How nervous are you about labor?

MommaA117 · May 2011

For pretty much my whole pregnancy I've been cool as a cucumber, almost excited for labor. My belief was that it has to happen so why worry...Now that this stitch (my safety net) comes out in TEN days I'm getting a little jittery.

The thought that the worst pain I've ever experienced could come in as little as ten days has really opened my eyes. This is really happening. Duh! Deep breaths. One day is a small price to pay for our little girl. Oooh my...Not trying to freak anyone else out. I just really hope that epidural works!

Zip it!

gymnst1013 · May 2011

I'm getting a little freaked. I've had some random pains recently that I don't think were contractions, but if they were and it's only going to get worse from there, yikes!! BUT, I'm hoping I'll go into a zone and just go with them. I think it's worse because I don't know what the cause of those pains were - contractions or just random pain.

hurricane1212 · May 2011

Some of our best friends had their little girl on Friday and she had a REALLY rough labor. Baby was "sunny-side up" and there was a lot of tearing involved as well as 3 hours of pushing. So, yes. I'm really freaked out about labor too. I'm just praying!

JayElleJayCee · May 2011

Me! Definately freaked out a little. I have been tring to ignore it the whole pregnancy and not talk about it. As the time gets closer I get more and more nervous. I know it has to happen and I know there is nothing I can do.. but it still scares me! I too hope the epi works and works well! I can't believe how close you could be! I don't know how you've done it so long on BR. If it does happen so soon, i'm sure you will be sooo relieved once you have your baby girl and you can move around and live!

jjones59 · May 2011

I'm having a rough time getting my mind around it. It's caused some panic attacks, which I had before, but who now that I am back on the anti-anxiety meds I'm hoping that this will help me.

MommaA117 · May 2011

gymnst1013:
I'm getting a little freaked. I've had some random pains recently that I don't think were contractions, but if they were and it's only going to get worse from there, yikes!! BUT, I'm hoping I'll go into a zone and just go with them. I think it's worse because I don't know what the cause of those pains were - contractions or just random pain.

could they have possibly been gas? I had some bad pains a few days ago that I am pretty sure were gas. Ones like I'd never felt before. Like two or three in a row. More upper stomach. I used the restroom immediately following and was fine.

MommaA117 · May 2011

JayElleJayCee:

Me! Definately freaked out a little. I have been tring to ignore it the whole pregnancy and not talk about it. As the time gets closer I get more and more nervous. I know it has to happen and I know there is nothing I can do.. but it still scares me! I too hope the epi works and works well! I can't believe how close you could be! I don't know how you've done it so long on BR. If it does happen so soon, i'm sure you will be sooo relieved once you have your baby girl and you can move around and live!

this is me! I am so excited to have her in my arms but every time DH says "I can't wait for Finley to be here" or "omg, it's coming" I just sorta say "yeah, I'm excited too" in a not too excited way. It's not that I'm not, it's just that the thought of HOW she's going to get here and that it's almost upon us freaks me out.

Sazhrah · May 2011

Not freaked out about labor (i am actually looking forward to it as macabre as it sounds)

I am freaked out about the limitations being put on me and how I can labor for the VBAC though. I am more freaked about the potential for a RCS.

SarahP15 · May 2011

I'm surprisingly calm right now but I think once it gets closer (or even when labor starts), I will be a nervous wreck.

gymnst1013 · May 2011

AprilLynn09:
gymnst1013:
I'm getting a little freaked. I've had some random pains recently that I don't think were contractions, but if they were and it's only going to get worse from there, yikes!! BUT, I'm hoping I'll go into a zone and just go with them. I think it's worse because I don't know what the cause of those pains were - contractions or just random pain.

could they have possibly been gas? I had some bad pains a few days ago that I am pretty sure were gas. Ones like I'd never felt before. Like two or three in a row. More upper stomach. I used the restroom immediately following and was fine.

I don't think so but I suppose anything is possible. They are low down at the very bottom of my bump and more crampy than gas pain-y. Who knows though! Could be gas

MelanieAdam0707 · May 2011

I have a weak stomach and vivid imagination so combine those two with a dash of fear of labor...and yeah...wigging out a little here too. I am imagining a gruesome bloody crazy scene and lots of pain and nausea...but secretly I am hoping I have a super calm quiet labor intensive but not OMG painful experience... at least my freakout is still happening on the inside

justme04 · May 2011

I am really nervous, primarily because I didnt experience labor in my first pregnancy since it had to be ended early.

I plan on going with a pain medication IV drip and if I dont think I can handle it with those I will switch to an epidural.

TashaK2011 · May 2011

So far I am calm about labor and can talk to other moms about it and listen to advice. However, as the weeks progress I think I will be a bit more nervous. I still have at least 6-8 more weeks (Hopefully) so I still have time to freak. My baby showers are next weekend so I think I have that to focus on and be positive about and not think about labor.

I did have cramping, especially in my lower back a few days ago while out shopping, and that was at least bearable. I have been getting a few a day for about a week or two. We will see when the time comes I guess how I will handle labor!

earl&pearl · May 2011

The closer that it gets, the more nervous that I am. But hopefully when the time comes, I am more just excited than anything. And I keep telling myself that plenty of women go through it again and again, so it has to be bearable, right?

jen&jay07 · May 2011

I'm terrified. I have never been in the hospital, never had an IV, never even had stiches. I can't even look when I get blood drawn. I'm hoping the epi works because I don't want to feel a thing! I'm even freaked out about the whole recovery. Talk of squirty bottles, witch hazel and dermablast makes me cringe!

skidunks · May 2011

I'm a combo of nervous and excited. I know what it's going to feel like and I know it's going to hurt yet I also remember the excitement of knowing the baby was coming and I was going to be responsible for getting him out.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not excited about the pain. And I'm VERY excited about the epidural.

MommaA117 · May 2011

jen&jay07:
I'm terrified. I have never been in the hospital, never had an IV, never even had stiches. I can't even look when I get blood drawn. I'm hoping the epi works because I don't want to feel a thing! I'm even freaked out about the whole recovery. Talk of squirty bottles, witch hazel and dermablast makes me cringe!

I've had stitches once and it really was not bad. The shot to numb it was the only part that stung a bit. I've had two I.V's and really they aren't too bad either. More like a pinch. I wouldn't call either pain.

It's the strong back to back contractions that scare me and the unknown. Tearing, what if I end up with a c-section, etc.

I can understand your fears though since it's all unknown. Just know the IV and stitches part won't be too bad at least. I can tell you that part..

MommaA117 · May 2011

skidunks:

I'm a combo of nervous and excited. I know what it's going to feel like and I know it's going to hurt yet I also remember the excitement of knowing the baby was coming and I was going to be responsible for getting him out.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not excited about the pain. And I'm VERY excited about the epidural.

so tell the truth. It is THAT bad?? lol

Your epidural worked well for you though?

monkeysmama62 · May 2011

I've been freaking out. It's the idea of the unknown that's freaking me out. To me the pain isn't the scary part that will fade eventually but the idea that I don't know what exactly is going to happen is what scares me. I have to be prepared for everything.

AeL347 · May 2011

nope, I am excited! The day I gave birth to DD was awesome - intense pain (& med-free) but so exciting, memorable, and you definitely get a rush of adrenaline which helps a ton.

Don't worry just trust your body and the health professionals around you... and have your loving, supportive, and calming DH close

LauraOTR · May 2011

Yep, I'm definitely getting nervous. I've been having BH that are actually painful (which Dr. says is normal), but it makes me wonder how bad it can really get. Granted, this pain is probably a 1 or 2 on a rating scale, but I'm terrified of what a 10 will actually feel like. I'm 99% sure I'm getting an epidural, because I am just not good with pain. But I'm also scared of the epidural.

So...getting nervous, for sure. Excited also, of course, to finally meet our baby, but thinking about what it takes to get to that point is daunting.

helenejr · May 2011

so far so good - i'm still just really excited to start the whole process - i haven't had that moment of fear yet - i'm hoping that my desire to finally get to hold my little one outways any fear that may arise about labor in the next few weeks!

Hbowers16 · May 2011

I am so glad you posted this before I was able to. Its getting to crunch time. Like she could be here in a month or so. I think the worst part is not knowing what to expect. I do however try to remind myself that millions of women go through this all the time, and that they survive. I have planned on a natural birth, with nothing. Its been like that forever. Well last week or so with some random pains I have started to reconsider that. SIGH* the things us women have to go through

ashleah83 · May 2011

I guess one of the good things about struggling through the pregnancy is that I look forward to the labor as relief. I am so tired of feeling nauseated and unwell. When contractions start I will be excited that it is the beginning of the end. Also 36 hrs of labor (hopefully no more and maybe less) sounds like a short/temporary time with a huge reward when it is over. This isn't like chronic pain - it will be finite and it has a good outcome

11kacey · May 2011

So tonight I started my perineum massage. It was not very comfortable. During the first few minutes I started to think "oh my goodness, labor is going to be so much worse, how can I do this"? But then, I focused on my hypnobirthing breathing and started to relax. I figure I (hopefully) have six more weeks of practicing the techniques and I think it will make a huge difference. So, yes, I was freaking out, but I think it will be okay.

Syncronicity09 · May 2011

I am excited and always have been. I have a lot of worries, but labor isn't one of them. I am looking forward to the challenge...bring it! Not sure if that will change as I get closer, but right now I can't wait.

Turtle143 · May 2011

I've always been pretty nervous. Pain tolerance is not so good here. I'm worried about the time before it's advisable to get the epidural because it's recommended to not get it too early to help the labor progress along on its own.

Bran_ham · May 2011

I wasn't worried about the first delivery, I figured everything would work out and just decided to be laid back about it. My epi did work but I had a friend whose (recently) wore off. I'm not trying to think about the bad stuff that can happen and instead focus on the good stuff, like the new baby I get to hold.

kattyleigh · May 2011

I guess I'm not the norm, but I'm seriously excited for labor and delivery again. I had a wonderful first experience and I love the magic that is bringing a child into this world.

khusker · May 2011

I'm terrified, actually beyond it... I don't do pain well and have to admit I am a total baby and I know its all for the cause of my baby girl which I am positive will be the only thing getting me through it. Originally I was 110% epidural but I have to admit that I am truly scared of getting that too and think I almost will wait it out and try without it but the nervous nancy side of me thinks that if I do not get the epidural I won't relax and Ill get tense and my labor will never progress! I just can't wait for it to be here, be over, and to have my baby girl in my arms!

Ambeerose · May 2011

I'm kind of nervous but I think I will be calm when labor hits since I've been there before...but that being said, I'm sure I will feel differently if this labor is a lot different than my 1st. The epi was easy compared to the contractions, so I would say don't be nervous about that. Especially since you can't see what's going on, its not that scary and you just want relief at that point!

MommaA117 · May 2011

Turtle143:
I've always been pretty nervous. Pain tolerance is not so good here. I'm worried about the time before it's advisable to get the epidural because it's recommended to not get it too early to help the labor progress along on its own.

from what I hear you get pretty okay breaks in between. It's when it actually progresses and they are on top of each other that I hear the not so good stuff about. Usually that part is after the epidural though. Yeah...more on that epidural working....

northtamarack · May 2011

I'm not nervous at all. For this pregnancy, I've been taking a prenatal yoga class which focuses on good poses to do during labor, visualization and breathing. I think that this has been good "training" for labor and I'll have a variety of tricks to deal with the pain.

Also, I like to know. We took a tour of the L&D floor and got to meet the nurses. After that visit, I was ready to give labor. My biggest fear was that the nurses wouldn't be respectful of my wishes. AFter meeting them my fears totally went away.

Overall, I'm just ready and have the faith and trust in my body that it CAN give birth.

mari_gold · May 2011

I'm actually looking forward to labor this time. It was a wonderful experience last time, pain and all. Honestly, pregnancy is so much worse than labor. Labor hurts like hell but it's so short - what's a day or two of pain compared to nine months of discomfort?

JuneBug0611 · May 2011

I'm not too nervous about it. I'm not looking forward to the pain, but my Bradley instructor was pretty encouraging about it -- how although it is a very intense and challenging experience, and there is pain involved, it's not excruciating, it's not more than you can handle, and it's all for the purpose of bringing this baby into the world and it can actually be a very empowering experience to rise to the challenge! And like a previous poster said, it's what, 36 hours at the high end? So no matter how painful/intense/challenging it is, you know without a shadow of a doubt that you are going to be meeting your baby within the next day or so. Pretty incredible encouragement to get you through it in the difficult moments.

I'm actually a little excited about it. I'm not going to focus on all of the possibilities of complications or horror stories. I'm choosing to focus on all of the positive stories and trust my body to do what it's supposed to do (knowing in the background that I have great health care providers who will take care of me and the baby if there are any complications and we'll have a healthy mama and healthy baby at the end of it, regardless of how it all unfolds).

bookkitten · May 2011

I am not actually nervous at all, although I feel like maybe I should be, based on everyone around me scoffing when they ask and I admit I'm not nervous. <shrug> Maybe it will change when it starts, but right now I feel very Zen abut the whole thing.

The_Birds_04 · May 2011

I am just trying not to think about it all. No resaon to freak out for the next 6 weeks. But when the day gets closer I am sure I will be a nervous wreck.

natusik670 · May 2011

I am not scared one bit. Im so ready to have her. I cant wait!

b55c · May 2011

when i really allow myself to think about it, i get completely freaked. and then i go back to distracting myself from it:) but like you said, it's one day and then you get your beautiful baby. obviously, i know i can do it but the 'unknown' pain is freaky!

pmpkn219 · May 2011

I'm definitely mildly anxious about it. I think birth classes are simultaneously helping and hurting the situation! I love feeling more informed, and visualizing myself going through it to prepare, but there's still so much unknown- like how will it Really be?

One huge thing that will help me is any pain during labor will at least be productive. Not like other uncomfortable or harmful experiences in life, this one is leading to a baby, and soon- within 24 hours ish! I think that will help a Lot. But... we'll just have to see!

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