Oh I forgot to add that I didnt use any specific technique for labor, I felt like a hypnobirthing or something would lessen the true experience, it would be unnatural, I wanted to experience the whole birth how birth was meant to be. My labor was 10hrs, not super short or long, and transition wasnt as bad as I thought it would be. There was only 1 other person at my labor besides my midwife and DH, that was a friend who is home birther, sort of a doula. She is a massage therapist and she massaged my back for me, which is what helped more than I could ever say. If I didnt have someone to rub my back, I couldnt have done it I dont think. So, my advice, have someone to rub your back fairly hard, that's all :) Have a cool, relaxed and comfortable environment- for example, throughout my labor it was all of us telling stories, mostly funny one's, and just talking/visiting. There was no worry or anything, just like friends visiting, then I'd have a contraction and everyone would wait for it to pass, and then pick up the conversation where they left off! The interesting coversation helped keep my mind busy, laughing helps with pain, and not going in to it expecting extreme pain really helps! Knowing it is do-able, and that just being in your own comfortable environment really lessens the pain helps. Labor pain is unlike any other pain, it is there for a reason, you are not being harmed, so it is not that sort of pain. You know instinctively that this is normal, I'm cool with it. Sleep while u can at the beginning, and eat. Right at transition I just felt I needed something, I was a little hungry, and not feeling like this was going to work. I asked for a bowl of yogurt, and as soon as I ate it I felt way better and completed transition and pushed the baby out rather quickly! Lol. You never know what your labor will be like but whatever you're feeling just go with it, trust that you will know what to do when the time comes. You don't need a bunch of techniques to deal with it or anything, just get into whatever position u can imagine and if it helps, great, if not, try again! Labor will never be comfortable or pleasant (I dont think) but just going with what comes completely natural- your home and your choice of position and labor activities- makes so much of a difference
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