Has anyone gone thru labor and the birth of their baby without a labor partner? What was your experience? I'm asking because I'm due in a 6 weeks and I plan on giving birth alone. I'm having a hospital birth so there will be nurses and a doctor there of course, but I don't plan to have any friends or family or even the baby's dad in the room with me. My mom will be at home caring for my 6 year old and the FOB and I are not together. If I called him to come to the hospital for the birth he would be there but I really don't want him there. The few people I have told this to think I'm nuts. I really don't want any visitors either. If my mom would bring my daughter to the hospital to see her new sister that would be awesome, but other than that I just want to be alone with my new baby, getting to know each other and learning to breast feed...
Dont let anyone tell u ur nuts just because u want some privacy and u want to bond with ur new baby! You do what you want and what you think is best for you girl...everyone may not understand just yet...but give them time i dont think they'd hold it against you...
If you really think it's best for you, then I say go for it. But maybe have someone close oncall just incase things get scarey or something and you decide you need someone.
It's definately fine to not want any visitors. I wish I hadn't had any. Definately use that time to sleep and breastfeed pretty much nothing else.
I agree that as long as you're sure it's what you want, it's just fine! Personally, I liked having my mom there through my labor and c-section because she comforted me when things weren't going as planned, and she remembered things that I didn't so she could tell me later! As well, when I had my c-section I had to be in recovery for about an hour so she and my dad stayed with Gavin.
No visitors sounds completely normal :) Will the baby be staying in your room? If not, you *might* get bored. Or you might just get some great sleep!
I think it's totally fine to want to do this alone, and you're totally capable of handling it.
The only reservation I have in saying "go for it" is this: the US has a really high rate of unnecessary c-sections right now, and I don't know what your stance on medical intervention is, but if you want to have a vaginal delivery, your chances of doing that are much higher if you have an advocate there, because labor makes you confused and spacey and you are more likely to have interventions pushed on you when you're by yourself.
Have you considered a doula? There are many doulas who will work with teen moms for free, and I suggest this because they can offer you the knowledge and support to get through the labor without any of the personal ties that come with friends and family. Also, with a doula working FOR you and having no vested interest in your baby, she's gonna step out the second you want her to. I read that even when a doula is doing nothing but standing in the room watching, there is still a statistically significant drop in the rate of c-sections.
If you are interested in that option, I'd be happy to help you look into it. If not, you'll still be fine on your own.
If you're wanting to read some info...check out sites about Unassisted Childbirth or Freebirth. Now, while you're not birthing without a caregiver, the emotional aspect seems to be the same as you'rr wanting with many UCers. Many don't even tell their partner they're in labor & send him/family away from home.
You're not crazy or nuts.
Me I like to have my back rubbed and counter pressure. I have back labor.
Also, a doula would sit outside of your room from start to finish if you wanted the option of someone coming when asked, but staying away when asked also.
I'd love to hear your birth story. And, just out of curiosity....if your need to birth without spectators has something to do with your past birth experience...people in and out...not listening/respecting your wishes...a doula is also able to be the 'bad guy'...I've kicked many out of a birthing room for moms' piece of mind. And, when my daughter was born..I empowered one of the nurses to do that for me and no one but my husband was in there...not even the nurse/doc unless I called for one.
Ben was useless for knowing where to touch, but his eyes got me through, so I'll have a doula(!) with the next baby. We're planning a uc or unassisted homebirth. So, i do understand wanting privacy. I don't want all the vag exams and I don't want anyone to touch the baby/ies until they've "grounded" even my husband.
Honey
I don't see anything wrong with wanting to labor and deliver alone. BD was there when I gave birth, but he may as well have not been. I didn't need him and he didn't do anything to help. I had a nurse grab one leg and BD grabbed the other when it was time to push, but it could have easily been 2 nurses. I think that was the only time he participated, other than cutting the cord.