scared of labor!

[kaliQ]

I am due in 10 days, a mixture of anticipation and fear! Im so scared about natural birth and contractions. I just want to know how bad the pain really is and how long is labor? Please share your experiences, it would mean a lot to a ftm!

[kaliQ]

Thanks again! I passed my mucous plug this morning so I know that labor should be coming soon! I love reading all of your stories, hard or easy, I feel so much more prepared to face it. Enjoy your precious bundles, I really can't wait to join you all =D and I will remeber to breathe, practice the 5~1~1and be prepared for an epidural if needed.

[Helenk38]

The 5-1-1 rule. When contraction is 5min apart, lasting 1min each time and you have been having them for over 1 hour. Off to the hospital you go.
I was in early labor for over 20 hours at home with contraction over 10 min apart, get down to 7 min and back to 10 min again. Call the doctor and was told that shouldn't happen and I'm not really in labor. But I know I am so when it gets to 5 min I went to the hospital. Better safe than sorry.
I was in active labor for 10 hrs and was suggest to get the epidural due to my high blood pressure, which is brought on by the anxiety of going into labor, first baby for me and I was hoping for a nurture birth too. But the epidural was nice plus it help me avoid the c section. My dialation did got stuck at 7cm so they have to induce me. 10 hours after I checked in my baby girl was born. The pushing only took 10 mins or so.
My advice, keep an open mind about the epidural, I was gald I had it so I was able to catch a few hours of sleep in between. Totally needed all the energy to push.
Don't worry. You will be in good hand with all the nurses and doctor tending to you. Good luck :)

[Ari_L_P89]

I just had my girl a few weeks ago. I was induced because of raising blood pressure 8 days before my due date. Induction sucked, and the med made my contractions so close together they had to come turn it down several times. I got stuck at 7cm and had to get the epidural to help my body stop fighting the contractions. Overall I spent 14 hrs in labor and only 10 min pushing. I will say REMEMBER to breath, it really does help

[mother2amonkey]

My labor only lasted about 6 hours with my son. And the first 2 hrs I didn't even know I was in labor. Honestly, I thought I had to poop. Hahaha I Had an epidural. But my contractions to me just felt like pressure. I do suggest laboring as long as u can at home. U are a little more at ease in ur own home. It may help move things alons smoother for u. Congrats to u and good luck! I'm due Jan. 17th with my second boy and I know this time wont be as easy as my last =)

[kaliQ]

Thank you soo much for your responses! It helps alot with my nerves. I will stay at home for most of labor since my doctor told me not to come back until contractions were 5 minutes or less apart. I can't wait to hold my daughter, thank so much. And congratulations to both of you too =)

[chinitaa]

Im also due in 10 days :)

[bery120]

If u go into labor naturally the contractions feel like really bad menstrual cramps and you just have to take your mind somewhere else while they are happening. If you have to be induced the contractions come closer and stronger and you will probably want an epidural to help with the pain. Labor is different for everyone. My 1st  I was in labor for 31 hours and I had to be induced as I was stuck at 3cm and couldn't dialate anymore. No pain meds as i was afraid after they induced it would slow my labor down. 2nd pregnancy no pain meds and went all natural 4.5 hours of labor. 3rd pregnancy had to be induced amniotic fluid low and took 7 hours 54 min. to deliver and i had an epidural for that one because they wouldn't let me walk. My advice to you is to labor at home as long as you can and do a lot of walking or rocking in a chair. Take your mind somewhere else when you are in a contraction and think about holding your little one. You need to make sure you relax when you have a contraction and i know that's hard to do but if you try to fight through it your labor will only last longer. If you need to get an epidural don't feel defeated as everyone' s tolerance for pain is different. I am due with number 4 on dec 26th and may have to be induced again. I really want to go all natural but we will leave it in god's hands. Congrats and good luck with the baby! Don't worry about the pain just know that each contraction is one pain closer to holding your sweet babe.