A question to Mommies...

Unless some emergency type thing happens you'll be perfectly fine! First labors...and normal labors in general... often start out slow and take at least a few hours. You'll have plenty of time to do what you need to do. Labor isn't a horrific experience...I suppose for some it might be but that's not typical. The most intense part happens at the very end and even then some women can remain completely calm and clear headed. I can say that active labor does tend to make you want to move more slowly so for ease you'll want to have everything ready and close to the door so you don't have to walk so much. As long as your bag is light you should be fine carrying it but you might want to keep it on a shelf or table top that's high enough so you don't need to bend down and low enough you don't need to stretch to reach it. It doesn't hurt exactly to do those things but it is more uncomfortable and if a contraction hits while in that position it's hard to move. But generally those type of contractions don't happen until you're a little farther along in your labor. You'll have plenty on consciousness while in labor (unless you take certain pain medications while at the hospital). Labor doesn't really affect your body that way unless you want it to. I was alert and talking right up until the pushing...and even during it...with most of my babies. You might to to look up videos of actual births. I'm sure there are plenty out there that will ease your mind about things.

Do you know what hospital you will be delivering at? I would tell them immediately what is going on in your life and they may have something already set up for just this sort of situation. I don't know if you would like the idea of being induced but that is an option for someone in your situation. I would definitely tell your doctor, tell the people out front tell anyone you can in that office or clinic that you are going to for your care. Someone has to know something. You are not the first woman to go this alone. I rode a city bus to the hospital when I was in labor with my last child (me and hubby were on the outs). Nobody knew till we were at the front door cause I didn't want the driver to panic and call an ambulance (which may be an option for you).

Sounds like you have everything all planned out. You will be fine...the first baby usually takes quite a while to arrive, so you will have the time to get to the hospital. Good luck to you.

Your concerns are something every new mom to be goes through. No matter what you envision, it will probably turn out to be something totally different. Just relax and enjoy your pregnancy. It's a beautiful and amazing time in your life. I was very afraid, but my doctor always told me to relax and that giving birth should be a pleasant exciting experience with minimal discomfort. That really helped relax me, knowing that he was going to help me get through. Turns out, I went into labor when he was out of town and ended up with a doctor I'd never even seen before. I had to call this stranger at 3 in the morning and then I got stuck in a traffic mess on the way. My husband forgot the camera so he left me off like a delivery and went back home. It took him 3 hrs to return due to traffic! Despite all that could go wrong (and did, everyone at the hospital was so reassuring that I felt good. In the end, everything turned out great now we look back at the experience with fond memories. Everyone is different and every labor is different too. You will not be alone! Congratulations on your soon to be baby!

I also was very worried about giving birth to my first, but when it happened I thought "what was I so worried about, this isn't so bad". I don't think you'll have any problems as long as everything stays normal. I could of done what your talking about doing easily, just with breaks during each contraction. You will know when your in labor and you will have plenty of time beings that it's for first. Relax about it, it will flow smoothly for you, getting worked up about anything when your pregnant causes stress not only on you, but also that baby, then you risk having problems. So relax....God will take care of it all....after all it's his Gift to You! Congrats and good luck with that little one.... God Bless!

Its very very unlikely that it will all happen so fast that you get to that unable to move point before youve got to hospital so really dont worry. Not a stupid question at all though but you should have some warning signs that labour is imminent, id check though if taxis will take you most in the UK wont take a woman in labour miserable buggers!

I was worried, too. I didn't know what to expect, and seeing it on TV and in the movies is scary because they make it very dramatic. But reality is rarely dramatic like you see in the movies. When labor started I was very calm, walked around to ease the contractions. My husband was more scared than I was. I took my time, took a shower, called my mom. I was very aware of what was going on, and very at ease. When the time comes, you will probably be calm, too. Even though you've never been through it before, your body just seems to know what to do and will guide you. Have your doctor's phone number next to the phone, and anyone else you may be able to call for help. Have a bag packed ahead of time with a change of clothes for you, a toothbrush, hairbrush, those kinds of things, and an outfit and blanket for the baby. That way you'll be ready to go. Congratulations! Try to relax and enjoy this time.

i think you can always ask a friends help... especially your family... it will make you feel much better and stronger... when i gave birth i was with someone in the room who also gave birth earlier so our beds were really close... she was with her sister in law... then afterwards her siblings came... they were hugging and telling that it will be ok... were here... and tears rolled down her cheeks then... i felt so sorry for her then there was a call from one of her brothers cellphone i think it was their parents... and she was like crying and saying sorry... and then.. saying thank you... i don't know if u have a similar problem but... i hope you won't be alone when you give birth... goodluck... mommy!!!

your intuition will kick in, and you'll know what to do. just trust your body, trust yourself, and trust your baby, and you'll be fine!