guys, tbh I do not remember anything of the pain!!!

I had a completely natural birth, without any pain relief and the only intervention was a sweep where mw did not ask my permission for.

but on the other hand everything was really quick after she performed sweep! only two and a half hour labour and only three pushes!!!

I must say, I found the body produces kind of its own pain relief and I def will try to have a natural birth next time round again!

I was scared 'bout the pain, but I was more scared 'bout the complications which can arise from synthetic pain reliefs!

I tried to get my birthing partner as much familiar as possible with my birthing plan, that he can communicate on behalf of me and tried to see every contraction as something positive bringing me closer to my goal, which is holding my little one in my arms soon!

(e.g., when contraction was very strong I honestly thought, no more heartburn anymore )

and the more you get prepared what happens during labour (e.g. by reading) the less anxious you will be!

@ Tilly

I think you have the same book than me

Well I must be the only one that thinks ignorance is bliss!!!!!!!

Sorry but........

I had a dreadful labour both times.......both times I had such pressure on my bowel that I had no control over pushing and ended up so swollen down below for months!

All I can say is, if it works and epidural is the best thing ever (didn;'t work with first labour, did with second)! I have done labour twice and will do it again, but honestly I think it is the worst thing ever, I couldn't say enough bad things about it

I wanna experience what some of you lot did

But the thing is Steph......you do cope and manage, don't ask me how, but I am actually here saying all this

What book was yours Mickey??

(that will annoy me otherwise lol)

it's title is "Expecting" and the authors are Anna McGrail & Daphne Metland. is it the same?

It's this one actually:

But im sure they're all quite similar in those sections.

I would highly recommend this book ^^^