Anyone else just not worried about labor?

kristin172429 · December 2011

People look at me like I am nuts...or delusional, but I am not scared of labor. I'm not really even worried about it. When I think about giving birth, I feel calm and centered - ready to focus on what my body needs to do. I am not worried about pain and I don't want an epidural. I don't know if you can really be "ready" to deliver, but I feel like I am ready. I find myself almost trying to make others feel better if I talk about this by saying, "but what do I really know? reality may prove to be totally different" just to somehow make them stop looking at me like I have two heads.

Am I alone in this? I just don't buy into this crazy movie-version of labor. I feel like my body is meant to do this and my mind just has to focus and guide it along.

MigenMigen · December 2011

I was doing OK on the "not worrying" part until childbirth class tonight where we got to watch videos of all of the natural childbirths. Yeah, now I'm a little worried. (Probably the opposite effect the video was supposed to have).

avalovesart · December 2011

I think I'm "ready" for labor, but it's not something I look forward to (not the laboring part anyway!) I don't feel afraid of natural labor either...because women do this everyday around the world, but there are various fears of what could go wrong, etc. Assuming all goes without any problems, then I feel I have nothing to fear...it's that "what ifs" that get me sometimes. Like, "What if my baby stays breech and I have to have a c-section?" or "what if I get a 3rd degree tear, can I handle the pain and recovery?" So for me, I have mixed feelings about the approaching labor day...and I'm ok with that. I think it's normal to have mixed feelings about anything in life that you've never experienced before or that will change your life dramatically. It's great that you don't have any of that, but also I don't think it's an all-or-none type of thing. Some women may have terrible anxiety and fear, while others have moderate or mild amounts, and others have none. I don't think any of our experiences will be exactly alike.

tmjmeister · December 2011

I'm not worried but thats probably b/c I'm having a RCS.

But even with DD I wasn't worried. I was relaxed during labor and even when I was in pain until I got my epi (many hours later). I wasn't even worried when they asked me about the c/s, H on the other hand was freaking out about the c/s.

You are in a great place if you are truly "prepared" (used lightly) and still not worried. And movies are always over dramatic and not at all how labor should be. Any MW/OB/Doula would tell you that yelling/screaming/stressing/having a fit is counter productive to getting the baby out safely.

stefanieleigh · December 2011

I never was worried about it when I was pregnant with my DS. I think some people handle the unknown and such differently.

eewhite5 · December 2011

I say the same thing. People keep saying, oh as it gets closer you will get more nervous. But I haven't gotten any more nervous as time has gone on. People give birth every single day, why should I be worried about it?!? My sister in law is a huge wimp and she has 4 babies so if she can do it I can. I also am not really worried at all about pooping on the table or having something gross happen, it happens and the nurses and doctors have seen it all. I am ready for it all and to prove that I can do it just as well as anyone else.

Mrs.MillerJune2008 · December 2011

I not worried really. DH is, but mostly worried about the unknown I think. I've done a lot of reading and agree that, excepting rare circumstances, labor is something that our bodies are designed to handle. That said, it wasn't necessarily designed to be easy. DH and I have talked, and we plan to labor at home/out of the hospital for as long as possible. I know that being in the hospital changes everything, and I want to do as much as I can to have the non-medicated birth that I desire. If it doesn't happen, I'm not going to beat myself up about it; but I want to consciously make choices to get me as close as I can.

Currently I'm more scared about getting my house in decent shape before it falls all apart again come February....

MrsLindinger0905 · December 2011

I'm keeping pretty calm about it too - even tough I have a low pain tolerance! I'm definitely opting for an epidural and I think that's what's keeping me sane. I'm very comfortable with and trust my doctor and hospital and I know they will do their best to prevent birthing complications. If anything I'm nervous about bringing LO home!! DH and I have had very little experience with newborns.

goldenleaves · December 2011

I was 100% like this with my first. The baby is coming out no matter what, right? I ended up with a c/s and had a really good experience!

I'm not letting myself remember anything bad about the c/s or recovery this time!

susie2242 · December 2011

me.

First time around I wasn't worried about labor. I was just going to get an epi and go with the flow. Everything went really well, I got an epi right away, he came quickly and painlessly. I'm hoping for a repeat easy delivery. I was more worried about taking care of the little one after he arrived, this time as well, how I'll balance the 2.

MollySm · December 2011

I'm not really worried. I am a FTM but I have seen labor before (caught my nephew). And I am okay with getting an epidural, so that makes the whole thing less scary. I'm mostly just excited for it to get here! I want to meet her

pinksweetpea2 · December 2011

Nope...and I wasn't the first time around either. Our bodies are designed to do this.

PhysChic7685 · December 2011

I'm worried about going into labor in the middle of the night since we don't really have anyone in our town that we're close enough with to call to watch DD at 2am while I get to the hospital. I'm also worried that there will be a snow storm or something that will stop me from getting to the hospital. But, otherwise, I'm not concerned about labor itself.

kms34 · December 2011

I wasn't nervous at all when pregnant with DS. Now, I'm a wreck. This LO is measuring way bigger than DS and there's already talk of a c/s to try and avoid "repeat vaginal trauma." DS got stuck and they had to use forceps. I also had a 4th degree tear. He was only 7lb 11oz.

I'm super nervous to try a vaginal delivery again b/c I don't want to have an emergency c/s if he's too big to deliver without assistance.

Ugh!

noryang · December 2011

I am not. So I am either blissfully naive or... I am just rocking the calm right now. I AM a bit freaked out about breatfeeding and being responsible for a life for the next eighteen or so years. I mean - who qualified ME to be a parent??

nonoemily · December 2011

I'm usually a total anxiety case, especially about things I can't plan, but for some reason having this baby doesn't worry me too much. I do consider the possibilities, like complications, being transferred to hospital, c-section, long labor, etc... But I feel unusually calm about the whole thing.

I think it helps that I've had a very low key pregnancy and haven't had to do any ultrasounds, internal checks, or anything like that. The midwife just keeps telling me, "you look great, you're measuring right on schedule, your diet is good, your weight gain is good, baby is healthy and active."

Last week a good friend of mine had her appendix rupture and was refused treatment at the emergency room for several hours before she was finally admitted. She told me that the pain from that was far worse than any contraction she ever had.

halo_tx · December 2011

I'm not really that worried. For me, feeling prepared has helped me not be anxious- I feel like with our classes and my reading I've learned about all the possible scenarios and what to expect. I'm planning to go natural so sometimes I think, OK, this is going to hurt, but I guess I'm fine with that. It's just pain, it will be over, and then I'll have my baby!

Lawren · December 2011

I wasn't nervous about labor at all until we had our hospital/labor and delivery tour. Then I was a little nervous.

AndieM · December 2011

I'm not nervous either, I'm strangely looking forward to it. I plan on having an unmedicated birth, and I've read a lot, and watched a lot of videos, so eventhough I haven't experienced it, I feel pretty mentally prepared. I just have a strong sense of confidence about it. My body is made to grow and delivery a baby, and I just know that I can do it. If complications arise, they arise, but I'm informed, and I don't feel compelled to worry about the what ifs.

Mackalack · December 2011

I'm the exact way. Maybe it's because of the childbirth program we're doing, but I don't think I've been freaked out about it yet. What scares me more is after... that I won't be able to breastfeed or something else. You're not alone

christinak22 · December 2011

I try to remember only the best parts of labor, so I'm not too worried, either. I felt so proud of myself, like if I could do that, I can do anything kind of feeling. I can't wait to be done with it so I can show off the "fruits of my labor" again

mamatobe2012 · December 2011

kristin172429:

People look at me like I am nuts...or delusional, but I am not scared of labor. I'm not really even worried about it. When I think about giving birth, I feel calm and centered - ready to focus on what my body needs to do. I am not worried about pain and I don't want an epidural. I don't know if you can really be "ready" to deliver, but I feel like I am ready. I find myself almost trying to make others feel better if I talk about this by saying, "but what do I really know? reality may prove to be totally different" just to somehow make them stop looking at me like I have two heads.

Am I alone in this? I just don't buy into this crazy movie-version of labor. I feel like my body is meant to do this and my mind just has to focus and guide it along.

This exactly! Women have been doing this for millions of years and I trust my body to know what to do. Focusing on the pain/discomfort will only make the process worse. I want to focus on trusting my body and the outcome of having a healthy baby! I loved your post!

JessieJH · December 2011

I'm feeling ready- just wishing it were a little sooner (though of course I want to be fully baked).

My birth class helped DH get prepared and we have a great team of midwives- I know that my body can do this and that I'll have great support. Now I'm working on the fun part- putting together the playlist for early and late labor. That's a lot of music!

GeekMom · December 2011

I'm not worried at all. mostly just worried thatthe staff would make me have a c section.

KRISTA555 · December 2011

First time around, I was completely relaxed. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being not nervous at all, and 10 being panic attack, I was about a 2, sometimes 1.

This time around, I'm more like a 3 or 4.

I had an easy, relaxed, perfect childbirth experience. Everything was great, honestly. But, I think that knowing a little more is not a good thing in my case. I'm also a little afraid that because things went so well the first time, that I won't be so blessed this time.

jmccall79 · December 2011

I'm not stessed about labor either...though I do plan on getting an epidural. The funny thing is I'm a total wuss when it comes to pain but I'm just not worried with this. I guess my thought process is, there's nothing I can really do about it, it's going to happen...it has to happen. I know it's not going to be a day at the park, a nice leisurely drive, a margarita on the beach...IT'S LABOR and CHILDBIRTH and he has to get here one way or another. My only "worry" is will I "know" I'm in labor and get to the hospital or will I be an idiot and make a bunch of false runs and it not be the real things. But, other than that, I'm good!

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