Well with my first I went into labour by myself but the pains werent too bad (they never really hurt that much just a backache) and they stopped when I got to hospital since I was going to be induced the next day anyway they decided to break my waters, i was in full on labour within 20 minutes and had an epidural followed by vac and forceps and an episiotomy...so I had no idea what it was like to go into labour naturally and slowly

With my son I had irregular pains on the friday and sat up all night waiting for something to happen, they never went away just irregular by Sunday morning they were very painful so off we went to the hospital to be told I was only 2cms and we were left alone in the room until 7am when a new midwife walked in and my son was born at 7.05am.

Two very different experiences but the second time was easily recognisable that they were in fact labour pains...this time round I have a little more confidence in my body to let me know whats happening but in saying that who really knows???