How to Prepare for Labour?

Question

I'm a FTM, due anyday now.. it wasn't until recently that I realized how terrified I am about giving birth.. I know that it's a pain you forget once you hold your little one for the first time but until that happens what are some ways you got through labour? 
Pain management?  Natural/Medication? (I hope to go all natural) 
How to speed Up labour naturally?-or at least make it feel like time is passing faster!
Were you allowed to eat during your labour? What snacks helped you power through? (I'm expecting to be naseas throughout as morning sickness has returned in my last trimester 😒) 
Positive experiences? 
Things you would/wouldn't recommend during your hospital stay?

Answer

My hospital allows us to eat and drink throughout my entire labor. Do lots of squats to help open your pelvis. Castor oil AFTER labor has already started. NOT before. Massaging oil. Heating pad.

Answer

I had epidurals with both and I wouldn't do it differently.
I was allowed to eat all the way up to the point when they put the epidural in. With my 2nd, they encouraged me to eat because my ketones were low due to low blood sugar.

Answer

I gave birth at a birth center with a midwife. I was encouraged to eat and drink during labor. I had a water birth. The warm water helped tons with the pain. As for speeding up labor or making it seem fast, my midwife and doula both told me to just go on with my day like normal and try to ignore the contractions for as long as I could, until I absolutely couldn't ignore them anymore. For me that meant when I had to stop what I was doing and concentrate on breathing through the contraction. Lots of walking helps things move along. But don't forget to rest too.

Answer

I didn't eat for 33 hours because I was induced and took 24.5 hours to give birth. They let me have Italian ice and jello which I threw up. I will say I'm different with my memory of it. I remember every little thing lol I had two epidurals but the first failed on half my body so I spent 6 hours med free in the morning of my second day there and then I got my second one... which I managed to knock out when I started pushing so for an hour and a half I felt everything. And my daughter had a 91st percentile head, came out sunny side up and I'm only 4'10 with a narrow pelvis. 😂🤣😅 now, that being said... I managed by rocking back and forth between contractions, biting my pillow and knowing that I HAD to do this. She released meconium so there was a risk of her being sick so I never gave up. The nurses said I was one of the few women they had worked with that didn't say she was going to quit at least once. 😂 I knew it had to happen so I made it happen. 
Your greatest ally with this will just to keep imagining that beautiful baby's face and push like you have to take the biggest shit of your life. Don't bother trying to be modest. I shit while I was pushing, the nurse went to clean it up and stepped in it, and then my husband stepped in it. I didn't know then but now it's freaking hilarious to me 😂 giving birth is the most wonderful, most beautiful and most disgusting things you will ever do. But seeing that babies face and hearing their first cry is worth every second of agony. Whether you forget the pain or not, it will just be a reminder of your love for that baby.

Answer

Your not allowed to eat or drink once you get admitted they only give chips until after the baby is born so I recommend eat before you get to the hospital breathe  and hum through each contraction

Answer

No food during labor. Try to go sleep and relax after it the nurse will take care the baby if you are going to breastfeed they will bring it to you but if you are choice is formula let them take care of baby for the night so you can relax.

How to Prepare for Labour?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey