re: I am getting SCARED

Quoting ✩BG Addict✩:" oh, don't say that. you don't know how much pain you can take until you go into labor. you'd be surprised how much you can actually deal with. if you really want natural i really encourage that. i went as natural as i could. it was a wonderful experience. i would do it all over again if i could.


don't feel bad or anything if you can't though. going natural isn't for everybody. what i would do is go in with an open mind. think "hey, i may get an epidural, i may not." don't let anyone pressure you either way. it's your body, your baby, your decision.."

I would love to experience childbirth again! The feeling during and after was amazing! However, we are happy with two children and I really don't want to experience early pregnancy (morning sickness) or life with a newborn again  .

Oh and to answer your questions their is nothing that can really prepare you for labor it is unlike anything you have ever experienced. Try to remember that once the baby is out the pain stops it is just gone!! Also let SO know that he needs to listen to you and you may not be acting like yourself, for example I didn't want my DH to touch me at all!! Also make sure your SO is not squeamish and freaked easily because watching your baby come out is not pretty. If he is squeamish keep him by your head and let him know that if he needs to sit down to sit down. Watching my nephew be born I admit I had to sit down a few times lol. Also make sure you have a plan of what you want but realize labor is unpredictable and therefore you need to be flexible and adaptable.

Quoting ✩BG Addict✩:" my suggestion to your SO is that while in labor you are ALWAYS right and to do what you say. if you say ... [snip!] ... bad as i thought it was going to be. sure it hurt like hell, but it was manageable. i didn't have an Epi either. Good luck!"

^^ this. and contractions(sp?) were the worst part, for me pushing her out was easy. i was all natural too because i went so fast. word of advise if you wanna go natural, dont go in the first sign of contractions lol i stayed home till i was 4cm, then went from 4 to 10 in five mins when i got to the hospital at 3:35am, had her in 20 mins because i had to wait for the doctor

Quoting Roe23:" There is so much you can do to reduce the pain without using pain medication (if that's what you want ... [snip!] ... but kneeling, sitting on an exercise ball, leaning over, or in the tub, they were very tolerable and sometimes, even enjoyable."

What and who is a doula? Never heard of that in my life! Is that a MW?

<blockquote><b>Quoting shelbylynn [29 WEEKS!]:</b>" So I'm assuming you would recommend a birthing class? The one we have here is almost 200$ and I'm willing to pay if it will be worth it in the end. It's a 2 day program that lasts about 10 hours "</blockquote>




I loved my birthing class, I found it really useful. My class was only $60 a couple though. If you don't want to pay that much I'm sure you could find the info online as well. Some of the most useful information was breathing techniques, coping techniques (like finding a spot to concentrate on during a contraction) but they also taught us a ton of ways that your SO could help you like calming massage and other ways. I think if anything it helped me more because it helped my husband so much. So I would say its worth it.

Also I read that you want to go all natural. The class gave some awesome techniques to help do so. I went as long as I could natural. I labored for 19 hours, and didn't get the epidural until hour 12 I think. If you end up getting one its not the end of the world. The result is the same, you'll still have a gorgeous tiny human that's all yours.

Quoting mom2hailey&leah:" I am with you on this! I am starting to get scared now that it is getting closer! Last week I had horrible ... [snip!] ... remember exactly how painful labor was! I went home and told my husband I am not ready she can stay in as long as she wants!!!"

I haven't had any BH yet (thankfully) but my back pain is taking a toll on me.... I am so screwed. lol.

Quoting Liam + 40 Weeks....:" <blockquote><b>Quoting ✩BG Addict✩:</b>" oh, don't say that. you don't ... [snip!] ... of it happening. I was in so much pain that I literally dont remember labor. My mind blocked it out. But I didn't pass out."

that's funny becuse parts of my labor are fuzzy. i figured it was because my adrenaline was going or soemthing.

i didn't pass out either....i did puke towards the end (the only time i puked my whole pregnancy lol), but didn't come close to passing out.

Quoting Boobie On Demand:" <blockquote><b>Quoting shelbylynn [29 WEEKS!]:</b>" So I'm assuming you would recommend ... [snip!] ... up getting one its not the end of the world. The result is the same, you'll still have a gorgeous tiny human that's all yours."

I definitely have no problem getting an epi, I just heard recovery is A LOT easier after going natural

Quoting Liam + 40 Weeks....:" <blockquote><b>Quoting ✩BG Addict✩:</b>" oh, don't say that. you don't ... [snip!] ... of it happening. I was in so much pain that I literally dont remember labor. My mind blocked it out. But I didn't pass out."

I have a tendency to faint when I'm in pain so hopefully I don't!

<blockquote><b>Quoting shelbylynn [29 WEEKS!]:</b>" I definitely have no problem getting an epi, I just heard recovery is A LOT easier after going natural "</blockquote>




Really? I had no problem with recovery. After he was out, they stitched me up and did all they had to do. Then we had some family time, I fed him, then when they came to get him to take him to the nursery for tests and all that I was able to walk around no problem. I don't know if that's how it is for everyone, but I was fine.

Quoting shelbylynn [29 WEEKS!]:" I definitely have no problem getting an epi, I just heard recovery is A LOT easier after going natural "

i absolutely HATE needles, so the Epidural wasn't an option for me. haha

i seen my niece in labor (she had an epi), and i was sooooooo mad lol i was like is THIS what it's like when you have pain meds?? she was just laying there. no real pain in her face. she mostly was asleep.
i wasl ike i want some of that next time! haha buuuuut i am scared of needles, so i won't lol

<blockquote><b>Quoting ✩BG Addict✩:</b>" i absolutely HATE needles, so the Epidural wasn't an option for me. haha i seen my niece in labor (she ... [snip!] ... her face. she mostly was asleep. i wasl ike i want some of that next time! haha buuuuut i am scared of needles, so i won't lol"</blockquote>




Getting the IV was worse than the epi for me haha. And it was amazing, I loved being able to sleep. I was out. I slept through several checks and them moving me around. It was glorious haha.

Quoting shelbylynn [29 WEEKS!]:" I definitely have no problem getting an epi, I just heard recovery is A LOT easier after going natural "

Recovery really depends on the person. It's the worse part for me, I've had two second degree tears now lol.

That being said I have an extreme low pain tolerance, I faint for needles. When I get hurt my pale completion gets even paler, I get dizzy, and on occasion have fainted. I've had two natural births, one hospital, and one home water birth.. I have back labor, so pain is all in my back.

For both labors I was talking through the contractions. This was a problem with first as Doctor didn't think I was in active labor as I was talking to her on the phone. Went to hospital when I started shaking, was 9cm dilated lol. Second labor was at home chatting and joking with husband, daughter, midwives, and SIL during it. Pushing was a relief, crowning stung, but then baby was in my arms few mins. later.

Quoting shelbylynn [29 WEEKS!]:" What and who is a doula? Never heard of that in my life! Is that a MW? "

Nope, a midwife is a trained, medial professional and can be the primary care.

A doula is a support person. One description I've heard is that she 'mothers the mother'. There is a lot of information online if you do a search.

Quoting Boobie On Demand:" <blockquote><b>Quoting ✩BG Addict✩:</b>" i absolutely HATE needles, so ... [snip!] ... I loved being able to sleep. I was out. I slept through several checks and them moving me around. It was glorious haha."

The IV was, by far, the worst part of my first labour. I'm scared of needles so I researched how to avoid them and discovered something wonderful  .