If you had one tip for labour/birth...

[suzi2]

...what would it be?

Mine would be to 'go with it' and just let it all happen.

Sorry meant to say agree with Nally stayed at home as long as possible as you tend to be more comfortable at home when to hospital when I could no longer handle pain and on arrive was 8cm's so started gas and air dd1 was born within 2hr 20 mins. DD2 was already in hospital as she was 15 days but when needed gas and air was only 6cm's but she came 2 hrs later. with ds3 got to hospital at 5pm he came 41 minutes later just with gas and air. I avoided being induced as my friends said they were not able to control pain like I did and they were with me in labour with dd1. when labour comes on naturally it grows and you get used to the pain and with each increase you adjust and are ready. When induced my friend was asleep and woke up contracting and 4 cm's she didn't handle pain as it was strong when she became aware of it. Remember mother nature will not give you more than you can handle your stronger than you like - I'm a cry baby and have no pain fresh hold normally but during labour I found strength I didn't now I had.

Re the pain-relief, i reckon don't listen to anyone else - trust your own judgement.
Lots of people are very anti, but my MIL had 4 kds and only had an epiduaral for the 4th. Her opinion was that the doctor should have been shot for not offering it for the first 3.

I agree sweetlydarling pain relief is very personal and you only now when in labour what you need. I never had an epidural am anti but only for me. My friends had them and their labours were longer they said they couldn't feel anything so didn't now when to push - so worried about extending labour so decided just to go for it as the faster it's over the quicker the pain is gone. I personally worry about epidurals but I don't like jab's at the best of times but I did say with ds3 when we were stuck in traffic right outside the hospital that if the mw said I was only 4cm's i wanted drugs but it turned out i was 8.5cm's so no need to worry. you have get lots of advice but listen to your own body you will automatically now what to do what position is best for you and what pain relief is needed if any - you are an amasing woman carrying an amazing gift of life and mother nature has given you the ability to support this gift till now and you will now what to do when the time is right just stick to your guns don't be forced into anything by anyone you now whats right. (but if your told you need a c-section the above doesn't count whats best for baby and you is to have a good birth experience and to both come out of it healthy and well) All the best

I've not read the whole thread so sorry if this is a repeat of other's but my advice is just go with the flow, don't have too many expectations or set ideas of how it 'should' be. Birth plans are great but if you are too fixated on it going exactly like to 'plan', you may open yourself up for disappointment.

Move to Buxton. They have a lovely birth centre and you get home cooked food after!

don't lie on your back, go on all fours, or as someone else suggested, stand! that's what i'm going to try next time...

Gas and air rocks: don't just take the odd suck, put the tube in your mouth and breathe in and out through it like a diving hose. You might puke after the first few puffs but then this glorious trippy feeling kicks in and you feel like you can do anything.
Oh, and when it's time to push, try to push from your chin down, not from your bottom (I know this sounds odd) to avoid/minimise piles. I'll admit I got this bit wrong myself but I do think it might have worked if I hadn't been so demented at the actual moment... and I do endorse what someone else said: as long as you and the baby are alive and well afterwards, it was great no matter whehter it went to plan or not.

If having a water birth make sure that you are examined before you enter the pool and the baby is fully engaged to avoid cord prolapse whilst in the pool

There is no way you can know the best position for you to give birth until you are in labour. Don't have preconceived ideas; don't watch monitors; don't try and remember active birth text books - trust what your body is telling you to do.

I gave birth to both my sons lying on my left hand side and they both came out a treat.

I appreciate that this won't work so well if you've had a painful second stage and have needed lots of drugs.

Secondly - if you can, have them at home.

stand up as much as possible

stand up as much as possible

Don't believe what they tell you in ante natal classes about first time labours being 12 hours+.My dh believed what he was told & whilst I was nagging him to get a bloody move on before it was to late,he was still arguing that we had plenty of time.Er no,we didn't,we only just made it to the hospital in time with dd1.

Also,when you get to the point that you think that you just can't do this anymore,it is nearly over.

Get into a position that suits you, your body will let you know what works