labour is a fickle thing, every person is completly different so as far as a slow labour is concerned it depends on how you would justify "slow". i was having contractions from 8am until 10pm then went into labour at about half 10 and had tommy at 4:19am, to me and everyone i know that was a very quick labour!
when you baby drops its just a sign that you are ready to have the baby, its when the head moves into position and your whole "bump" moves down. your family are more likly to notice that happening than you are.
I was only 19when i had my baby and believe me i was terrified about the pain, i said i was going to have the morphine injection, but when your in labour all your plans kinda go out the window, mine was so quick that all i was able to have was gas and air which did the job.
although i was on sleeping tablets aswel because the midwifes really didnt expect me to have my baby the same night i went into hospital.
it also depends on wether you want to have a true experience of labour or not, because an eppidural numbs your lower half and in alot of cases you cant feel the contractions.
also people dont tell you that it takes a while to wear of so you cant walk for a while after the birth, (well so my mum said and a friend of mine)
hope this helps you a bit and good luck with the delivery, its definatly one of the best things in your life!!
