Like many new parents--to--be we approached the birth of our first child with excitement, trepidation and confidence that we would do everything right and be fully prepared for this "blessed event". My husband and I faithfully attended our Lamaze classes, practiced my breathing and his timing and were totally prepared when that first labor pain started.
Now after 5 (healthy) births I feel like a real expert and am ready to give advice.
The first birth is the "hardest", only because you have no idea what to expect. I woke up Sunday morning with an "interesting" pain. It was nothing like all those Braxton Hicks that I had been having for months. It started with a sharp pain in my back and seemed to circle around to my stomach. I knew it was real labor but I also knew I had a long while to go. All day we went about our business -- shopping, meeting friends for pizza... with that little reminder popping up every few minutes. I endured this light labor all day until the evening when I decided I had had enough and it was time to go to the hospital.
We arrived at the hospital at 10 PM. I thought that was it! I had been dutifully timing contractions as my husband sped to the hospital. When I arrived they checked me and told me I was only 3 centimeters dilated and I should go home and come back later. After that uncomfortable car ride, I refused to get back in the car so they let me stay.
Good thing I did. We set out to do our Lamaze just how we had learned. It went something like this: At each contraction my husband would, ever so sweetly, say "Breathe". I would snap back at him "I AM BREATHING! WHAT DO YOU THINK, I'M HOLDING MY BREATH?!". So much for Lamaze training. Our son was born three hours later.
The next baby I was more experienced. I went to sleep already in light labor and I woke up at 3 AM in not as light labor which let me get prepared and make arrangements for our son. This time I knew to stay home until I couldn't take the pain any longer arriving at the hospital at 9 AM. Lamaze was out of the question this time, but what was I going to do? I created my own "Lamaze". At every hard contract I would hold my breath and shake my head real hard from side to side. Our daughter was born three hours later.
Our third child followed the plan. After waiting at home till I couldn't take the pain we arrived at the hospital at 6 AM. Our son was born at 9 AM.
I went into labor with our fourth child on Thursday afternoon as I was preparing my three children and myself to go to a cousin's wedding. I didn't even mention it to my husband until the five of us were in the car on the way to the wedding. All evening people would ask me "when are you giving birth?" I would smile and answer "soon". I saw no reason in making 300 people all nervous by announcing that I was in labor.
This light labor lasted more than 24 hours. I arrived at the hospital at 5:00 the next evening. This hospital had a few delivery rooms which seemed to have very thin walls between then. It seemed I picked a popular time to give birth. I heard three women yell out in pain in turn and then the beautiful sweet sound of a newborn baby being born. It was like each woman took their turn. So then I decided it must be my turn. I said to my husband "I'm going to scream". He looked at me like I was crazy, but I did it. At each contraction I gave out a good yell. (I really thought my husband would just run out of the room.) This method worked great. A few good yells and there was our new son.
Now for my fifth child I decided that I'm getting a little older and I was ready to face my first epidural. As usual, I arrived at the hospital when I could no longer take the pain. As usual, I was told that I was only 3 centimeters dilated and I have plenty of time. At my insistence they let me lie down. Half an hour a nurse came to check me and said "how did you do that? Let's check you in quickly." Finally, they were taking me seriously! We spent a few minutes filling out the forms that they didn't when I first came. I went to the delivery room and I told them that this time I want an epidural. "Sorry", they said, It's time to start pushing. And that was it. Our daughter was born only two hours after I had arrived at the hospital.
Now, people will always tell you every birth is different. Not true, I had five births that each was exactly alike. People will tell you to walk around to speed up your labor. Not true. The minute I lay down and get comfortable things start to move. People will tell you that you must do exactly what you learned in Lamaze class. Not true. You must do what works for you.
I know I was very lucky. Five very short labors and five simple births. But the "luckiest" part was that I took home five beautiful, healthy babies.
