Labor & delivery tips

Everyone's labor is different. I'm sure you've heard all the pros & cons of an epidural. Just talk to your doctor and do what is right FOR YOU. You know your body, you know your pain threshold. You want mirrors? Do it. You want a doula? Do it. You want to have your baby at home in your bathtub? Do it. One thing I remember from my labor experience is a nurse looking me straight in the eye and saying, "It's all about YOU. You tell me what you need to be comfortable and I will make it happen." So I had 6 pillows, 2 baths while being served ice chips, Zoolander playing in the background and a constant supply of popsicles and Jello. 25 hours in the hospital and I made it count. Here are some tips from my own experience + some great words of wisdom from others:

1. Have a birth plan before you get to the hospital. Epidural? Circumcision? Is family allowed in the room? Who will be the baby's pediatrician? Do you have a name? Try and have these decisions made before the bun comes out of the oven. Otherwise you're drugged up from the epidural, legs feel like rubber and nurses are shouting these questions at you. 
2. Have your hospital bag packed in advance w/everything you need to feel at home. The hospital does provide some items but if you're picky/high maintenance (like me) you'll want your own shampoo, pads & bathrobe. Google a labor checklist for help! 
3. Deep breathing. This tactic was the only way I got through contractions and getting the epidural. Tell your partner to remind you to deep breath as soon as you wince from a contraction. Even better if they are deep breathing with you and holding your hand. This is also a good thing to remember when getting the uncomfortable cervix checks. 
4. When the doc says to push, just imagine you are pooing, bare down and PUSH HARD! If you think you are pushing hard, you need to push even harder. And maybe you will poo, just remember that it is common and the doctor has seen it all so don't stress over it. 
5. Be nice to your nurses then they will be nice and gentle to you. 
6. Once you have the baby and you are resting in a recovery room, don't be afraid to let the nurses take the baby to the nursery. You need to rest and heal while you can. Stay in the hospital as long as you need, accept help from others. You are doing this for your sanity. Then you will be in better shape to care for your little one. 
7. Ask questions! The doctor, nurses, lactation specialist, etc - They are there to help you. 
8. Stay ahead of the pain - take your pain medications as directed until you feel like yourself again.   
9. Collect as many of those mesh panties & ice packs as you can from the hospital! 
10. Ask for a sitz bath. Nurse should bring you a thing to put over your toilet seat that holds warm water. Sit on it with your butt and lady parts immersed in the water and relax. Then take it home and do it consistently until you're healed. Some people use epsom salt in the water to help the healing process but I just used warm water. 
11. Hemorrhoids, sweating, crying uncontrollably...it's allll part of the experience.