Labouring experience

Not only are no two women alike no two births are alike. My first born took 3 hours 45 minutes from the first sign of labor (my water breaking) till she was delivered. I had cramps, my husband freaked and took me to the hospital. If no one had told me I wouldn't have known I was in labor till 10 minutes before she was born. Took one push. The second one, was the longest 8 hours of cramping, called the doctor, he said get to the hospital that one never did get bad, one push again she was out, second child born doctor not in scrubs. Placenta didn't seperate though would rather deliver sextuplets natural then go through that again. Third child stubborn even before birth two weeks late, doctor started labor, she was star gazing, two hours twenty minutes later she was born, cord wrapped around her throat twice, nurses pushing her back in till doctor got there. Forth was butt first breech had to be delivered c-section, spinal block didn't work, felt the entire surgery (you definately do not want to opt for this type of delivery) Last one don't remember how long I was in labor around 6 or 7 hours I think, baby was stressed, heart stopped and they forced the delivery when I was only dialated to 7, only one I had to push twice. By far the most painful, every contraction it felt like the insision from the c-section was going to tear wide open. Mother nature is a great gal though once the deliveries were over it was like ok I know that hurt like there's no tomorrow but you forget how horrid the pain was as soon as you see your baby. Congratulations and good luck. Walk a lot and climb a bunch of stairs makes it easier.

With both of my kids I went into labor very early in the morning - on my husbands first day back to work after his week off. My first labor there were complications that my doctor had missed, so I knew right off that I was in labor (I had no fluid to cushion the contractions). My second labor was completely different - the nurse at the hospital didn't even believe I was in labor (but then again she was the same nurse who ignored me for an hour when I told her there was a problem with my 1st). One thing I remember from both of my labors is the urge to go poo about every 20 minutes. I nested big time with both of them in the day or 2 before I went into labor and slept a lot the day before, and went to the hospital a couple of hours after the contractions started - and my water broke with both of them - I have a friend who has had 3 babies, and has never had her water break on it's own. Everyone is different, there are no two women or labors that are the same. Just try and stay relaxed - it really helps - with my second I knew that we were going to have a c-section so I was completely relaxed because I already knew exactly what was going to happen, and I knew that I wasn't going to be faced with any surprises. I laid in bed and watched cartoons with my daughter until my doctor made it in while I dialated to 7cm with less pain than I normally have from menstral cramps. And listen to your instincts - if you feel like something isn't right - make someone check it out. Congratulations!

When I had my first baby I was a bit scared but not so scared as I was so ready to just have the baby. I was open to whatever would happen meaning, I did want to have it be as stress free as possible and I was for sure having the Epidural I was not going to go all natural because I know myself and I get so stressed when I am dealing with a feeling I can not control, and for me being in pain does not make me relaxed. Anyway, I was actually late in giving birth, but I started to have these weird feelings like I had stomach problems or something, I had to go to the bathroom a lot, then I started to feel the contractions, they did not hurt but I felt the tightness for at least 60 seconds and they were 5 minutes a part. I freaked but luckily we were close to the hospital. I was willing to deal with a c-section if necessary, I just wanted the baby to be safe. The contractions were tough to deal with not painful just took my breath away when they would happen....and trying to get sleep when you are contracting is near impossible. Finally I got an epidural which helped me get some sleep. Probably within 5 hours of having the epidural they finally broke my water - I went from a 6 to a 10 in an instant, the epidural wore off and I was freaking. They did give me more epidural which was great I was never in any pain....I could feel my body want to push though, it was not painful it was just a strange feeling... I pushed for 35 minutes WHICH WAS VERY TOUGH, I played sports and ran a lot, but this was the hardest to do and I do not know how some women do this for 2 hours...It was hard for me and I only did it for 35 minutes. boom she was out...I felt her shoulders come out of me and her body but not so much her head at all. I did not feel that at all.... It was absolutely the greatest experience of my life and I was blessed to have such a great and easy labor and delivery. The key is to just go with the flow, if you can be relaxed for natural deliver go ahead, but frankly for me, Epidrual is what I wanted and I got it and that made me happy. Happy mom equals Happy Baby. I have two happy girls.

Because every one is different I hope you took pre natal classes, because there are some women who never experience labour pains, I was one of those all I had was a very bad back ache, fortunately my doctor was in the hospital and I as as well at that time he said lets have a look see, and I was laying on the table while he was washing his hands, I gave one good push and he caught my son with wet soapy hands. So I do not want to worry you but read as much as you can and if you even think you are in labour, go to the hospital, the worst that can happen is they will send you home.

Though each one of us had a different experience in labour, I could say that if you feel the pain you've never felt before then that's it. Your things should be ready before the d-day and that don't focus on the pain alone but on the fact that you'll gonna met your beloved child. If you focus on the pain, chances are you'll be afraid to get pregnant again. Anyway, all the pain will gone after the doctor put the baby on your tummy. Just do what the doctor told you to do. Good luck!

... i just gave birth to my third baby ten days ago so the experience is still fresh in my memory. I was confident that I could handle the labour pains because i knew what i was expecting but no, the pain was unbearable and i could feel my body shaking from the pain... i hope i'm not scaring you but it is very painful but you can handle it, we, women are a very tough breed, we're tougher than we think... ... just don't forget to pray for a safe delivery and think of your baby always... ... you're about to meet your baby you've waited for ... be strong ...

Congrats. When the labour pains begin you will know automatically.They start slowly and as the time comes near the intensity increases.You need to control your breathing.Since it is your first baby the pain can be unnerving but donot worry it is worth the trouble when you will see your child. So enjoy the last days of pregnancy.Ask your doctor for breathing exercises.