Any tips for getting through labour?

[Happydays2000]

I'm 34 wks with ds2 and just starting to feel nervous about getting through labour. Ds1 was relatively straightforward with no pain relief so hopefully will have similar experience this time. Just having a few memories of the pain and wondered if anyone had any useful strategies?

Best advice I was given was to rest between contractions and not worry about the next one coming. DD was born after a 5 hour labour with no time for pain relief so that was easier said than done, but I did find it incredibly useful, particularly once I got in the water. Would highly recommend a water labour/birth of that's an option for you.

Good luck :) x

Drugs

Similar to what Squaffle says- just concentrate on the contraction you're on and not panic about the next one. Try to go with it as much as you can and remember that it will pass.

If you need drugs get drugs there's no shame in it

You've done this before, you can do it again.

Tell the midwife the kind of support you need before things get exciting, e.g. my midwife retired to the corner and kept an eye on me in silence, probably many women's ideal but I really wanted someone to hold my hand and tell me it was normal, cheerlead me etc.

Breathing through the contractions really helped until I could get my hands on the gas and air.

I found breathing in for 4 and out for the count of 4 really helped. My dh did the counting and it gave me something to focus on. 3 of those and you're through the peak of the contraction

Sugary drinks for energy.

Thanks for the advice, it's really helpful! X