Sorry for the long post, but it’s always quite cathartic to share a labour experience 
So before my first experience with labour, I’d read all the things, I’d been to the classes etc. I remember about the contractions, and how they could start 20-30 minutes apart lasting 10-40 seconds. Then they would get closer together and stronger over time, until they reach around 5-10 minutes apart and lasting 30-40 seconds. Then off you go to hospital and they get closer until birth happens.
And coupled with watching movies (I know, bad comparison) where the contraction is ooooooh, bad, and then happily chatting away until the next contraction.
Also a sufferer of endometriosis and dysmenorrhea, I thought I might be ok and might be able to handle it.
I was so wrong. First contraction started, and then next one came 2 minutes later. And they were intense, agonising, couldn’t speak, couldn’t move contractions (are there any other kind?)
Phoning the hospital, I got told ‘this is your first, it’s going to be ages away, no need to come in now, take a couple of paracetamol and have a bath’.
So I laboured at home for about 5 hours, until I was going insane with the pain and the intensity and how they were coming so fast and so close together with no let up.
A very VERY bumpy trip to hospital. I begged asked for some pain relief, gas & air. Midwife laughed. Actually laughed and said, ‘if you need pain relief this early, what will you be like later?’ I was gobsmacked. I was examined. 1cm dilated. Sent home, no pain relief. Told it was going to be a long one.
I continued at home again for another 5 hours, but I was climbing the walls in pain.
Back at the hospital, they let me stay (hooray!) even though only 3cm at that point. Again I asked for pain relief. Eventually after 12 hours of labour, with 1-2 minutes apart contractions, I finally got gas & air. Felt like I’d won the lottery.
Long story short (!), another 4 more hours, an hour and a half of pushing, heart rate dropping to 70-80, team of people in my room (assuming waiting for the ECS?) eventually pushed DC out, was blue and needed resuscitation. Oh and I had undiagnosed SPD, and gave birth with two midwives pushing my legs up against me, causing incredible pain!
Had no food, or drink, no pain relief until 12 hours in, no wonder I was exhausted and couldn’t push. Plus I was petrified with the amount of pain, and how constant they were, with no let up.
Anyway. There’s a million worse stories than mine, and that’s not what I’m trying to get across. I’m not saying it was bad, just wondering if anyone else has intense labours (but not fast)?
My SIL had her baby in 2 hours, and mine was considerably more, and she always said she had the ‘worst’ labour as hers was more intense. Frankly, I don’t believe in saying anyone’s own pain is worse than anyone else's but it’s always irritated me. Because mine was intense AND long.
Anyways. Second labour, I thought, it couldn’t be the same? But it was. Bam, 2 minutes apart, super intense, on top of one another until pushing stage.
Only difference was, I had a different hospital, I refused to go home, a lovely DH supporting me, and it was 9 hours not 18. Also, refused G&A (again!!) until my DH sorted it out for me. What is it with refusing pain relief?
Also, I can’t wee. Sorry if too much info, but the contractions never let up, and I can’t go to the loo. I had trouble delivering the placentas both times, as my bladder was full. Catheter fixed that, but still.
Anyone else with intense yet long labours?
On to baby number 3 now, and thinking I want on my birth plan ‘give me the fucking gas and air when I ask for it’ but hoping that won’t have the opposite effect!! 