I was 40w+10 days when i went into labour. The previous day i had a membrane sweep done by my midwife.

Woke up with a bloody show and cramps. Went to the labour ward as i didn't know what to expect and they told me to time the contractions and to come back when they were unbearable or hard to breathe through. So i went back home and had a warm bath and the pain was getting more intense. Got to the hospital at 9am and was 3cm dilated so they admitted me to the delivery suite. I had the gas and air which makes you feel all funny. After about 15 hours i was 7cm dilated and thats when i asked for the epidural. Unfortunately it did fail which meant i felt every contraction and wasn't numb at all. The next 6hours were really hard and painful. They then decided to break my waters to speed things up. After half an hour It was time to push but my son went in distress. His heartbeat kept dipping so they got the forceps to help get him out and was given an episiotomy and 4th degree tear! Haemorrhaged and passed out multiple times and they managed to give me a couple blood transfusions.

Labour was 22 hours total!

The birth wasn't what I expected but I couldn't be more happier. I would go back and do it all again hence the 4 children 🤣

All other births were a breeze though xx

To be honest I found the contractions alot more painful than the pushing stage (probably cause I was so out of it 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️). I also had pethidine, 2 lots of it and gas and air. I do remember begging for an epidural towards the end and being told nope it's too late for that 🤦‍♀️😬 I was petrified all throughout my pregnancy about the birth but tbh once you're in the moment it all goes so quickly (tho it doesnt feel like it at the time) and like @lovemyboys8 said, as soon as you hold babba everything else is a distant memory and so worth it! 👌 xx

I was induced with the pessary bit uncomfortable when they inserted but hurt more when she tried to take it back out as it was suppose to take 24+ hours to do anything but my boy had other plans. I had it inserted at 00:36 and had it removed 5 hours later. Went from 2cm to 8 within an hour or so of having it removed and then I started pushing at 8:30 and had him at 9.34.💙. I opted for epidural but when the anaesthetist came round it was too late lol. Giving birth was painful not gonna lie but the pessary being taken out was worse for me anyway lol. You’ll be fine as the other ladies have said ask if u want pain relief and your body tells u the rest. Bit cliche but it feels like u need a big poop lol x

Have pethidine! I had it with my first and not my second... I seriously regretted not having it!

I'm on my second, only 22 weeks and already worrying! I didn't feel like this with my first 😂 my only advice would be to know what you want but don't be upset if it doesn't go that way and to listen to your body. You'd be amazed at how your body knows what it's doing.

My first I didn't have a birth plan at all, I just didn't want to think about it. But I ended up starting contractions at 2:30am, going to hospital at 4am, having a water birth with gas and air and he made his appearance at 6:51am. Made it to 8cm with no pain relief (apart from a pain killer -dont bother. Only think I couldn't feel was my teeth).

Ask for pain relief if you feel you need it, don't let them brush you off, they tried to keep getting me to hold off with it!

You'll be great! Good luck x

Does brick mean nervous? I’m on my 3rd and I’m nervous. I’m not really sure why though. My first was an emergency induction at 38 weeks. no pain meds and I was in labor 9 hours, pushed about 30 mins. I was up and walking in 30 mins. My second was born at 37 weeks. I started to feel contractions that got close and strong so I went in. My water broke while in the triage. She was about a 4 hour labor, 2 pushes and out. No pain meds. I was up and in my regular clothes moving around still in my delivery room. This time I don’t know why I’m so nervous but mind over matter. We got this.