Hi,

Every labour is different, I think it is important to think about what you want but realise that sometimes you need to change your plan. My first son was an emergency c/s (undiagnosed footling breech so no other options), my second ended up being 5 weeks early and had to be a forceps delivery as his heart rate became erratic ( I also needed an epsiotomy), my third was a normal vaginal delivery, however, his shoulders were stuck and it was the most excrutiating pain. He was blue and had to be resucitated. I only had gas with all 3. None of these scenarios fitted in with my plans but I just had to go with the flow. Ask as many questions as you can. You wont really know what its like until you do it so the more informed decisions you make the better off you will be. My third labour was only 4 hours and 18 minutes but it was awful, Id take the extra couple of hours, episiotomy and forceps I had with my 2nd any day and I never thought I would say that. Every person is different and every labour is different. Good luck.