Hi LizardBreath

Actually i dont hav a good idea abt all these but i hav a point to share with u all that, a site m not sure abt name that you can search like "Live chat with a Doctor " yes that is Healthcaremagic there we can discuss any medical issue/doubt/query with group of doctors they are online there to discuss and provide second opinion, hope it may be useful for LizardBreath;)

One option is an epidural and if it works properly with your body you wont feel anything at all during labor but the pressure, but there would be no pain associated with this pressure.

Another option is a less invasive (epidurals are injected into your spine) forms of pain relief that are given intravenously. They work but not as long and not as effective as epidurals.

As far as being alone, labor usually last over 24 hours for the first baby so typical scenario your bf will definitely be there for the birth and the hardest part of labor. If he doesn't work too far from where you live/where the hospital is then he can get to you fairly quickly. A cab or ambulance ride is ALWAYS an option for moms in labor or anyone in need of emergency medical care.

I hope this helps and hang in there! Pretty soon your bundle of joy will be in your arms and looking up at you.

just pray..pray for strength and wisdom when your time comes. Pray for serenity. And most of all have faith in your ability and your childs ability to birth.

I labored at home 100% no medical intervention. We transported to the hospital 30 mins before he was born. Having faith and a plan was what kept my mind at ease. Also learn as much about labor and delivery as you can. It really helps to KNOW whats going on with your baby and body because doctors dont always tell you.

do you have a birth plan? Or a back up person in case your boyfriend cant make it right away? We picked my mom and cousin to assist us and had 2 birth plans. We discussed each one in depth.

i was afraid also, i used the epidural and i was told some hospitals secretly lower the dosage so you can feel the pain and be motivated to "push". but fortunately i only felt two contractions...they had to use forceps to pull my son out and i didnt feel anything. use drugs and you'll be okay, your feelings are normal.

It is very natural to have increased anxiety as you approach labor. The most important thing you can do is acknowledge it....and get someone to be with you...someone you trust and that you know will really be there for you. Do not go to the hospital too soon....stay home as long as you can. First labors take on average (not everyone is average) 10-12 hours. If you go to the hospital too early they will start PUSHING your labor with medications. STAY HOME....you will be more comfortable at home and you can eat, drink and move around. Plan on playing relaxing music, drinking herbal tea, eating lightly, spending your time in the shower or better yet, a bathtub or jacuzzi. Do what you need to do to relax. Anxiety/fear is your worst enemy in labor...it can actually stop the labor contractions. So do relaxing things (take a nap, a long walk, a massage, sex is great if your membranes have not ruptured). But stay home. I would advise you to avoid epidurals (despite the previous post). Once you get an epidural your labor is not as effective and often you need to have the labor augumented with pitocin. Relax....women have been birthing since the beginning of time...your body knows what to do if you do not get in the way and start adding artificial stress and interventions. REST and RELAX. Stay home! I can't say that enough times.

Helen RN
Certifed Nurse Midwife

Great Advice! Thanks Helen. I followed the advice you gave to a T and I had a great natural birth. Me or my son were drug free! It was a painful experience I will not lie but it was such a spiritual one as well. I labored for 72 hours in the comfort of my own home. We even had a birth tub for pain releif in our living room. My husband was able to be there with me every step of the way. I could do whatever I wanted and see whomever I wanted. No one told me to sit still or be quiet. I eat eat and drink whenever I wanted.

I would have never ever rcvd this treatment had I gone to the hospital at the 1st signs of labor. We did get checked after 48 hrs though..I wanted to make sure my son was ok. He was and I was 2 cm. They asked if I wanted to stay and try walking I just about flew off the bed and said hell no! LOL

It was torture going through my contractions while strapped to a bed with the monitors and such. They said I couldnt move! How the hell do you NOT move???? Who knows.

All I know is the advice posted above is the best anyone can give, labor and delivery are natural processes and should be treated as such

it's totally normal to be nervous yep hun. i have a 16 month old son and a 6 month old daughter; son was 6 wks early daughter we say was 3 wks or so early. with son i was scared cuz he was so early but then again i was in hospital for 3 wks with leaking water on bedrest til i had him. pushing was a bit painful beyond words with son but i had 3 pain shots PLUS an epidural lol so yeah i was out of it. with daughter i went to 36 wk check up and got group b strep culture done and she checked me and i was 5cm so i went home then 2 days later had constant contractions so went to hosp but nothing happened but dr admitted me and i had 0 pain until my dr checked me on oct 20 and she broke my water with a hook thing and that hurt and gushed it was gross but i had contractions off n on after that and still no real pain to speak of but so that i wouldnt feel her head crowning i got epidural at 8 1/2 cm and she was born about 2 hrs after epidural was in place. so total i was in LABOR for 15 mins =] took 2 mins if that to push her out. took 15 mins with son

hope all goes great!

Thank you all for your replies . its very reassuring , and my boyfriend actually works 5 minutes from the hospital and we live 10 minutes away , so ive slowly started to calm down about this . My sister whom also had a baby in Sept lives in the apartment below us and plans on being home as much as she can to get me there. Also I personally Dont want an epidural but i will have the drugs that is for sure . Im now starting to get Excited because i dont know what This baby is , and i cant wait to see him or her . I have No birth Plan other then to Have drugs , Said i know but i dont want to have it all planed and it not go the way i planned