airline - i didn't write a birth plan or talk to my ob about what i wanted etc for DS. nor with any midwife. I tried to keep an open mind with the view that epidural would be my last resort for pain medication (i was super scared of that huge needled lol).

we read juju sundin's birth skills book (dh read it to which made a huge difference) and that was our guide. we'll be re-reading it again soon.

i hired a tens machine; decided that i'd probalby use gas but that DH was to dial it right down to start and very gradually increase it; and we used the shower (omg that was so nice and is so effective). It took a bit to use the gas correctly with your breathing etc.

when I had got up to the highest air/gas mix; the tens machine was discarded somewhere and I was nearly sitting on the shower head - i called for that big scary needle... but NOPE wasn't allowed as i was 9.5cm and the pushing party was about to begin! i couldn't believe it cos i always thought "it'll get worse".

that was a great mentality to have - i didn't know that at the time of course - that "oh, its going to get worse so better conserve my resources and draw on my own strength". Mind you, i wouldn't have liked to take my gas off me... dh reckoned he would have had to stand on my face to get the sucky-tube thing outta my mouth lol.

now i KNOW what's coming this time... so that's what's got me worried. Ignorance is bliss lol. But i think the fact that i don't know what i'm having is going to be a big inspiration.

oxoxo