Good on you for giving a natural birth a try Sarah I tried to with Marisa but had to be augmented (waters broken and drip), so I ended up with an epidural as I couldn't cope with it.

With Elijah, as you know I was at home until 8-9cms. I guess I thought I could cope longer at home, as while the contractions were very painful, they were nothing like the ones I remembered with Marisa. I moved around positions, I found the one that worked the most was on all fours (on the couch so I could rest my head on the pillows) and at times with head down, bum up and lots of cushions. That was I could make all the noise I wanted and it was muffled too ROFL!!!

I can't really say I did much else, the bath and shower didn't really do it for me. When I eventually got to hospital, I found it really beneficial that the midwives were really reminding and encouraging me with the breathing. I just couldn't do it with Marisa, I had contractions on top of each other and couldn't think for a second. But this time I had little breaks, so I could stop and think about it. It's great having a 'coach' there with you. I would love to have a doula if I go again - it made it so much easier having someone there with the confidence to tell me what to do and that I was doing a great job.

Apart from that, it was all very quick, just a long labour which neither myself or the midwives really knew how much in labour I really was LOL!!!

Good luck matey, I think it's a great accomplishment if you can get through a natural labour - definitely something you'll be very proud of afterwards

Ps. (I know not all of us have the opportunity for a natural labour due to health concerns for the mother or baby or other, I just wanted to say the best outcome is a healthy mum and bub no matter what, and I didn't write the above to discriminate against anyone who can't have a natural labour). I still want my epidural should there be a next time I'm proud to have done it naturally, but I didn't have any choice otherwise ROFL!!!