So on Friday I had a doctors appointment where I learned I am (or was) 3 cm, 60% effaced, and at +1 almost +2 station. Those next 7 cm seem so small, but so far away! THen I had an ultrasound and we saw I was having contractions, (poor baby as getting squished) so I was put on the monitors and they said I was having contractions, but I didn't feel any of them. They said I am in "silent" labor... How much longer? Since I am not feeling any contractions, what did they feel like to you? So far I've heard they feel like menstrual cramps but worse, is that how they felt for you?
I'm going to try to have a natural birth, (the epidural scares me) any tips? I'm going to use a birthing ball and the hot tubs they have to offer and anything else I find that helps me during the whole process. So far in lamaze class and from other people, I get tips on how to handle contractions, but anyone have any tips on the actual pushing part? I am getting very anxious, nervous, ansy, scared, excited... ANd poor baby doesn't have a name yet! We cannot agree on one? What's your favorite boy name?

The best way to get through contractions and labor is to stay relaxed. It is one of those easier said than done things.
Pushing... Try to focus all your energy into that part of your body. As much as you want to scream, don't it waste energy for the next push. And the nurses will tell you to push like you are having a bowel movement. So, if that gives you an indication...
Remember that this pain and with each pain, you are closer to having your baby. You get a reward!

And the name.. you will know it when you see him.
Personally, I like family names. I think it gives the child a sense of heritage. My daughter, my mom and my grandmother all share the same middle name. My daughter loves it.

Labor progresses at different rates for everyone, so there is no telling how long it will be before you give birth.

As far as the contractions... they are much worse than cramps. They are cramps that radiate all over your belly... trust me, you will know when they start.

The best way to deal with them is to stay calm. It will be easier since you aren't having an epidural because you will be able to walk around. It was easier for me to deal with when I walked.
The biggest thing that helped me get through the contractions was to stay fully focused on my breathing. I blocked everything else out and concentrated on keeping my breathing steady and at an even pace. The more I concentrated on the breathing, the less I concentrated on the contractions.

The most effective way to push is just like you are having a bowel movement. Don't push like you do when you contract your stomach muscle, don't push focusing on your cervix. Push like you are having a bowel movement.

I didn't take any lamaze classed but read lots of books and watch lots of videos. When I was pushing, I pushed like the books said... like I was having a bowel movement. I can still remember my doctor looking up at me and saying "Did you take any lamaze classes" I said "no!" and she said "wow, you are pushing so good".

I only pushed for about 10mins max before my daughter was born :)

As far as the name, I agree with NowWhat... you will know when you see him :) I didn't know weather I was having a girl or boy (the baby kept its legs crossed during the ultrasound)... but I was for sure I was going to have a boy, so I only picked out a boys name. To my surprise I had a girl. For the few couple hours she didn't have a name... just "baby girl". I sat with her in my lap and 'MacKenzie' just came to me, and looking at her, it fit. My sister helped me pick her middle name.

Good luck :)

When I went into labor with my oldest I didn't take any classes or do anything other than what my body told me to do. I mean women have been having children since the beginning of human kind. They didn't have classes or anything just word of mouth from the older women. Your body will know what to do when the time comes. When they hooked me up to the machine to measure my contractions I would be able to tell them when one was coming and they just looked at me like I was crazy. When that thing would go off in the next second or two the nurses couldn't believe it. Granted this was eleven years ago now but I still remember the odd little things. It's funny what sticks when your in labor. As far as contractions went I remember it like it's two big hands wrapped around your tummy trying to squeeze that little life out of you using all the muscles in your body. Labor and contractions are the worst part of it. You will forget about any pain but the worst when you see and hold that little one for the first time. I don't remember any pain with my kids just their wrinkly little faces.

I didn't feel any real pain until my water had broke just my stomach tightening.
Wow I can't believe your already full term...
Time flys by...

Wail a min your not full term you still have a month to go, I hope everything goes good for you...

I went really fast. 9 hours start to finish. If you get to a point that you want the drugs - take them. There is no shame in it. I had gone in thinking I would do natural - I couldn't do it. I had 2 epis. (I ended up needing a c-section, so natural in the end wasn't possible - she was to big)
A friend mine once told me that you don't get a prize at the end of the day if you go natural. We all get our babies, natural birth or not. So, don't feel like you failed if you go for the drugs.

Cyrstal, yeah I know, I am 36 weeks and a some days, measuring 37 weeks. I was put on bedrest at 32 weeks for Pregnancy Induced Hyptertension, my blood pressure was so high they thought they would have to induce, so I got the sterroid injections for his lungs, and at that time at my ultrasound the baby was already measuring 4lbs 4 oz. That was 4 weeks ago so I am sure he is a lot bigger now. I get two biophysical ultrasounds a week and see my doctor once a week. With all the constant ultrasounds, they said if I have him now, he will more then likely be perfectly fine and not have to spend any time in the NICU. I am pretty sure my dates are off (my last cycle was really weird and I know I conceived earlier then when the "textbooks" say I should have). I've always known my dates have been off since I got that first ultrasound.

Nowwhat: 9 hours wow. I hope mine is that fast. I am going try very hard to not get an epidural, but I'm not going to completely rule it out, especially since this is my first and I have no idea what kind of pain we're talking about here.

My mom's first birth was only 3 hours, I hope mine isn't that fast!

Well good luck to you honey I hope evrything goes good for you and your little one

WHAT? You will wish it was only 3 hours! Especially if you want to go natural.
Trust me! I had my daughter at 38 weeks - she was an even 8 lbs. I always measured big. Each person is different and handles pain differently. I have no threshold for pain at all, so it seemed awful to me, but some people are real champs.

It took my parents 45 minutes (thats part of the three hours) to get to the hospital and by the time they got there my mom was already 9 and couldn't get any drugs, then my sister came out so fast, she almost killed herself and my mom. They couldn't stop the bleeding because of how fast it was. But then I'm sure not all 3 hour births are like that, but I don't want to go through it that fast. I'm hoping for maybe 5 hours...

I was very lucky when I had both my daughters - Mt first was 4 hours with about 5 minutes of pushing, no drugs. My second was just under 2 hours from go to wo.

My advice to you is relax and listen to your Dr/ Midwife / birthing partner.

I was scared to but once you go into labour you body reacts naturally and does its thing.

Best of luck...

Oh a boys name - Thai... love it

Whoa!! You are at almost +2 station and still at home? OMG, that's really amazing. My doctors won't allow that. You could very well have a precipitous labor (less than 3 hours). How far do you live from the hospital?

Station is determined by how far down the birth canal the presenting part of baby is (head), 0 station is at the ischiac crest and for every + (in your case almost 2), means that the baby is descending further and further into the birth canal.

I don't mean to scare you but you should really check into this.

We live about 10 minutes away from the hospital and that's with horrible traffic. Usually it takes about 5-7 minutes to get there. THe doctor said I probably won't have a very long labor when the time comes. I STILL haven't felt any contractions or anything. Just a little bit of pressure, but I feel fine. I asked my doctor about the +station thing and she just told me to be ready and to keep an eye out for any bloody show, any severe pressure, contractions, feeling like I'm sitting on a bowling ball. I looked up about the stations, I couldn't find too much info about every station, all I know is that +4 means crowning. I see the doctor again on Thursday, if I make it to then.

Good, glad you live so close to the hospital. Just do what doc says and everything will go as planned.

The stations basically mean where baby is located in the birthing canal. -1, -2, means baby is not near ready and is still up above the pelvis. 0 station means baby is at the ischial spines, +1 and so on means moving closer and closer to delivery. Yes +4 does mean crowning.

Sounds as though you may very well have an easy labor. Good luck to you.

I woke up with my pelvis and pubic bone being very very sore. I've noticed the baby is lower to to the point where the front of my pants won't stay up. I haven't felt any contractions and it was four days ago when I was told I was 3 cm 60% effaced and at +1-+2 station... I have felt some pressure, but not much, and not to the point where I'm thinking it's severe... I've had a few of the braxton hicks contractions, but other then that feel fine, except for the soreness. I'm wondering, do you think I should go and get checked? The soreness and the baby being lower is making me think it's getting closer, but if I'm not feeling anything now, I don't want to be one of those women who start feeling things at like 8cm and then end up having the baby in the parking lot of the hospital. Would you go in? Or should I just call first? I don't want to call and have the doctor on duty thinking I'm just imagining things or anything.

Oh and it's not the baby dropping,(of course he may be dropping more, but I mean its not just me feeling the baby drop for the first time) the baby dropped a few weeks ago and has been in position since about 32 weeks

I would call your dr and see what they say. If it were me I would be heading to get checked out. But I'm a worry wart. I personally think you should at least call the dr. He may want you to come in and get checked out. With the family history I would be especially concerned about things the way they are now.

Hm... I think I will do that. Thanks