It all began in 1990. the birth of my Mia. I was young, 19 and very scared. After 14 days past my due date, my doc decided to induce using pitosin . After 8 hrs they decided to send me home, it wasn't working. I remember wanting to go home, there was my moms potato salad in the fridge. Almost as soon as we got home, the contractions started. I really had a bad reaction to the pitosin. I had hard labor for 17hrs. I remember begging for drugs, and a c-section. Even with the drugs I could still feel the contractions. But, instant relief after birth, and what a good latcher. For my second baby I went into labor myself, and waited all night to go to the hospital. I was relaxed, and breathing through my contractions. I had my water broken at 11am and began pushing an hour later. I had no drugs, not by choice, but because it was too late when the pain became intense. Mallory was born, and such a joy. Good sleeper, sweet disposition. My 3rd baby was 10yrs later. It had a tragic ending. I found out at 36 weeks Guido had no heartbeat. I gave birth to him after a 3 day induction, in the breech position. Once again I did have drugs. I was allowed anything I wanted because he was already gone. Because he wasn't head down, he was not pressing on my cervix, and it took days to dialate. It was truly a horrifying experience. On Feb 13, 2002, I gave birth to Angelo, my sweet boy. Because of my last experience, the docs were willing to let me be induced a little early. Because it was 37 1/2 weeks, I had to have amnio to check for lung maturity. I was lucky he was ready. The next morning i checked in the hospital, had a gel treatment and an hour later my water broken. I did have an epidural when my contractions were comming every minute and I was only 4cm. I did end up going so fast. We started at 7am he was born at 4pm. I will say this. For me at least. The pain is worse, labor, contractions when I had pitosin and the gel. It would have been tortue to not have meds. If I would ever have another baby, I would like to try going into labor myself and breathing the way I did with number 2. But after having a stillborn, I'm just glad to have 3 healthy children. The birth is not that important.. Its the outcome that matters. 
