If you could time travel, what advice would you give yourself ahead of your labour(s)?

[Goldenvalley]

I think mine would be to try and feel in control rather than at the mercy of midwives/ doctors. Oh, and to be realistic about possible pain relief required, rather than writing 'yoga' in my birth plan pain relief section (cringe).

Go to hospital. Get drugs.

Same as wigeon Juju Sundin Birth Skills book is amazing.

That and DO NOT PUSH!!! Pant instead! The baby will come out anyway, the midwife says don't push. She means it.

Oh and don't panic. It is all going to be fine.

And ask for gas and air for the stitches. Didn't need it for either birth but boy those stitches hurt like a bitch!

Get a c-section, because otherwise you'll spend the next few months depressed and traumatised!!!

DC1

( I was on a shared ward waiting to be induced for 24 hours)

It is ok to tell the lady in the other bed who had very loud visitors until past 12 to shut up.
It is ok to tell the other lady in the other bed on the other side to shut up when she was on the phone very loudly at 4 am.

Get the epidural earlier.

DC2: yes it is contractions. Call DP and the baby sitter and get yourself to hospital.

Baby born 45 min after getting a delivery room.

Don't lie down.
Don't take the pethidine.
The pain won't actually kill you and your horrendous birth experience won't actually be as bad as the one your baby will have thirty years later.

Even though you've only been having contractions for 30 mins and your first labour lasted 4days, get to hospital ASAP as DS will be born within the hour (gave birth in A&E).

Just chill, it won't be as bad as you're expecting it to be.

When you are in pre-labour for six days, it's because DD has her head tipped to one side and isn't putting enough pressure on your cervix. So rather than lying in a self-pitying heap on the couch interspersed with mooing into a corner of the room every time the contractions get going, get up and go for a walk like you know you're supposed to in early labour to try and shift her into a better position.

Oh, and buy replacement pads for the TENS machine in advance.

Place marking to read closer to due date

Don't be afraid of being assertive with the midwives, remember that it is your body and you get to say what happens to it not them!

Another place marking for 2 months time!

Don't go to the midwife run birthing ccentre. You'll need doctors, intensive care. Be in the right place from the beginning!
And tell dh to concetrate on the baby so he notices when she stops breathing.

Take lucozade and a sick bucket :)

Refuse induction. Request a c section!

Keep moving.