Thank you so much for your positive advice and for putting things into perspective for me. I was really worried about the whole thing but you have certainly opened my eyes and made me feel quite as ease. This is our first child and I was really nervous about the labour/bleeding thing but now I will just remember my little bundle of joy that I will get after it's all over.

Thank you again so much, your comments and advice has really helped me!!

Kim

The best advice to do with labour I ever got is that worst case scenario, it is 24 hours out of your life and you have a child for the rest of your life, so try to put labour in perspective, although it is expected that you get nervous and better if you are a little prepared, breathing really helped me, but the midwives will coach you through that if you forget.

Regarding bleeding, I found it was like a REALLY heavy period for the first three days and then a regular peiod for a few more weeks.  You will be so besotted by your new born, so overwhelmed by the lovely nurture you will receive from your loved ones, and distracted by the newness of it all (breastfeeding etc) that you won't even really think about the bleeding, at least I can't imagine that you will. 

You will be fine.  Take care.

Jodi

http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/6517/Raspberry-Leaf-Tea-using-it-to-help-labour/

hope this helps!

In relation to the bleeding - yes its true, but it's not as scary as it sounds.  It's just a heavy long period.  Mine never went for 6 weeks, more like 3 or 4.  It's just your uterus clearing out all the lining that's been building up for 9 months (instead of the usual 3 weeks!) so it is a lot heavier than you're used to.  But I always had painful periods, and I didn't find the bleeding particularly painful (maybe just  in comparison to birth!) but, really, it's not something to be concerned about.  Just make sure you get some maternity pads or goodnight pads from the supermarket so you're prepared.  You won't be able (or allowed) to use tampons until you get the all clear at your 6 week checkup afterwards.