To those who have given birth already:

[ccasanova]

What advice do you have for going thru labor for the rest of us mamas who haven't had our babies yet? I find myself exited, but a bit scared sometimes at going through labor for the first time without an epi. Mainly worried, about how tough it will be, if I'll cope, etc. But then after I think of the bads, I remember to remind myself of the goods. That my mind is very powerful and has more control than my body. That I CAN do this, and it will be wonderful, exiting, fun, peaceful, gratifying, enpowering, etc. Still any advice on stuff that helped you would be greatly appreciated! :

[honeybee]

I found it helped to have a mantra. Mine was "Gentle" this time, because ds2's birth had been so fast and intense. It worked. Taegan's birth was still swift, but much more gentle. Also, it helped to remind myself that labor wouldn't last forever! You can also think "I am strong. I can do this."

It's also good to have lots of options for laboring. I felt my contractions really low, and they radiated down into my butt and pelvis. So, sitting on the birth ball felt so much better than even standing or kneeling. The birth pool also helped a lot... the contractions still hurt, but I didn't feel like my pelvis was going to snap in two. And birthing in water was awesome... so much better than on land. I'm so glad I finally had a waterbirth!

[srneda78]

Originally Posted by honeybee

The birth pool also helped a lot... the contractions still hurt, but I didn't feel like my pelvis was going to snap in two. And birthing in water was awesome... so much better than on land. I'm so glad I finally had a waterbirth!

You have such helpful tips.

I'm having my first soon and have been debating about waterbirth. MW says it's up to me. I'm definitely laboring in water. I love being in water and reading your post makes me think I will just plan to stay in there to deliver baby girl...then again, I may change my mind in the middle of it all! Who knows!?

[gagirl2008]

Very good question! I'm all ears!

[Montse]

I totally agree - great question! How many of the postpartum moms drank RRL tea regularly and used EPO? Did it make a difference? I'm doing the hypbirth program and my midwife said her patients who go through hypnobabies or hypbirth do really well!
I'm eager for responses!

:

[Gremco]

When it gets tough, just get through one breath at a time. Don't even worry about one contraction, just take as small of steps as you can. Also, remember that the midwives are trying to help you, so listening to them is a good thing.

[ccasanova]

Originally Posted by Montse

How many of the postpartum moms drank RRL tea regularly and used EPO? Did it make a difference? :

Is EPO for used for something else other than bringing on labor? I thought that was all it was for...

[Emily's Mama]

when it's intense then moaning/vocalising in a low tone with the peak of contractions as loud as your body wants you to. Once I got over (briefly) feeling a bit self-conscious about it, this helped me soooo much.

[guestmama9920]

you cant control everything, remember that

and stick to your guns

[honeybee]

I drank RRL starting around 36 weeks. I never did get around to buying some EPO, although it was on my list.

[cellarstella]

As far as labor goes, my advice is to be with the labor, be with your baby, don't focus too much on getting to the end. Just go through the process and then surprise! you'll be at the end. Even a 36 hr labor ends with a surprised feeling of holding a new baby!

[Montse]

Originally Posted by cellarstella

As far as labor goes, my advice is to be with the labor, be with your baby, don't focus too much on getting to the end. Just go through the process and then surprise! you'll be at the end. Even a 36 hr labor ends with a surprised feeling of holding a new baby!

Good advice, Laura!

[NewTennMom]

My advice... Hmmm.... Well, first off, the biggest thing I can say is just know you may NOT get exactly what you want out of your birth experience. I think knowing that and accepting that is a big part of having a positive birth experience.

For me, the recovery was a lot worse then I had imagined. I am sure its probably not the same for everyone, but I wished I was a little more prepaired for it. Things hurt like I never thought they would.

But once its all over, you can sit back and enjoy your new addition to your family.

[ryansma]

Originally Posted by cellarstella

As far as labor goes, my advice is to be with the labor, be with your baby, don't focus too much on getting to the end. Just go through the process and then surprise! you'll be at the end. Even a 36 hr labor ends with a surprised feeling of holding a new baby!

Such great advice.
I would add to try to have as few expectations as possible. Just take every bit as it comes knowing that you will soon meet your baby.

Listen to your body and don't be afraid to do what feels right to you. I never thought I would be so solitary in labor but I was very focused on what I was doing and needed silence and I didn't want anyone touching me. I would have never thought I would be that way but I was and I wasn't afraid to say so and my labor progressed unhindered.

I highly recommend RRL tea or a mixture that includes it. My midwives sell a tea that includes rrl, nettles, passion flower, and a few other things that I can't remember right now. I started drinking it around 20 weeks. My labor with ds1 was close to 30 hours, ds2 was 5 hours. I also took EPO but only orally twice a day after 37 weeks. It is supposed to help soften your cervix, for whoever asked.

[ryansma]

Oh and I watched tons of homebirths on YouTube - there was a thread a while back with people's favorites. I kept telling myself if they could do it I could do it. It sounds so simple but it really helped me to remind myself that there was nothing that said I couldn't and that if they could have the birth they wanted so could I. So ladies, if I can do it you can do it.

[moderngal]

I definitely had the feeling that I couldn't do it, it was too much, etc. And then I reminded myself that I asked for this- I wanted this experience. I told myself I could do it and I focused on that feeling of getting the baby out- how once the baby comes out, everything feels better. And it did.

Listen to your body and don't be afraid to do what feels right to you.

yes!! trust your body. follow your instincts- your body knows what to do.

[stephck]

I agree that lisening to your body is important...and letting go of being self conscious. You can't push out a baby and hold in poop at the same time. I was also suprised by what labor positions worked for me. I was most comfortable standing...despite months of prenatal yoga using hands and knees and squats theybdidn't feel right for me during labor (don't get me wrong--i know they were helpful) i also pushed in side lying which later suprised me too but it worked for my body. during pushing I just listened to my body it was almost more about relaxing than actively pushing,I bellowed through it and my uterous pushed and I could feel the baby moving down so I knew it was right. (I can't imagine being told how and when to push or holding my breath during pushing) Our bodies know the work of labor, the challenge is to keep our heads quiet.

sorry about typos, trying to master one handed typing while nursing