Omg how did it go? I see you updated your status to having the baby? Lmk! Congrats!!

Okay breathing and support

It's really all about the support system you have there involved that day. I had a little breakdown before it was time for me to push because of my past experience with my first labor and I freaked out I told my doctor I didn't want the same thing that happened the first time to happen again but he was like okay take a minute, relax breathe, and when u feel the next contraction coming you push and count to 10 seconds. So that's what I did. Through labor, my water never breaks until my doctor breaks it for me, so I would stand up through a contraction and while I was in bed I would turn sideways and hold on to the rail and close my eyes and breathe and had my SO massage my back. My son was really set on coming this time around and it all went so fast. I was only in labor for 3 hours at the hospital so my pain went from 0-100 in those few hours but I'm telling you the breathing is what helped me.

I didn't know that! That's an awesome tip. I'm going to keep that in mind too. How did you keep your nerves down??@vivalakats

Honestly just knowing to hold your breath when u are pushing. Luckily this time around I had a great team of nurses and my doc was great too, so all of them told me when u feel a contraction coming you push & hold ur breathe for 10 seconds while u r pushing, so that's what I did and they all counted for me. I did that 3 times and my son was out. @pretti_preggo knowing how to breathe is the major key, trust me! This was my second time around so I took a birthing class, but with my first son I did not know how to breathe, my doctor was terrible and it was not a nice experience. I never wanted to have kids again because of that. But this time around I wanted to be prepared and my doc and nurses were awesome!

what helped you when it was time to push @vivalakats,

Okay. Focal point. I'll try to find one.

The other pain meds they give you don't help at all that just make you extremely tired, they helped me sleep a little bit because I was induced over night, breathing is key, and find something specific to focus on, unfortunately I got the epidural at 8cm because I almost couldn't breath anymore.

Thank you! I will try those things.

Breathe in when a contraction is coming and out while it's passing, also have your SO massage your back while you are having a contraction, and if your nurses let u get up while you're having contractions, do so. Those are the 3 things that helped me through labor without pain meds. Good luck!