Have many of you thought ahead about the birth yet? How you think you'll cope, who you're having with you, what pain relief you want?

I've given it a little thought. I didn't want my partner there because I didn't want him to see what was going on "down there" but he wants to be there so I will keep him at the head end (my head that is).

I'm not really nervous about the pain and want to do it without an epidural.... I'm more scared of that, than the pain of labour. I went through a termination when I was 18 which hurt like hell and a couple of friends say that's a worse pain because its so artificial. We'll see My partner though, apparently trying to be supportive believes there is no way I will do it with out an epidural and is convinced I may well need a c-section (I think he's actually hoping I will). He reckons this way of thinking will prepare me if I can't cope, lol. It's the same as him telling me I will never lose the baby weight.... this is also meant to make me better.

He's full of stuff like that though, like when I said I think I'll be more comfortable up and walking about or kneeling because it seems more natural and goes with gravity. His response was that I don't know what I'm talking about and why do I think hospitals always make you lay on your back. It's apparently what they do in France (where he's from) they wouldn't put up with stuff like walking around. You lay down and get monitored.

im not worrying about labour at all, i did it with just gas and air when i had my son and it only lasted 3 hours from when my waters broke.

Wow thats quick... I hope I have a short labour. I'm a wuss...

x

its not about being a 'wuss' i have a very low pain threshold and i managed fine. as somebody said on another thread, labour is not an 'ouchie' kind of pain but a deep, emotional pain. dont worry, you will survive!

No Im not thinking about it yet!

Well, I have thought of a few things.

I want my dad there but I dont know if thats a bit weird, but apart from my OH he's the only person in the world I trust 100% with my life and he makes me feel better even when the worst happens. But he's have to stay away from the business end. On the other hand, my OH doesnt want him there and thinks it should just be me and him. So I dont know, I might just put my dad down as someone whos allowed to be there but he doesnt HAVE to stay... if that makes sense.

As far as pain releif goes Ill take as much as possible please.

And I would like my OH to be the first one to hold the baby as well.

Thats actually the bit Im ost scared of coz Im useless with kids. Dont even know how to hold one.

So I guess I have thought about it quite a lot! haha Not scared of the pain, just everything that follows.

xxx

I have already started thinking about all that stuff. My OH and my mother will be in there...but OH has already said that he wants to be back by my head (which I don't mind at all). His excuse is that he thinks we should both see him at the same time. As for pain relief....I'm not going to use any. I know labor is different with everyone, but if my mom could do no pain relief with 6 kids, I can do it with one.

Well I've drafted my birth plan already but that's because I have some very insistent (unusual) demands!
Thankfully I'm going to a birth centre so my wishes will mostly be a given anyway.
It'll only be me & DH, I don't want anyone else there.
I don't want ANY pain relief, that includes gas & air.

Oh there's much, much more

Like what?? I love reading peoples birth plans/stories

Im so nosey lol

xx

I have thought about it. I am doing a home birth. So there will be no epidural, which is fine, that horrifies me as well. No lying in bed either, that is crap. You gotta use gravity and your body. My midwife already told me that when the pushing time comes, I will be standing, supported by my DH, and when I push I am to squat down. Make sense to me.

That's good to hear. I think my pain tolerance maybe low as well but I REALLY want to do it without the epi or a c-section. I'm hoping to use a TENS machine and that it...from what I hear the moment is difficult ot describe. Most women just say that it is "intense".