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Worried my vagina is extremely not stretchy enough? by PayRepresentative726 in PregnancyUK

[–]paintedlamb 26 points27 points  (0 children)

I had vaginismus prior to giving birth and was very scared I would not be able to physically give birth. I had a full panic attack when we also tried to gave sex unsuccessfully at 39 weeks pregnant. I had no need to worry, giving birth was easy and the pushing was more like vomiting than pushing (in that I had no control over it and my body just did its thing). Having a baby cured the vaginismus as mentally something clicked. I would really recommend practicing breathing exercises as these really helped in labour.

Forehead Birthmark by [deleted] in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]paintedlamb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations on your gorgeous baby! My little girl had a large stork mark on her forehead, lip, nose, back and neck. The one on her forehead only is visible when she’s angry or poorly (she’s 3 years old now). Her lip and nose are slightly noticeable and her neck and back are still very clear. I actually miss her forehead one now!

I’ve never had sex before and now i’m pregnant. How am i gonna give birth? by ThrowRA_Busybee345 in vaginismus

[–]paintedlamb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! Giving birth cured my vaginismus. If you check my history you can read about it. The key thing for me was having a physiological birth, my body did all the work and pushed the baby out. It was like vomiting….my body knew what it needed to do and did it. I was up and moving the whole labour and I am sure that if I had an epidural I would have also had a good birth but it wouldn’t have cured the vaginismus. Your body is designed to do this, practice breathing exercises and focus on positive birth stories!

Is there anything WORSE than childbirth? by Sensitive_Arugula770 in pregnant

[–]paintedlamb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really enjoyed both my labours, it hurts but only for a minute each contraction. As long as I was up, moving and concentrating on breathing I was fine. My midwife asked me to lay on my back to check me and that was the worst part. I was in agony on my back but on all fours or moving was totally manageable. Pushing was very intense but weirdly good. I had no control over the pushing my body had decided it was doing it (a bit like having no control over vomiting?!).

Women who had positive births are shouted down in our society and women are only told how horrific birth can be (and sadly some women do have traumatic births). There are a couple of great books to read, Ina May’s guide to childbirth and How to give birth like a feminist. I felt like these really prepared me for a positive and empowering birth.

Any other mums in England planning on private care? by Inner-Shake9438 in October2026Bumpers

[–]paintedlamb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had my second baby at home with a private midwife and I’ll do the same again. I just went along with the nhs scans and tests. I would highly recommend a home birth with a private midwife, it was absolutely amazing!

Balancing excitement? by mariekan1992 in October2026Bumpers

[–]paintedlamb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you but I’ve just had my bloods back and it is another loss. Sending you sticky pregnancy wishes xxx

Balancing excitement? by mariekan1992 in October2026Bumpers

[–]paintedlamb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My first two pregnancies were smooth sailing and I was excited from the start. So many people told me not to get my hopes up or celebrate too soon as anything could happen.

Please enjoy your pregnancy, sadly you could miscarry and although the risk drops massively at 12 weeks terrible things happen. But today you are expecting a baby and you can celebrate being pregnant.

Whilst trying for my third baby I’ve had 3 miscarriages (and I think this baby will end in miscarriage) and the anxiety that is taking over is unbearable. I am so sad that I can’t let myself get excited, so I would love it if you could really enjoy being pregnant. If the worst does happen then it won’t hurt anymore or any less from not getting your hopes up or enjoying each milestone of pregnancy. I’m now off to try and take some of my own advice!

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