Thank you so much! @ash2014c

If u get an epidural wait as long as you can so baby can find the right position. If your having back labor move around, lean forward and rock thru contractions so baby can get into a good position ( not facing sunny side up). Once you have an epidural make sure the nurse moves you frequently in different positions. Sleep while you can!!!!! You will need energy. Once you are 10 cm labor down for about an hour or until you feel the urge to push... This helps baby get lower and let's your uterus do the work! Once you're pushing fill your lungs, bear down like you have to poop :), and hold as long as you can. As soon as you let go of that push take another big breath and bear down again (hold your breath!). Try to get 3 pushes with each contraction. Soon you will have your baby in your arms :). If you're going natural just follow what your body wants to do and don't fight it :) don't stress you've got this!!!! We are made to do this!!

@caydensmommy, would you say it was a positive experience or do you wish they hadn't used it at all

They had to use the vacuum with my son

@ash2014c, yes I opted for an epidural

I refused both and had to have a c section which worked out for the best not knowing she had the cord around her neck 3 times

Kegals can help... Are you planning and epidural?

Our hospital delivers about 300 babies a month and I've personally (working 36-48 hours a week) seen about 0-5 a week when I'm there.

Thanks @ash2014c unfortunately I won't be able to talk to the doctor about it before my delivery because I'm delivering at a military hospital. They advised me that whichever doctor is there for the night/day will be delivering my little guy 😔, do you think that if I began to exercise (Kegals) it may help my chances of not needing any assistance? How often have you seen where mothers need that type of assistance during delivery?

I meant to say *sometimes* still have to use forceps or vacuum

By the way, even with an episiotomy doc's still have to use forceps or vacuum BUT an epis is a step to take before applying forceps or vacuum.

I'm a labor nurse and have seen many vacuum deliveries and forceps only a few times. Forceps are kind of 'making a comeback' and when Doc's know how to use them properly they work beautifully! ... I mean if these are you'd options I would chose forceps. They can cause more tearing though and can leave marks on baby but usually isn't bad and heals quickly. Both increase risk of bleeding in babys skull but I've never seen it. From all the assisted deliveries I've seen I've never seen a bad or permanent problem for mom or baby. Talk to your doctor and which they prefer and how much experience they have with each. Don't stress too much both of them are rarely used (in my hospital) and i believe you won't need them!

I actually read an article from the beginning of this year, and it was talking about how forceps are being used less and less which was super good news to me.. and yeah I plan on putting it on mine too!!! maybe try more research on the vaccumn, I plan to before I fully write my birth plan in case it's absolutely necessary!!

@thebroadwaybaby16, thank you. This reassures me that forceps are just not an option for delivery. I'll be sure to include this on my birth plan. Hopefully they give you some type of warning before they decide they want to use it.

my ex boyfriend has an extremely large scar on his head from the forceps when he was born... his mom said it was terrifying... I've only heard bad things about the forceps... but haven't heard anything negative or positive really about the vaccumn

I've never had them and i too am against it i would rather have an episiotomy