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June 2012 Moms
starting to get scared, any positive birth stories?
I'm 37 weeks and I'm starting to finally get scared. I know people have babies every day but I'm getting very nervous. I just can't imagine something so big coming out even though it's perfectly normal and happens all the time. I'm not really afraid of being in pain but I'm afraid that the pain will frighten me into an anxiety attack. I've had anxiety attacks in the past and when I hear that people are in so much pain that they are shaking uncontrollably I'm afriad that it will scare me into thinking something is going terribly wrong and that I'll panic. I am planning on getting an epidural so hopefully that will help. I'm afraid something horrible is going to happen to me and/or my baby. I wish I didn't all of a sudden get so negative and paranoid. Does anyone have any somewhat positive birth stories? Any words of comfort?
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Re: starting to get scared, any positive birth stories?
I had a really positive birth experience. It didn't start off quite as planned- he was almost two weeks early- but everything went really smoothly for me and it was just amazing to feel my body take over in the last hour or so. It knew exactly what to do. I had built up the pain to be awful in my head, but it was not nearly as bad as I had anticipated. The pain has a purpose behind it, and that made it a lot easier to deal with (for me at least).
Here's my birth story:
https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/66344745.aspx
I have general anxiety disorder, so I TOTALLY know where you are coming from. I was induced the first time so labor came on strong and fast.. I asked for the epidural as soon as I felt pain so that I was comfortable. After that I was in 0 pain.. if I felt any more pain coming I would just ask for a top off of the epidural. By the time I was ready to push I couldnt feel a thing.. that I proactively asked for them to turn the epidural off. I had pain while pushing, but at the same time it was so empowering that you feel in such control of your body (and its so exciting) that my anxiety wasnt an issue at all.
I am having anxiety this time again because I have no idea what going into labor on my own feels like. My Ob told me if I was still having severe anxiety around 39 weeks we can discuss an induction. I plan on bringing it up again tomorrow.
My advice is keep your dr's informed about your anxiety. Write a birth plan to help structure out your desires (but understand that it may not go the way you planned)... Pack your bags early.. have everything together. When I feel like I have some control in the situation it helps ease SOME of my anxiety. I hope you feel better!
Thank you for sharing. Did you not have an epidural? What did bad contractions feel like to you? Did you only feel them in your lower abdomen or your entire uterus? Thanks again for sharing and hopefully I will go a little bit early too. I'm miserable.
Make a pregnancy ticker
Thank you and I'm glad you had a positive experience. I have discussed my anxiety with my OBGYN and he said that everyone he has had as a patient with anxiety issues never had an anxiety attack during labor and delivery. He's a bit laid back and positive and I hope he's right. I have everything prepared for labor but another one of my big fears is that I live and hour and half away from the hospital so I'm hoping I don't have a quick labor. My doctor told me not to worry because I'm a FTM and it will not be under 2 hours, hope he's right about that as well.
Make a pregnancy ticker
No, I didn't get the epidural. The early contractions were mostly in my lower abdomen but as they got stronger they took over my whole uterus. I only had a very little bit of back labour, thank God, and it was pretty mild (comparatively). I got through the early contractions with breathing, and in the later ones it really helped me to be on a birthing ball, leaning forward with my DH supporting me, and the tub felt amazing. The pain of even the worst contractions was lessened so much. If you have access to one I highly recommend it- it was so calming I almost dozed off in between contractions sometimes.
I didn't have the greatest L&D experience with DS. In fact, I'm scared about this one L&D b/c of my previous experience.
Just know that it does have L&D does have an end & the best is yet to come.
GL!
Erica, don't be scared! I am a FTM and super Type A, so I understand your anxiety, but just remember that you are going to be in a hospital full of docs and nurses that are there to help you feel comfortable and have a successful delivery. No one is going to let you be in pain that is truly unbearable. Your body is built for this, and you will be OK. Also, if you really flip out, they can totally slip you something ASAP- the one nice thing about having an IV, right?
Like I said, I know jack, but I just wanted to reassure you that you are going to be OK and the staff will take care of you. For me, the worst part of anxiety is being nervous about being nervous, and your anxiety will pass. Just like the pain-- it will pass. Pack some extra cookies to give to the nurses' station in your baby bag and you will get the hook up
You can do it!