how to handle labor!

[mamakayt]

I am a first time mommy 35 weeks, I am due April 23rd with a baby girl. All of the women in my family have had c-sections so nobody is able to really tell me how labor goes. I've read lots of articles and books but I want some honest feed back from real people. What do contractions feel like? If I opt for an epidural will it make it more difficult for me to push? What If  my water doesn't break on its own? I am curious about every angle about labor and delivery! Any feedback is much appreciated as I am very nervous and not sure what exactly to expect!

[mamakayt]

Thank you!  That helped me some. I don't think I've even had Braxton hicks yet.. I just feel like I have no idea what I am waiting to feel. Are contractions like bad period cramps down low? Or like the whole belly feels like it's cramping?

[norahbee3]

My birth stories with my daughters were almost identical..each time I started getting the tightening/cramps which was the contractions. .it really wasn't painful to me til later on that..it timed them and new they were close enough together that I was going into labor..definitely a different feeling than the every day braxton hicks so I got up to use the bathroom both times and my water broke! Each time I never recall losing a mucus plug at all..the epidural does not make it harder to push at all from my experience. Pushing was actually the easiest part for me out of everything..the contractions are the worst when they start going real good.both of my times of labor lasted almost exactly 12 hours from start to finish..hope this helped a little lol..now I'm on my third and extremely nervous ha kinda strange but also so ready to be done being pregnant..16 days ish left til my lil one arrives