Don't be scared. Mind over matter is huge! With my first I gave birth a week before I turned 20, I convinced myself I wasn't going to get an epidural because I have quite a high pain tolerance. I focused so hard and remember being so excited. I did it-no epidural. With my daughter I was 24 and I figured since I did it once already, I wouldn't need an epidural. Well I labored at the hospital for 2 days before having her (very high risk pregnancy) and hours before I had her my contractions stopped and they had to put me on pitocin. It was the worst thing ever and hurt like I'd never dreamed off. So I tried my hardest and then my nurse told me. "You know, no matter what, if you get an epidural or not, you get the same trophy at the end of the finish line". I said you're right! Get me an epidural. And I felt soooooo much better, I could breathe slightly again and was able to focus. The epidural didn't hurt me at all, I can say my back, just in the spot where they put it I could feel for years. It didn't "hurt" but I could tell where it was, it went away about last year, 3 years later. We are all different and react differently to things, but don't be scared. The hospital will take great care of you, and just know and have faith everything will be "perfect"! This time I'm hoping for No epidural, since I know I can do it, but If I can't handle it then I'm getting one. My back labor is always horrible and that's the part I can't handle! Good luck momma!

Three pieces of advice I will share:

1. The best advice I got as a FTM was to get the epidural. I was scared about it too, but ended up being the best thing ever. I was so relaxed.

2. Listen to your body. I didn’t know I was in labor. Just keep feeling like I had to poo... but as night went on felt like waves of pain. I used a contraction app on my phone and it said to go to the hospital. So I woke hubby sans said let’s atleast go get checked, and was admitted and had my baby that morning.

3. Trust your nurse and dr. I was scared but they walked me through everything. They do this all day everyday and have seen it all. Plus where I was relaxed from the epidural it was easy to focus on what they needed me to do to push baby out.

Best of luck mama. Hope this helps ❤️

My best advice is go in with an open mind specially since this is your first. I always try to remember that even though it's a little scary that is the best place for me to be.

I know this is easier said than done, but try to relax and breathe! I was terrified my first time, but honestly, the worst part of the experience for me was getting the IV ?? I have small veins that apparently don’t like to be poked! Just stay calm and go with the flow. Like you said, it will all be worth it in the end! Whether you decide on all natural, an epidural, or some other form of pain meds, you will do great! For what it’s worth, I did get the epidural quite a ways into my labor, and had zero issues or complications from it. Good luck!!!