things that happened that were similar was 1: Doc had to break my water. 2: The pain I felt after that can only be described as mind boggling.
This time: For a moment I couldn't think, and felt like I couldn't catch my breath. I felt the need to push but couldn't because 1: we weren't in the delivery room 2: I was standing: 3: I needed to sit on the wheel chair to get to the delivery room. I thought the task to be impossible but again thank the good lord for nurses, doctors and family support. Nurse Briceno snapped me to reality with a calm, sympathetic but firm "deep breath. Take a deep breath." Once I managed to do that my whole body relaxed and I sat in the wheel chair and told Roy "Hurry!"
First time: I remember being wheeled through the waiting room and upon seeing our families I held my hand to my head and did a sign that said put me out of my misery.
This time: I started to push as I got on the table, but they kept telling me not to (I was too high on the table and needed to slide down.)
First time: They were telling me I was pushing wrong... LOL Can you imagine...I was pushing up apparently when I was suppose to be pushing down...hence bare down: For all you first time moms push like you want to poop...there I said it, I wish someone had told me that before I went into labor.
Both times: My darling angels came out with the woosh and my whole being relaxed, hearing their cries and seeing them for the first time all covered with yucky stuff but still looking so beautiful and so REAL. "Ten fingers, ten toes?"
Ten fingers. Ten Toes.
