needahand yours sounds a bit like mine - again not a story for first-timers. I was induced at 40+12. Baby not well positioned, after 16 hours of contractions I was told I was 2 cm and nearly fainted, I was sure I must be nearly there!! Then lots of throwing up, meptid, syntocinon, eventual epidural, forceps delivery some several hours after that - and was not given the opportunity to refuse the forceps, ventouse was not an option.
I really do think the hypnobirthing helped me cope. Throughout all of that I never felt panicky, rather the experience left me feeling empowered to have coped, and I'm sure the hypnosis CDs have a lot to do with that. (Dp was more traumatised and still hasn't really recovered - ah the suffering these poor men have to go through )
It may reassure you also that I saw a consultant a few weeks back who said after a first birth like that, second time is (barring other issues of course) likely to be much much easier. She suggested her rule of thumb is that most people are looking at about half the time in labour and a much easier actual delivery. No guarantees of course but it made me feel better!
Oh and any first timers who didn't follow instructons and read this, it's not always like this. I have several friends who had the lovely natural 7 hour water birth experience first time round, so don't let us freak you out!
ernest I just cracked open the Gaviscon tablets today, ah the joys ...