be honest she says.....

[munz]

my mate, she's 36 weeks PG and want's me to be honest about my labour to her, so far iv'e said (quite honestly) I can't really remeber it epidural/G&A are fab! but did also say it's like bad period pains/really bad wind lol. (I never had PP's!

anyhow she's been told the head's now engaged, adn is the sort of person who likes to think she knows how it fels/would know if something happened - ie we were talking on tues about when Joey was engaged and I said 38 weeks, saw the M/W got told engaged and in labour the next morning. and she said oh i'm not yet i'd know if I was i'm sure, on weds the m/w said she was and now (bless her! lol) she's really scared/upset about it.

so far i've said take the drugs if u want them. althou she's worried about gettin to 5cm for the epidural.

so in short any tips on a good labour for her, and also how would u best describe your labour?

(I darent tell her it felt like my pelvis was splitting)

GG, I had a doula and it was absolutely the best decision I made. She was absolutely wonderful, which was a good thing, since my previously sympathetic midwife turned into the bitch from hell when things didn't go as quickly as she wanted.

Which brings me to another thing about childbirth. Tell your friend to trust her instincts. I know that sometimes we feel that we must be dying and it's only transition (weak smile here) but there are other times where, as a mother, we feel deep in our bones that something is not right. I went through that and almost waited too late to insist on a second opinion. Turns out that ds was an unidagnosed breech and that second opinion probably saved his life.

thanks for that jab, I'm ment to be seeing her today. I must admit I still find it amazing the giving birth part. your right it is like something else/somone else is doing it all.

gem - I had one of those cathiter thingys, tbh I couldn't tell it was in there, althou i'm sure it really was not pleasent for DH to see. i'd be intrested to hear about a mobile epidural, as I say once I had mine I wasn't allowed to move about or anything so had to be laying down and i'm sure that's what slowed everything right down.

Best tip for early labour- keep moving! I was induced with DD (2nd pg) and nearly walked dh off his feet route-marching round hospital grounds. I did find tens great for early stages, just takes the edge off and gives you something else to think about. Did last couple of hours on birthing ball with gas and air, FABULOUS- would recommend birthing ball to anyone, it helps things "open up" naturally and really eases pain.
I would advise anyone not to have pethidine, I did with ds and it made me feel really sick and woozy. I can't remember much about his birth and that distresses me.
I agree with all who say keeping strong and positive is the best thing, yes it is painful and there are times when you think you won't be able to do it- but the fact is that when you finally hold your LO it is all worth it, and you do forget really quickly. I can remember saying all through my last pregnancy that I would never do it again (from hellish ms to 10 days overdue & labour) but my daughter is only 16weeks old and I'd have another one in a minute if dh would agree.