Hi all, I’m 4 1/2 months pregnant with my first baby and I don’t have my first midwife appt for 3 weeks and my anxiety has been high. I feel like having some questions answered would help me feel a lot more at ease!! I know everyone is different but I just want to hear other people’s experiences.

What hurts worse, contractions or pushing?

Has anyone had a water birth and wouldn’t mind giving insight on that/their experience?

Do you feel them stitching you if you tear?

If you’ve had an epidural do you feel like you have immense back pain as a possible result of getting it?

Are you only in extreme pain while having a contraction or is there some time in-between where you can function?

Can you sleep/nap without the epidural while having contractions? Or are you just awake for possibly up to 24+ hrs because the pain is so bad?

Is there any pain you could compare it to?

I’m in Canada and seen videos on YouTube/Facebook/TikTok of women using gas, is that offered here in Canada or is that only in the US?

Honestly hearing any positive stories, with or without the epidural, would probably help ease my mind! I still have so long to go but the last few days my anxiety has been so high as I think and try to prepare for the future.