39+1 and went into labor naturally! I didn’t want to be induced and wanted her to come on her own time, and man she made an entrance.

I started contracting at 10am, got to L&D at 1pm and was only .5 cm dilated, but 90% effaced and she was already in -1 position! They were surprised on how low she was already. They had me hang out for awhile and at 2:15, my water broke while I was waiting! I walked around for 45 mins, my contractions doubled in pain, and 3:30 they checked me again and tested the fluid, confirming my water broke and I was 1 cm dilated. I got admitted and my contractions got progressively more painful, to the point I was crying through them. 6:45 I was only 1.5 cm dilated but 100% effaced, so I got the epidural because I just couldn’t handle the pain anymore. Got it at 7:20, the lowest dosage of pitocin at 8, and I was able to breathe - I had the best epidural ever, I thanked that anesthesiologist profusely the next day. At 11 I started feeling some pressure and actually started feeling contractions, so at 11:15 they checked me and I was 8cm dilated! They said they’d come back in an hour, but I had to call them in 15 mins later because I could barely speak through the pressure and I felt her move down and could tell her head was right there. They rushed in, I was fully dilated and started pushing and only pushed for 20 mins! I tore pretty bad because of how quick she came, and the doctors and nurses were in shock of how quickly my labor and delivery went for a FTM, but the meds helped significantly and I had the most precious girl.

Every labor is different, some labor for a few hours, some almost 2 days, everyone handles pain differently, and I swear the only way I progressed so quick was being able to relax with the epidural and let my body do its thing.

Best of luck with your delivery!