Induction is scheduled - and now I'm scared

kqualls5

This is a vent. So I apologize for the ranting-ness about it.
FTM here. Had my 40 week appointment today (40+3) and I'm still not progressing naturally. We scheduled my induction for this Saturday, and now I'm freaking out. This whole pregnancy I haven't thought much about birthing a child. I mean it's inevitable, so why stress about it, right? Well now that there's this date on it, I'm panicking. I'm scared I won't be able to handle the pain without pain management drugs/ an epidural. I'm scared he's going to have complications. I'm scared there's a chance of cesarian. Scared of him coming out not breathing. What if I hemorrhage. All of these worst case scenarios are filling my brain. I'm sure it's normal to freak out, especially with your first child, but I've seriously made myself sick all flippen day about this.

Ugh. Why can't I snap my fingers and just have him here.

kyraaD

i dont have any advice i guess, but just wanted to say that you certainly arent alone on this! I'm only at 32 weeks & still have a ways to go before labour, but I'm scared shitless already! the birth class I'm taking is making me feel a little better, but still.. it's scary stuff!

we can do this though, & it'll be 100% worth it! stay strong.

GoogleMD

I was induced at 38 weeks and my labor was a breeze, I loved it. I will say pitocincontractiins suck, much more intense then natural contractions. I would not rule out pain relief or an epic.I didn't want an epi, but I want progressing sing very quickly the first 4 hours. For hours in I had dilated maybe 2 cm. I got the epidural and I was able to nap, woke up a few hers later ready to push. I was labor 9hrs includings1hr of pushing. My baby was born super alert and BFon his own 45 min after birth. Don't stress, it is totally manageable.

kqualls5

@kyraaD yes!! I keep telling myself our bodies are literally made for this! Good luck to you, mama

Unknown

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PugsandKisses

Hey, just take a breather.

1) so what if you can't handle the pain with out meds or a epidural. That does not mean you are less than a mom. You just grt them and move one.
2) there is always a change with a C/S. Period. I had 1 urgent one which was not bad at all. My 2nd C/S was amazing.

3) complications can happen even if you went into labor natually. This is why you will be having a medical team monitoring you, so if complications occur, they can handle it.

4) all labor and delivery staff are trained in both CPR and NRP (CPR for neonates. Aka babies under 30 days). If not breathing, or not breathing enough, they are trained to handle this.

5)as for bleeding out, there is meds to stop that. There are surgeries to stop that. There is blood and platelets to help that.


I am not saying everything is be 100% perfect and easy, but the staff in a L/D ward have the training and experience to handle most complications.

The thing about delivery is that you just roll with it and adjust as you go. Your body is made for this, and if issues come up, some one there knows what to do.

skruhmin

Hugs hon.  You will get through this.  You will have one amazing little baby to snuggle on the other side.  That is the important thing.  Doesn't matter how he gets here, he will get here.  And everything will just be ok.  It's weird how that happens.  And you'll forget all about freaking out about the stuff you didn't know about - induction, pain, labor, delivery.  It all just fades away.

GinnyJ2012

I had scheduled my induction for my second, and he came two days later. I wasn't dilated at my 40 week appointment or anything. Things can change so quickly. @PugsandKisses gave fantastic advice so I'll echo what she said too.

doozer1345

Once LO is here those fears will change to all kinds of scenarios that could go wrong with having a newborn, then a toddler, etc. This is all part of it. It's understandable you're scared. I don't know if visualizing and knowing women do this all the time and your doctor has done all this before with (I'm sure) unexpected surprises that he/she handled as they happened. Deep breaths.

Bigboobsmcgee

doozer1345 said:

Once LO is here those fears will change to all kinds of scenarios that could go wrong with having a newborn, then a toddler, etc. This is all part of it. It's understandable you're scared. I don't know if visualizing and knowing women do this all the time and your doctor has done all this before with (I'm sure) unexpected surprises that he/she handled as they happened. Deep breaths.

SOOO true!

kqualls5

I guess I should've added that I planned on having a med free birth. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting pain meds/ blockers. I just don't want to be immobile. The thought of being basically paralyzed is a huge phobia of mine.

But thank you all. I know it'll work out and be okay in the end!!

PrimRoseMama

Trust @PugsandKisses . Pugs is good. Pugs is wise! ❤️

PrimRoseMama

kqualls5 said:

I guess I should've added that I planned on having a med free birth. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting pain meds/ blockers. I just don't want to be immobile. The thought of being basically paralyzed is a huge phobia of mine.

But thank you all. I know it'll work out and be okay in the end!!

It's really not as dramatic as you describe. Yes, you are numb-- but it's not a disabling feeling (as least it wasn't to me). I've had a med-free & epi-dosed birth. Each have their own merits.

PugsandKisses

PrimRoseMama said:

kqualls5 said:

I guess I should've added that I planned on having a med free birth. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting pain meds/ blockers. I just don't want to be immobile. The thought of being basically paralyzed is a huge phobia of mine.

But thank you all. I know it'll work out and be okay in the end!!

It's really not as dramatic as you describe. Yes, you are numb-- but it's not a disabling feeling (as least it wasn't to me). I've had a med-free & epi-dosed birth. Each have their own merits.

Have you done any classes or practicing? Most labor coaches that teach different methods (Lamaze, Bradley, Hypno...) to practice several times in the weeks prior to birth.

kqualls5

PugsandKisses said:

PrimRoseMama said:

kqualls5 said:

I guess I should've added that I planned on having a med free birth. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting pain meds/ blockers. I just don't want to be immobile. The thought of being basically paralyzed is a huge phobia of mine.

But thank you all. I know it'll work out and be okay in the end!!

It's really not as dramatic as you describe. Yes, you are numb-- but it's not a disabling feeling (as least it wasn't to me). I've had a med-free & epi-dosed birth. Each have their own merits.

Have you done any classes or practicing? Most labor coaches that teach different methods (Lamaze, Bradley, Hypno...) to practice several times in the weeks prior to birth.

Regardless of it being as dramatic as I think it is, I know it's really not what I want unless my labor takes forever and I can't handle the pain anymore.

& No, we went to one birthing class and decided to not go back. It was too weird for the both of us.

PugsandKisses

kqualls5 said:

I guess I should've added that I planned on having a med free birth. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting pain meds/ blockers. I just don't want to be immobile. The thought of being basically paralyzed is a huge phobia of mine. But thank you all. I know it'll work out and be okay in the end!!

It's really not as dramatic as you describe. Yes, you are numb-- but it's not a disabling feeling (as least it wasn't to me). I've had a med-free & epi-dosed birth. Each have their own merits.

Have you done any classes or practicing? Most labor coaches that teach different methods (Lamaze, Bradley, Hypno...) to practice several times in the weeks prior to birth.

Regardless of it being as dramatic as I think it is, I know it's really not what I want unless my labor takes forever and I can't handle the pain anymore. & No, we went to one birthing class and decided to not go back. It was too weird for the both of us.

So what is your coping plan for labor?

yogahh

No advise, just stopped in to say good luck! Women have been giving birth for millions of years. You will be fine. I'm due in May with my first so no words of wisdom except listen to your body and your doctors. And think of the lo you get to take home at the end of it all. Best wishes!

redfallon

yogahh said:

No advise, just stopped in to say good luck! Women have been giving birth for millions of years. You will be fine. I'm due in May with my first so no words of wisdom except listen to your body and your doctors. And think of the lo you get to take home at the end of it all. Best wishes!

Not really. It's only been 100,000 - 200,000 years  

yogahh

redfallon said:

yogahh said:

No advise, just stopped in to say good luck! Women have been giving birth for millions of years. You will be fine. I'm due in May with my first so no words of wisdom except listen to your body and your doctors. And think of the lo you get to take home at the end of it all. Best wishes!

Not really. It's only been 100,000 - 200,000 years  

What's a couple hundred of thousands of years between friends

GinnyJ2012

I had an epi with both of my labors and was able to move around in bed easily. I know that's not the case for everyone though. If you do choose an epidural they can be turned down or off if the dosage is too high. Also I know some hospitals do walking epidural to just take the edge off. Mine doesn't offer them, but it's something to look into if you need it.

redfallon

I put off my epi longer with DS than I did with DD because of the not being able to move. I told my husband and the nurse that at each contraction, I was weighing the idea of the pain vs not being able to move my legs on my own. I eventually got it when I didn't care anymore and wanted the pain to stop. 

kqualls5

@PugsandKisses I don't really have one. I know that sounds unprepared. But I'm just going to take it as it comes.

PrimRoseMama

kqualls5 said:

I guess I should've added that I planned on having a med free birth. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting pain meds/ blockers. I just don't want to be immobile. The thought of being basically paralyzed is a huge phobia of mine. But thank you all. I know it'll work out and be okay in the end!!

It's really not as dramatic as you describe. Yes, you are numb-- but it's not a disabling feeling (as least it wasn't to me). I've had a med-free & epi-dosed birth. Each have their own merits.

Have you done any classes or practicing? Most labor coaches that teach different methods (Lamaze, Bradley, Hypno...) to practice several times in the weeks prior to birth.

Regardless of it being as dramatic as I think it is, I know it's really not what I want unless my labor takes forever and I can't handle the pain anymore. & No, we went to one birthing class and decided to not go back. It was too weird for the both of us.

I am all about empowering women and encouraging the type of labor that each woman wants. HOWEVER, labor is not always about what you want and sometimes things get real and you decide to change the plan. Its OK to change the plan.

Monkeybutt80

GinnyJ2012 said:

I had an epi with both of my labors and was able to move around in bed easily. I know that's not the case for everyone though. If you do choose an epidural they can be turned down or off if the dosage is too high. Also I know some hospitals do walking epidural to just take the edge off. Mine doesn't offer them, but it's something to look into if you need it.

I had the same experience with epi. I felt no pain waist down but could still feel and move my legs. I felt like I had full control of my legs still. I could stand up even though the nurses told me not to.

dramaphile

Good luck today, hopefully you can put aside your fears and focus on bringing your little one into the world!

PrimRoseMama

Thinking of you today as your induction gets under way. Hoping for an experience that is as much as you'd like it as possible. Happy, healthy baby and mama.

ammnam14

Don't freak yourself out. Of course everyone is different but I found labor to be very enjoyable. I got the epi around 6-6.5cm and was finally able to relax. I didn't feel paralyzed, just numb. I feel like PP recovery is tougher than labor. 5w PP today and I'm feeling normal again. My genius on call doc left a huge chunk of my placenta in there so make sure they take that bad boy out lol. Good luck.