I had no labor symptoms whatsoever in the week prior to having my daughter. But I also was induced. But with my experience once the pitocin kicked in (I was on the maximum amount they can give) I had back labor. And that is not fun. It's horrid. Imagine someone taking there hand and grabbing your spine and attempting to rip it out. I ended up with an epidural. And boy getting that kinda was painful. Not the shot itself but when they start pushing hard on your hips and back to find a good spot. But after 5 minutes everything was smooth sailing. I was in labor for 18 hours and 45 minutes. And I woke up from a nap with a need to push. Told the nurse and she got the doctor to check me. They look and all I hear is "I see hair" and they quickly got things ready for me to push. Took me 2 pushes. If you have a birth plan MAKE SURE everyone knows it. I had a birth plan and everyone ignored it. Only my first nurse read it. My Obgyn said everything on the plan was fine. But she didn't deliver. Another doctor was on the floor that day. Post partum, your vagina will be swollen and sore for a while. Peeing burns if you don't use the squirt bottle they give you. I'm going on 5 weeks post partum and the pain and swelling just stopped for me. I have bled on and off the entire time in these 5 weeks. Hope that gives you insight.

also, I made "padsicles" that I found on Pinterest. you take pads and put aloe and witch hazel and essential oil on them and then freeze them. I got SO MUCH relief from those things because after a vaginal birth your vagina is very swollen and sore for awhile.

I had an induced vaginal birth 4 weeks ago, got my epidural the second I hit 4cm (bc that was the soonest they would do it). some of my advice peices would be:

- listen to and trust the nurses. they may sound crazy but they do this stuff FOR A LIVING, they know what they're talking about and can help you avoid a lot of pain.

-if you get an epidural, when they have you hunched over, suck in as if you were trying to button a tight pair of jeans (best advice one of my nurses gave me after the anastesiologist kept hitting my bone)

-if you have a vaginal ASK FOR A MIRROR TO SEE YOUR BABY COME OUT or atleast feel it's head as it crowns. I forgot to ask for the mirror and I really regret it, but I felt her head as she crowned and it was amazing, it gave me the perfect distraction from the increasing pressure.

-don't stress about the pushing part of labor, that was honestly the "funnest" part for me. because even with my epidural I still felt the urge to push with my contractions but I had to try to resist pushing until my nurse got my legs all propped and ready to go, so once I was able to give into my instinct to push it was actually a relief.

- if you plan to try breastfeeding start watching videos now of different positions and latches.

The biggest thing with a csection that u need to remember is it is major surgery. U will not be able to get up and move around for awhile afterwards because the anesthesia has to wear off so u get feeling back into ur legs and feet. U will have a catheter until u r able to get up and move also. U may or may not be in quite a bit of pain for a Lil while even after leaving the hospital. It's a slow recovery but just remember to move as much as u can it does get better. I was completely exhausted after my first csection because they tried to induce my labor first but that didn't work out for me so I was an emergency csection the first time. My hospital bag only had clothes for goin home for the baby and loose fitting clothes for me to wear in the hospital and on the way home plus my toiletries the hospital really does provide everything else for u while u r there

And I've learned the best thing to do when it comes to getting closer to your due date is to just stay calm and not worry about everything. Just don't think about it bc your just gonna work yourself up. Basically the only thing I needed that was in my baby's bag was his clothes and blankets my hospital had everything else I would need. And in my bag I just had comfortable clothes to wear that were easy to put on. And just my shower stuff and hair brush and tooth paste and tooth brush and all that. And with the epidural I didn't feel it at all the guy had to do it 4 times until he got it right since I have a messed up back that's shaped like an S. I also did the pain meds in the IV before the epidural it made me really sleepy so I got some rest. I don't know anything about c sections but delivering vag is not bad I thought. Within an hour I was walking around fine was a little sore but could walk and take a shower.

There are many different signs of labor, and it varies from woman to woman. There is back labor, which is a very bad pain in your back and butt (that's what I had) eventually it spreads to your stomach, sometimes. It's different for different women, someone don't even feel them. I didn't know that I was in labor with my second son, until I went in just because I felt a little funny. Some times nausea, diarrhea, vomiting can be a sign your in labor. Vaginal birth from my perspective isn't so bad, mostly because I had an epidural which helped a lot, and I didn't feel anything nor did I tear. The worst part would have to be the contractions, which I only experienced with my oldest and it was terrible. Depends on your pain tolerant. My advice would be to just stay calm, relax. I know you will be very nervous and very anxious, but something so beautiful so wonderful will be the outcome and all of your worries will melt away. I only packed outfits to go home in, and outfits for pictures. The hospital provides diapers and wipes and pacifiers. For myself I packed a night gown, my slippers, a t shirt , and leggings and some snacks for after birth. After birth is fairly easy going, your just pretty much exhausted. But the nursery will care for the baby as long as you'd like if you want rest. Epidurals work wonders, you should see how much you can handle the contractions, you'll see a difference if you get the epidural. I hope any of this helps.

Don't be scared about giving birth some people say that it's this horrible thing when it's really not. I'm a FTM. Just remember to breath and stay calm. When I was in labor with my son I did aromatherapy and it helped a lot!! You should see if your birthing center offers it or less look it up and you can get the oils to do it yourself to bring with you to the hospital. If you're interested in it you can google it or you can ask me if you have any questions.