My kids are 6 and 4 and I sstill love to read birth stories.
My suggestion is to explore yoga positions that you can practice now that will help you to relax your body and to do gentle stretches that can prepare your body for the birth of your baby.
My first was two weeks overdue and I had a gel applied to the cervix that kicked off my labor. I t progressed smoothly with just one shot of demerol. I remember feeling indignant when the obgyn said that I could start grunting if I felt like it because I could push anytime. No grunting and I pushed for 45 minutes a big headed girl out at 8lbs 10oz. The second babe was right on time, hard labor pains came very fast and it was a white knuckle ride to the hospital. I was ready to push immediately upon arrival and forceps were on standby because her heart rate was dropping. SO I GRUNTED and growled and invoked the name of osiris and xena and pushed out my 10lbs.3oz girl in one short amazing blast.
Prepare as if for a marathon but it may just end up being a sprint.
Labor and Delivery nurse checking in…
A birth plan is important if you don’t want the standard get-an-epidural-when-dilated-to-5cm. A mid-wife/labor coach can be a wonderful help. Let your doctor know your wishes so he can let the nursing staff in L&D know—have him write orders for what you want so they can deviate from protocol. I work in the high-risk area, but some hospitals will assembly-line you through, so know what you want and who to ask for it. I use squat bars and birthing balls and massage, but some nurses don’t. I’ve seen great outcome with CAREFULLY monitored epidurals, I’ve seen a bit of Stadol go a long way and I’ve had Demerol and Phenergan make mom just that much more relaxed and help that cervix to open. I’ve had moms position themselves and focus and deliver without drugs. I had a 6 pound 37 week-er and a 6 pound 40 week-er on the same day last month. I’ve sectioned a 5 pound baby and vag-delivered a 10 pound baby. Please don’t smoke. You’d rather have a larger baby than a smaller umbilical cord, believe me.