Has anyone given birth alone?

[Anonymous]

Didn't do it alone, but DH was not much help or comfort. With my 2nd I had a strong wish for my mother to be there and hold me when I was in pain. That surprised me a lot because we haven't been that close.

[Anonymous]

In my case, being alone was better than having a useless husband; in which you're constantly upset because he is either trying to flirt w/ the cute nurse or keeps leaving the room to get ice for himself because he doesn't care to be around. Also, he didn't change a single diaper while at the hospital. So, what was the point of him being there? In my case, I would have rather been alone.

[Anonymous]

My comment may seem flip (and it is, sort of ) -- but at some point I wanted everyone in the delivery room to GET THE EFF OUT! INCLUDING THAT BABY IN THERE! I JUST WANT TO SLEEEEEEEAAAAAAARGH! :p

That being said, what is very, very helpful is to have someone at home with you the first few weeks. Do you have frieds you can count on to take shifts?

[Anonymous]

Most of our mothers and grandmothers probably did. I know when I was born the doctor told my dad it would be a while and to come back later. So he went home and missed my birth while he was milking cows.

[Anonymous]

Dont worried ,I was 18 when I have my firt child and I was a lone ,God is there for you and so belive me u are strong and u make it up self eveng more!...dont put hope in other put it on your self!lol

[Anonymous]

OP - Giving birth alone or even with friends around can be a sad and lonely time, not to mention scary if it's your first child -- I had my first and only child practically alone b/c my baby was few weeks early - drove myself to the hospital, and the hubby who finally got a job after being unemployed for the first three years of our marriage was traveling. I was so unhappy in my marriage that I was withdrawn and didn't make contingency plans or think ahead as you're doing so kudos to you! I agree that having the hubby around, especially if you've been having problems as I was, does not help and may actually annoy the hell out of you as it could have been for me. I did have my mother who came in the day after delivery and she stayed with me for seven weeks -- which was wonderful (despite the fact that we didn't get along that well before) b/c I was scared to death of being a new mom and she really stepped up for me -- while the hubby was useless. I have to say however, that I have never felt such profound sense of sadness/ loneliness b/c I was alone at the hospital for most of the labor despite having a great nurse and few of my friends there - but it could be also b/c I didn't feel like I could share that magical moment in my life with that special person (talk about too many romance novels and fairy tales), who's suppose to be your husband/partner in theory -- since I was unhappy with my marriage to a point that when I was 20 weeks, actually thought about terminating the pregnancy... anyway, six years later, this experience continues to impact me and makes me sad -- not to mention I should have divorced the sob long ago, who I'm still married to -- but that's another issue/story...

anyway, hope this helps in planning ahead for you --

[Anonymous]

I had a friend and the mid-wives. I had hired a doula, but she left on vacation the same day In hindsight, I would have rather had a doula (who takes care of you both during and after) and the mid-wife when it was time for them to "catch" the baby and left the clue-less friend part out. You are so in the birthing groove that your peripheral vision is completely blind, nothing else matters. So, if there is a doula who knows how to give gentle support without interfering and when to help and when not to - that would be perfect.