Thanks ladies!!
I lost some clear mucus this morning, like a bunch of EWCM....I wonder if i'm doing the slow losing of the plug thing?
Mom, that is all great advice. Sounds like a lot of techniques I learned at my labor skills refresher and during lamaze with Alistair.
Sander, Mom had really good advice. I was SO SET on a natural labor with Alistair, to the point that my birth plan had them denying me medication if I asked for it and eventually I actually DID want it and had to convince them.
BUT I was induced and back to to back which put the odds NOT in my favor. But if your hospital has a tub you can labor in, def. try that. It was the best pain relief for me. I got an epidural at 9 cm and after 20 hours so I can attest to what worked for the first 20 hours of natural.....and the bath was the best!! Even a shower would help. Heat is good, or heat down there and cool clothes on your head. Agree with having a visualization. I like birthing balls but it it does kinda hurt after a bit. I also used to the squatting bar, lots of leaning over the rocking chair and rocking my hips, lots of vocalization, and I had DH telling me supportive things (even if I had to remind him. I remember I was like 'Tell me this is temporary! Just keep reminding me this is temporary!!!!' ) and TBH he just looked terrified the whole time.
Well, until I got the epidural and we both took a nap. When I woke up to push it was a lot calmer....but I'm not saying the epidural was worth it, it maybe made Alistair get stuck, there's no way to know for sure....I was just too exhausted after 20 hours of natural back to back labor with pitocin.