First time labour stories

[msp2023]

37 weeks today and started to get super nervous about labour. No complications so far, planning for a vaginal delivery.

Would love to hear your first time labour stories - including when you first went into labour, how long, which pain relief etc :)

39+4

Induced (due to small baby).

Went in Thursday midday. Induced using Dilapan rods to open cervix. First lots in for 15 hours. Removed and cervix was 1cm dilated. Had second set of rods put in for 12 hours on Friday. Started contracting around midday although machine didn't detect them. They were regular every 3 mins like period pains. Had the rods taken out that evening and was 2cm dilated. Midwife gave me a sweep.

Went up to delivery Saturday morning and midwife broke my waters. Contractions ramped up and used gas and air.

Baby did not manage contractions well and heart rate was dipping and then spiking so had an emergency c section and baby arrived just after midday.

Very rushed at the end but all was well after.

(Probably) full term. Waters suddenly went at midnight. Contractions started then too and went straight to hospital. Had some pethidine for pain relief (which sent me to sleep). Baby born 8.5 hours after waters going. All straightforward.