delivery poll

[Chica Yeyé 41]

no idea

never happened

r u kidding???

[sara535 15]

my first labor was waaaaaaaay long (not gonna put an hour figure, it might scare you) and I was alone the whole time. It seemed like it would suck but it really didnt, I think labor is so intense and personal anyway it wouldnt have mattered if someone had been there. my second was an unplanned c-section and my husband was there and I was really happy for that because I was scared sh**less. I personally think its important for the daddy to be there if possible not necessarily for mommy support but actually to welcome his child to the world - its such an amazingly overwhelmingly emotional experience. My husband cried unashamedly when he saw his daughter take her first breath and he wouldnt trade that for anything.....

[Mags 112]

i don't really want anyone loooking at my #######, but i'd like charles to be there.

and magenta not fair!!

What's not fair? What did I say?

[Nessa 23]

naughty language

[Mags 112]

naughty language

Oh that!

[Nessa 23]

u suck!

[Mags 112]

u suck!

I know!

[Nessa 23]

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Charles needs to be your coach. Unacceptable to leave you all lonely and frightened in the labor room.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

4.5 hours, no pain relief (not by choice, btw), it was horrific.

If you want your boss there, why not? You could also get a doula.

[trailmix 77]

Charles needs to be your coach. Unacceptable to leave you all lonely and frightened in the labor room.

If he doesn't want to be there and Nessa respects his decision, I say good on you both.

Nessa, are you going to have an epidural? If not - it won't matter if your boss sees you naked, you won't care, if so, you might want to consider not having her there.

[Amy&Aldo 2]

I voted 7.5 to 10 hours.

I have typically heard 8-10 hours that it took for family/friends of mine.

I don't have children of my own yet, so the second answer is obvious.

And, if your boss wants to come into the room you two must have a pretty darn good relationship. I am sure she wouldn't be offended if you cuss a little since she WANTS to be there.

i wouldn't say a good relationship except a good work relationship. we're not friends. i think she feels sorry for me because i'm all alone here.

Ok, no way would I have her in there if she wasn't my friend! Childbirth is definitely way too personal for acquaintances. How would Charles feel about staying in there with you, but hanging out up by your face instead of down below with all the blood? If you have drugs it is a pretty pleasant process. I've tried it both ways and totally do NOT recommend going natural!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The average labour for first time mothers is 15-16 hours.

Mine was 16 and a half hours. Didn't feel a thing due to having an epidural.

Edit: Btw, I have invisibised the naughty language, guys.

Jinky agreed to take the epidural, but we think that complicated the delivery - our baby spent a week in the NICU because the doctor used a suction cup on his scalp. The poor little guy....

Nessa - if you haven't already, I'd recommend you and Charles take birthing classes...they're really helpful. When the contractions for Jinky were less than about 5 minutes apart, we called the hospital and they told us to go ahead and bring her in. The hospital will not admit you if the contractions are too far apart (check though with your hospital). Once we got there, they measured the contractions and then wheeled her into the delivery room. I think it was about 4 or 5 hours after we left for the hospital until the time of birth.

I'm not digging at Charles, but I'd encourage him to be there, to comfort you as your contractions become longer and harder. The hospital provides a sofa chair and a place for the husbands to lie down if necessary, but I honestly spent most of my time standing, holding her hand, giving her ice chips, calling relatives, taking pictures. I would've gone crazy to not have been there to experience it all.

Edited December 9, 2008 by Mister Fancypants

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Charles needs to be your coach. Unacceptable to leave you all lonely and frightened in the labor room.

Sorry, but this is between charles and nessa. And they have their reasons for it, none of our biz, really.

[Marilyn. 340]

my mom's labours were all under 7 hours from the first contraction to the delivery....

mine was kind of weird because I didn't know I was having contractions until a few hours later because I wasn't supposed to be having contractions.... but it was just under 2 hours from the time they had me start pushing to the time I delivered... I would not recommend natural childbirth .. I didn't have a choice... I was acting like a crazy person, thrashing around and screaming...

Edited December 9, 2008 by *Marilyn*