blue & maggie
congrats on your future nieces/nephews!
howly
I agree with your DH - you just don't know how you will be.
labour is tough, the pain and the fear of pain is intense, gas & air makes you say weird things and there's no way of telling how anybody will react.
I have probably said this already but when I was fully dilated with DD (so 6th child! ) and was told to push I suddenly had no more pain and I panicked and demanded a C-section!
it was hilarious and just wish it was filmed so I could watch it back and show it to people "look, this can happen!"
MW and DH were utterly gobsmacked and just stared at me then each other in disbelief.
The MW didn't believe I was painfree and neither couldn't believe their ears that I was chickening out.
They tried to gently persuade me but I was having none of it. I folded my arms, shook my head and refused to push!
if I could I would've stomped my feet too!
it was surreal.
and afterwards I couldn't believe I behaved liked that, nor understood where that behaviour came from!
after a few minutes I succumbed and said with a sigh & eyerolling "alright, I'll give it a go" as if I was doing them a favour , but only because I was worried the MW will slap me!
as no two births are the same the best thing is to expect unexpected things to happen.
you might be screaming or quiet, wanting a back rub or unable to bear people touching you, might be relaxed or agressive, confident or panicked etc.
It's just not the same seeing it from the outside, but definitely very interesting!
The one thing I do advise to everyone - when it comes to the pushing phase don't scream. it robs you of your energy.
instead it's best to concentrate on the job, chin down, push into your bottom (like doing a big poo) and LISTEN to the MW!
if they tell you to push, push, if they say stop & pant do that.
it will bloody hurt, but it will be quicker if you do as you are told!