My first was a 24 hour labor that included pitosin, morphine (eew, made me puke) and two epidurals. Let me tell you ladies, I think I would have died without it. Three hours of pushing and a nice tear to go with it. Not only could I not stand up to hold my baby, I couldn't feel anything below the breasts, like when to pee, etc. But, it was my journey. I had planned ALL natural.

My second, I almost gave birth in the passenger side of the car while my DH sped down the freeway with sheer panic on his face and one hand on my belly. This child slid out of my body, with nurses telling me "stop, no, don't push, you're not ready, you're not dilated" (and I was dialted darn it) within 10 minutes of arriving at the hospital. I delivered with zero meds, no doctor, and barely a nurse to catch my slippery bean girl. It was GREAT, AMAZING to feel my child slither out of my body. The pain was not to be described by words, but overtook my body and mind. I had planned ALL meds all the way, and was demandning the IV for my epidural before I had even stripped down and climbed on the bed. Funny how labors never turn out how you expect.

However, despite them being different than I expected, I would do them both again just the same. This time, I plan on taking it natural as long as my body will tolerate it. Should my plan change or fall apart, I will go with the flow, and know I am in charge of what happens and am in charge of my body, even if I am not in charge of my pain. Water sounds good, walking sounds good (no lying down the whole time, yuck). Midwife sounds good. Blessings to your bellies!