I had a loose plan in my head the second time around. Nothing written down. The first time, I really had no idea what I was going to be up against.

I know that going into the labor room, I did not want a whole big list of things .To .Do. I'm not a hugely controlling person anyway, so maybe that had something to do with it.

About the episiotomy vs tearing: that will be a great thing to talk to your doctor about. S/he might say it will depend on how much you stretch, etc. Ask if they do perineal massage to help aid in stretching.

The only thing I was adament about was *no episiotomy*! I was induced, and wanted to wait as long as I could before getting pain relief, because I was paranoid that it would slow the process down. The nurses misunderstood me and started praising me for "going natural". I was quick to remind them that they better have someone standing by with a needle if and when I ask for it!

The only part of labor that was hard for me was the transition stage. I was able to breathe through the contractions without much difficulty before then, but once I hit transition it felt like all hell broke loose inside. No matter what position I tried I was in agony from head to foot. Breathing did nothing for the pain and I was completely unable to focus.

I'm glad I went into it with an open mind, because I believe it ultimately helped me. Because I had faith in myself, I didn't assume I couldn't handle it and get the epi early. And because I wasn't afraid to ask for help later when I really *couldn't* handle it, when I got my epi the rest of my labor went smoothly. I was pushing about 45 minutes later, and felt no pain or discomfort at all while pushing. She was out in less than 10 minutes.

As long as you have a general idea of what to expect, I think you can trust yourself to make the right call as things progress.

I had a great birth plan.

You have to just stick to your guns.

I posted on .Jparry's thread about my birth!! Check it out!

Sarah

Umm. Nope not i

I did take prenatal classes, and I had a flexible plan lol

it didn't end up the way I hoped

I had a birth plan, but keep in mind I was having a scedualed c-section. But I had everything mapped out so that I knew what was going on with me and my baby. However, my baby decided that she was going to come out the monday before my section. I forgot my plan and they took my baby away and no one went with her. I was so mad....I yelled at my mom to go and find my baby and to stay with her because I didnt' want her to be alone. My mom was like 'i need to stay with you' and I told the nurse to show my mother where she needed to be. My mom kinda took the place of my husband.

But I guess they wisked the baby away because she had respatory problems in the first few mins and there was maconium in the fluid, but what I found odd was that they didnt' tell me that they were taking the baby away. Just make sure that they tell you where the baby is going and that you want your labor partner to go with the baby leaves.

I had one the hospital had me fill it out even though they only followed mayyybeee 50% of it!

I have somewhat of a birth plan.... I know I have no desire whatsoever to go natural, but I don't want to be too drugged up either. I'm going to just try to go with it... But I definitely plan on having an epidural!

I'm going to try to go with gas then pethadine the epi if I need one, but i'm going to try without an epi. Otherwise i'm just going with the flow!