How to get through childbirth
How I did it: Started contracting at about 3:30 am. Went in the Hospital at around 5 am, they gave me an epidural at probably around 7 am, and everything after that was easy! The worst part was getting my blood pressure taken every 2-5 minutes and the contractions were making me short of breath, a very strange and uneasy feeling. Our daughter was born at 2:20 pm and it just so happens that our friends were in the room down the hall from us and their son was born at 2:43 pm, by the same Dr!
Lessons & tips: Epidurals work wonderfully if you are willing to have one. I am terrified of needles (I nearly pass out every time I get a shot or blood drawn) but I knew that the epidural would take away the pain from the contractions so, I went ahead and did it. It really is not as bad as it seems.
Stay as calm as you can, don't freak out.
Expect it to take a long time.
Resources: The Birth Book - Sears
What to Expect when Expecting (and the Journal!!)
