I am so nervous about going into labor next month. My first originally due date based on my last period was on Feb.8th, but the ultrasound estimated due date is Feb. 21st. The baby is little when I was 26 weeks she was only 1 pound and 4 ounces. So I think she's going to come early. I really freaking out because I do not like pain and I have to get a Epidural and medicine through the Catheter else nothing won't get accomplished. My family told me I am close built. Will that give me complications? Also when would be the best time to go to the hospital because I heard you should try to walk and don't rush to the Hospital. What's the earliest I can receive an epidural, and they they run out? If so could I get anotherr one? Lastily, when would it be too late to receive any medication and the epidural?

As a labor and delivery nurse, I completely understand your concerns and I hope I can help to ease your stress.

At first labor will feel like period cramps. You will notice that your belly tightens then relaxes. Each one of these is a contraction. You time your contractions from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next one. So, for example, if one starts at 4 o'clock and the next one starts at 4:05, then they are 5 minutes apart.

These contractions will get stronger and closer together. Since this is your first child, I assume, you should go to the hospital when your contractions are about 5-8 minutes apart, if you can stand it that long. If not, it's okay to go to the hospital sooner.

Many hospitals and many doctors have different criteria that determine when you can get your epidural. Where I work I give the epidural when you can't tolerate the pain any longer as long as you are making cervical change. Until that time there are pain medications that can be given through your IV. The epidural usually goes on a pump so that you get a continuous dosage, if it wears off the anesthesiologist can put more medicine in the bag that contains the pain relief for the epidural. So, in the end, you actually only get one epidural.

It is usually too late to get IV pain meds once you reach 7-8 centimeters dilation. You still may be able to receive the epidural at that point if you are not dilating too quickly.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Please don't start new threads with the same information and concerns. Just continue with this one.

Before I had my first baby, I thought labor contractions were non-stop, with no relief for hours. I found out to my delight that there was time in between each one. My first labor lasted 12.5 hours but was mostly boring. My second labor (for which I was much better prepared) was only for 6 hours and was almost fun. I had learned how to relax during contractions and focus on one place on the wall. This kind of control helped tremendously.

Is there a Lamaze class offered in your area, or a class for teaching breathing to be used during the different stages of labor?

Yes, my first Lamaze and child birthing class starts Saturday. Thank you for the helpful information, because I'm a over thinker. Is it usual to feel pressure in that area(vagina) I feel so much pain, I barely can get out the bed ,and put my jeans on. Also sometimes I bleed a little.

Think about labor as being useful and is your body hard at work (not useless pain) pushing the baby out. Each contraction means the baby is closer to being born, so you know it will end.

And unlike heart surgery or cancer surgery when the patient is very sick and could die, labor and delivery are joyful happenings, and you will even get to take home a cute little prize!