Not long to go!

[Sunnytimes04]

Hi guys
I'm 25weeks pregnant with my first and keep thinking about the birth... I've tried reading about it but there's so much scary stuff I stop reading for a few days and try not to think about it. But on the other hand there's so much to think about and prepare for I feel like I should know. ( Sorry for rambling ) can any one tell me some positive stories, advice, tips....anything really?

My baby was born 13 weeks ago at 37 weeks and I have nothing but happy memories of her birth! It was such an overwhelming and magical experience and I would do it again tomorrow!

So my waters went at 36+6 and I went to triage, then was sent home and asked to come back in 24 hours to be induced if labour didn’t start on its own in the meantime. It didn’t, so in I went 24 hours later and was put on an oxytocin drip which started the contractions. The contractions felt like period pain in my stomach and back but I didn’t feel any ‘tightening’ like others do. I was fully dilated about 6 hours after starting the drip, started pushing after being fully dilated for an hour and the pushing took about 40 mins. I had gas and air and pethidine for pain relief (loooved the gas and air!!). The best advice I can give you sounds like a cliche but it is just to STAY CALM! Think beforehand of some really calm positive images (a nice holiday you’ve had or something?) which you can focus on during the contractions, and if you have a birth partner tell them about the images in advance so they can describe them to you to help you. My OH did that and I swear it made such a difference! I didn’t scream or shout or anything but I was a bit spaced out. The ‘crowning’ hurt but the midwife poured warm water over my bits and bobs (!) which was nice and distracting. The moment my baby came out and was put on my chest was just unforgettable, the most amazing feeling ever!

Best of luck OP, trust your body and remember that every contraction brings the moment you meet your baby even closer!

Also I found that watching One Born Every Minute (there are loooads of episodes on 4OD) really helped. You see how many different scenarios the midwives and doctors deal with on a daily basis and that reassured me that whatever happens they’ll know what to do. Some women say it scares them even more seeing all the screaming etc., but I thought it was really informative.