pls share your story when you gave birth for the 1st time

Well first of all, you shouldn't listen to everyone else's stories. Every pregnancy and delivery is different. The second thing you should do is do a lot of research on natural pain management techniques for labor. If you go to the hospital full of knowledge about ways to handle the pain, you will be more likely to be able to deliver naturally. Then thirdly express your wishes and concerns to your doctor ahead of time. Having him/her on your side can make a big difference. As for my labor stories, I'll keep it as short as I can. I have given birth six times. The pushing time was the longest with my first, which is normal but total labor time from the first contraction until her birth was under 11 hours. I was unforunately over medicated so I barely remember anything about it. My second labor totalled 8 hours wih only a 1/2 at most of pushing. I did have one dose of pain medication that lasted from about hour 4 to hour 6 but that was it. My third labor lasted about 7 1/2 hours and she was born with one push. I was given some medication right before I delivered so it didn't take effect until after the birth. My fourth labor was my only difficult one. I was given pitocin to speed things along which normally causes sudden, intense contractions. It in' make anything go faster and m doctor was hesitant o star me on pain medication because she kept insisting I would deliver "any minute". My total labor was 16 1/2 hours, the last 5 hours were with the pitocin and I can definitely say they were painful. My fifth delivery also took a long time but I had made it clear that I did no want an induction unless the baby was in danger. My doctor abided by my wishes and I delivered with a total of 3 pushes (he was 21 inches long and 8 1/2 pounds) and only one dose of pain medication. My last labor lasted 19 hours. I spent the first 17 at home. I was sitting in bed at the hospital talking to my doctor and nurses right up until the final contraction...and even during hat I was talking, telling them that the baby was coming NOW. He was born without me actively pushing and I didn't have any pain medication at all. Another thing you might like to know is that not once for any of my deliveries did I need an episiotomy or stitches, I had no tearing at all. Good Luck! If you really want a natural delivery then just BELIEVE you can do it. Remember too that even a long labor is really only a very short amount of time compared to your whole life.

Hi! Congratulations on your upcoming baby. I had the same mixed emotions when I was pregnant. Partly, because I couldn't feel the baby move inside my tummy until the fourth month. Once you have your first sonogram and see that baby moving around inside you, your perceptions and feelings will change for the positive. That is what happened to me. Just seeing her inside my tummy made me feel so connected and empowered. You will feel the same I am sure. As far as pain goes, there are many pain relieving options available. I went through induced labor and of course that is way more painful than natural labor, because the entire labor process goes very quickly and puts much distress on both mother and baby. Sometimes, it's necessary to go this route with first babies as it was with me. You could opt for an epidural after you dilate 3 cm, that's when most hospitals use them. I can tell you from experience that the entire labor process became pleasant after my epidural went in. They decided to do a cesarean (c-section) and that went smoothly as well. Do what feels right for you. But, don't be afraid to ask for pain meds or something to take the pain away. One of the things that made my very early contractions go away was to change position or lie on my left side and raise my right knee as high as possible. Worked like a charm and made each contraction last less than ten seconds. Staying in one spot on your back with the baby pressing down against your spine will prove to be the most painful, so if possible get up and change positions often and walk around if you are allowed. The pain of delivery can be very intense if you decide to go with a natural birth, but it is not unmanageable. Some women say that a warm shower relaxes them during labor, so that might help you as well. My best advice would be to be prepared and get lots of sleep before you go into the hospital, because when delivery comes around you may not have much time to rest. Best of luck with your little one and be blessed!

dont worry to much about it you will be fine. when i had my daughter i was in labour about 8 hours but it flew by so fast it didnt seem that long at all. i was like you worring about what it would be like and how much it will hurt but it wasnt that bad at all i think having the first is easy. i had a normal birth with my first and had gas and air for pain relief just have a chat with your midwife about pain relief and try not to worry so much everything will be ok.

Hi brand4less. Congratulation mummy! I know when it comes to stories of giving birth, you will hear all sort of story from mummies who has gone through it. But the good news is no one has the exact same labor and deliveries experiences. Some may have long labor and some may have short labor. Rest assures that with all the modern medical technology, giving birth can be a beautiful experience. I have three boys and I have all of them by C-section. I did experience labor pain with my second son. I endured 13 hours of labor pain but finally I opted for C-section which I regretted very much. The labor was painful and long for me. It was not the labor pain that influenced my decision to have the C-section. but it was because I did not get the support from my husband and I went through it alone. I was mentally prepared to face the labor pain at the time. All I can tell you now is you can talk to your doctor about ways how to lessen your labor pain if you decide to have normal birth. I think the most popular option is epidural. For now, just take good care of your health and your baby by eating nutritional foods, take your antenatal vitamins and dont miss your antenatal visits to your doctor. Enjoy every minute of your pregnancy. Cheers

I have four kids and each birth was totally different. My first was a shock but really not as painful as everybody made out. I'm terrible with pain, ask my dentist!! The begining was like painful cramps that I get every month. I managed to get through this by being as busy as I could, just some light chores, sorting out the babys clothes, dusting around the apartment, things to take my mind off things. When things got more intense but before the hospital I got in a nice warm bath (don't do this if your water has broken), I got hubby to rub my back which helped a lot. Then off to the hospital, things got really intense, the pain kept flowing through me but with hubby massaging my hands and head (didn't want my stomach or back touched then) and talking to me encouraging me I got through it. Pushing was the worst part. The doctor cut me, which is normal here in Japan, it is easier than tearing. That was maybe the worst part!! As the baby crowned I was expecting to feel a burning pain because all the books I had read said to expect that but nothing. I found out later that sometimes the baby pushes on the nerves and numbs them. Once the head was born, after two or three pushes, it was easy, just one more push and my son was born. At the time I said that was it, no more. I was sick through out my pregnancy and I felt that the labour was terrible. But within a week I had forgottem everything and already planning another. Mixed feelings are normal in pregnancy, your body is going through an incredible change and hormones are all over the place. If you can keep a diary. I've kept a diary since I was a teenager, and reading back on my pregnancy and births is really special. Take care of yourself and your little one, I hope everything goes well for you.

Congratulations!!! You are going to love every step of this preganancy as long as everything goes well. I was the same way.. nervous about giving birth. In the end (only 5 months ago) I came to realize that it was not that bad. I had a long labour (56 hours) which at times the contractions were hard and others they were nothing to complain about. When it was time to have my little girl (I gave birth at 41 weeks- 1 week late) I made sure I was going to get an epideral (GODS GIFT..lol) and she was here within 20 mintues of pushing. Now, it was tough but what do you expect - like they say a watermelon coming out a hole the size of a lemon. I would do it all again, the same way. I also want to comment and say, I have to laugh now when my friends tell me that they were in so much pain giving birth to a 6-7 lbs baby. My little girl weighed in at 9lbs 5 oz when she was born. You can deal with it.... it's all in the mind and if you tell yourself you can do it, you know you can.