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The nurse at our childbirth classes told us that unless you are ready to push it's not too late to have an epidural. My friend last summer had an epidural when she was 9 cm dilated (pitocin worked really fast for her!). Love

Thanks for posting this Carol Ann and thanks to all the ladies who gave very useful info!  I really do not know what to expect and it scares me a bit. How are you doing in these days? I am getting 1-3 hours of cramping every day. I hope it is a sign of things to come. We are really getting close now! Lots of pampering vibes to you. Love

Just what happens???  I'm scared and a bit confused.  Honestly all the prepared childbirth classes didn't seem to stick!!  I'm just not sure what to expect.         Relax.  With a first labor in particular, you'll likely have a long time to get used to things.  While almost anything *can* happen, the most likely scenario is that you'll have contractions that will begin gradually and they'll be not very intense, not very long, a ways apart, and perhaps not consistently spaced.  It really doesn't matter whether you notice at this point, because you'll still have quite a ways to go and you don't have to do anything different.  In fact, you'll be far, far better off if you ignore labor until you absolutely can't ignore it anymore.  Just go about your normal business. I think one of the biggest mistakes first timers make is throwing themselves into high gear in early labor, lying in bed, timing contractions, obsessing over how strong they might be, or whatever.  I know it's exciting and scary and everything, but if you do that, labor will seem interminable and more painful.  If you ignore it and go about your regular routine, that time doesn't count mentally as part of your labor, and you'll feel like labor is shorter and easier.  Plus, you won't be as disappointed if things peter out and you won't drive yourself (and everyone else crazy before it's time.         Over time, the contractions will get longer, stronger, and closer together.  Don't worry about timing them.  It just doesn't matter.  Labor is *NOT* going to sneak up on you!  If you wait until every fiber in your being is screaming that you need to leave NOW, you'll probably *still* get to the hospital with *plenty* of time to go.  If there's any question in your mind about whether it's time to go, it's still too early         That said, on rare occasion a first timer has a really speedy delivery.  If your gut is really telling you to get moving and get to the hospital, and you're having serious contractions, then by all means go. The worst they can do is send you home.  (Actually, the worst they can do is keep you and augment your labor, but you can always say no to that You're very unlikely to have a fast labor, though. It's far more likely that by the time you're having serious, challenging, unmistakable contractions, you'll still have hours to go.         Anyway, most likely you'll have contractions. You may or may not notice your mucus plug or bloody show.  Your membranes may or may not rupture on their own early in labor.  Eventually, your contractions will be significant enough that it'll be time to go to the hospital.  Every caregiver seems to have their own rules for when to go, but you generally want the contractions to be a good minute long and coming every 3-5 minutes and to be quite intense before you head in.  You could maybe even wait longer than that.         What happens after that depends a lot on what your caregivers do and what you allow. Best wishes, Ericka

: Thanks for posting this Carol Ann and thanks to all the ladies who gave very : useful info! :  I really do not know what to expect and it scares me a bit. It's far more comforting to hear from experienced mothers rather than reading something in a book. : How are you doing in these days? I'm becoming increasingly more uncomfortable, though today I'm feeling great. I slept in after taking 3 Tylenol last nite.  I think the key is to rest up as much as I can and keep my pace slow and steady. My girl moves slow and methodically from side to side.  She is head down and ready to go.  I am not sure when she will come, but I am begining to rethink wanting to have her in April instead of March!  LOL! : I am getting 1-3 hours of cramping every day. I hope it is a sign of things : to come. : We are really getting close now! : Lots of pampering vibes to you. And to you, too!!! ~Carol Ann

Just what happens???  I'm scared and a bit confused.  Honestly all the prepared childbirth classes didn't seem to stick!!  I'm just not sure what to expect. I'm due in 16 days!! ~Carol Ann EDD Mar 22 I would just read as many birth stories that you can get your hands on. REading other people's stories can give you a good idea what birth is like. Good luck!  I hope to read your birth story soon! Kat Mama to Maggie 11/03/01 and Will 02/10/04

*Questions: * *Do we lose our mucous plug before we go into labour? *Does our water break before we lose our mucous plug? *Do we go into labour AFTER our water breaks? Answers: Maybe. Maybe. Maybe. Hee hee. Sorry. But fear not, Grasshopper. All will become clear with the passage of time (and mucus plug).