I agree totally w the last post. I have also had lot of friends that have had a planned n became stressed n anxious when things didn’t go to plan. I don’t think new mums need that added stress. I know its great to be prepared or educated in what u should do and what can happen but its so much different when baby is actually ready to come:) In the end it doesn’t matter how baby comes, whether its natural or Caesar or whether u have drugs or not. As long as mum n baby r healthy, that is the main thing. It also doesn’t make u any less of a mum or any better than anyone else as all mums n bubs r different:)

I think the most important thing about labour is not to have a plan. Seriously there is not one person I know where everything has gone to plan and they have been very very dissappointed. My suggestion is just go with the flow and your natural instincts. It was too late for me, I was fully dialated and pushing but bub couldn’t get out. It was discovered later that I had problems with my pelvis and would not ever be able to have a natural birth (this could have only been discovered with xrays). I ended up with an emergency c-section so that the baby and myself wouldn’t get in distress (I had pre-eclampsia too).

I must also say that be very informed about everything both natural labour and C-section then you will be at ease with what is going on.

Great advise, but I think new mothers also need to realise that not all things are going to go to plan. I know so many mothers who had a birth plan, but nothing went the way they wanted, & they felt so terrible about themselves. I had a natural birth, but went in with an open mind, knowing that things may not go the way I wanted (& there were unavoidable things that didn’t go to plan) .

i think the most important thing about labour is going in open minded about everything! you may need drugs you may need a c-section you may not but dont plan it down to the last minute as its out of your control. it will save disapointment

Great article and advice. I have to suggest though to keep open minded about the plan or wish list. sometimes things dont go to plan and the last thing you need is to be stressing or worried that its not on schedule or exactly how you planned.
also to anyone who has had a natural birth …. how funny is the image 🙂

Apart from being induced I had a natural birth. My advise is to make sure you have a good doctor who does your diabetes test on time, my doctor did mine a month late and I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. because I went a month without proper care for diabetes I put on a lot of extra weight as did my baby making it necessary to be induced. My Doctor then proceeded to not book me in for an induction on time (The hospital told me I should have been in there a week earlier. This also left me with stretch marks covering my entire stomach (These only occurred in the last week).

I had a natural birth with my husband and my mum came to support during the labour.

I had a VBAC. It was great but also difficult as the hospital put so many constraints on my labour. Being stuck on a bed with things strapped to you is a bit awkward. Still proud I did it.

I was induced early due to complications with both of mine and due to the intense contractions had epidurals as well. While all the other stuff is lovely the most important thing is to be informed so that you are able to make the best decisions for you and your baby.

the thing that helped me the most get through my 4 natrural labours was just being in the right state of mind and jyst focusing on breathing an id always have to just focus on something throughout my contratcations.

The most thing that helped me was getting my body ready. I walked alot during my pregnancy and kept my body active . I think walking and exercising helped to to build my stamina to be able to push during childbirth efffectively. My second born was breach but I delivered him naturally and no csection involved. I know it was hard and more painful but I had the stamina to push.

I’d say the 6th point is to have a sense of humour and while doing research, take all advice (however well meaning) with a grain of salt – just because it’s worked for someone doesn’t mean it will work for you. Each experience is intensely personal!

Great tips for the parents to be

I am a research person. I need to make sure what I am getting so I did the same when I was trying to get pregnant so that when I became pregnant I knew which obstetrician I would like. I am so glad I did as she only takes a certain amount of people each month and I rang as soon as I got the positive test. I have been so happy I have recommended her to family and friends who have been really impressed with her as well.

The most important thing for me was to have good support people around me! I had a reasonably quick and stress free birth!

I did all of the above except for the doula. I had a bag packed, full of Zen music and oils, a birth plan carefully typed up. I did this twice. I have had two emergency Cesareans. I hope for all that want to they get their chance to have the natural birth, with low intervention and delayed cord clamping, low lighting, etc that I planned for, but things don’t always go to plan. The most important thing to remember is it is about you and what you want, but it’s also about that baby you’ve been waiting to meet, and making sure you keep your eyes on that goal, however your baby comes into the world, the main thing is they are alive. I can’t tell you how ripped off I felt after not getting the births I hoped for. Then I had to prioritize. Is it worth putting your baby at a high risk to have what you want? It’s not all about the birth. It’s also about having that baby to hold, and thanking god they are here to be loved, and share their lives with.