1.) for those that have done it..can I have your story?

My birth story is in my signature


2.) Was there a point that you wanted to turn back and what made you change your mind?

Nope. However towards the end after being told so many times by the midwives that I didn't look far at all and I had so much time to go and as I wasn't getting internals it was just before I felt the urge to push (most likely in transition) that I was saying to DH that I want something, anything and that I don't think I can do it - however that did not last long at all and I wouldn't have seriously taken anything, I was just getting overwhelmed/ exhausted/ lacking faith that i was getting anywhere. Boy, how wrong they were. I totally relate to misty in that I was a silent labourer too and they totally misjudged how far I was


3.) Any good books you recommend?

Childbirth without fear by grantley ****read. This was a fantastic book as I really felt it helped give me the confidence in trusting my body and helped me learn not to interpret the contractions as pain but rather as tightening and pressure which enabled my baby to move through my body. It really makes a huge difference to pain whether you fear and fight the contractions or just go with the flow.. and this book explains all that.


4.) Is the pushing stage so horrible or do you have adrenaline to push past it?

I didn't love the pushing stage as I felt it was very overwhelming but I did find the long breaks in between rather helpful as I could gather myself and even hold up a conversation, drink some water etc. But when it was happening it was FULL ON! Much more so than the rest of the labour. I definitely would say that your body has the adrenaline for it - you don't get put through anything you can't handle you just need to trust your instincts and let your body take over


5.) In your opinion, which is worse? Transition or pushing?

I look back and I am still quite confused as to when and if I experience transition. I remember getting my first (and only) internal I was 9cm. I requested this when I started feeling really groggy, weird and out of it. I felt strange sensations almost to push. This didn't really bother me - I just knew that there was change happening in my experience and labour was coming to an end. I then had a long break before pushing which I actually enjoyed so I would say that pushing was the most uncomfortable part of labour experience.


I hope I helped! Natural birth is truly such a wonderful thing. I look back with so much happiness and pride at my birth experience. I would give birth again in a heartbeat if I knew it would be like my first (aside from being in labour over 24 hours and not sleeping for a few days prior LOL). I really would not call it painful and it was an extremely empowering experience. I wish you all the best and all I can say is believe in yourself and your body to birth your baby. We were made to do it


Sent from my iPhone more than likely while I should be doing something else!