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1st Trimester
My baby needs an exit strategy... and I don't like either option!
I think I'm in google-information-overload.
I never imagined I'd be pregnant. Seriously, never. I'm a pre-nursing major, currently studying anatomy. Very few things gross me out. I find the human body fascinating. And now this evening I realized that this child has to actually come OUT of me at some point.
So my smarta$$ watches a few vaginal birth videos and then reads about c-section... I'm NOT liking my options here! Babies are small... except when they are coming OUT! I'm totally freaking out right now. I know women have been doing this for thousands of years - but that means diddly squat to me knowing now I have to do it! ACK!
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Re: My baby needs an exit strategy... and I don't like either option!
As someone who had to have a csection, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Don't choose that route. It's all worth it for that precious squishy baby that comes out. And there are meds. Don't forget about the awesome epidural!
Twin boys born too early at 17w4d and 18w2d in February 2010
Transabdominal cerclage placed September 2010
DS born at 35w1d in February 2011
Twin girls born at exactly 36w in February 2013
Last time around I was totally freaked out about birth and pretty much stuck my head in the sand for most of my pregnancy. I took a 1-hour childbirth class, but I didn't remember any of it when I went into labor. I had a 36-hour labor, for most of which I was strapped to a hospital bed being monitored. They didn't let me eat and I didn't get the epidural until 18 hours in. Needless to say, I was exhausted and drained. When they finally told me I could push, it was heaven! As freaked out as I was about pushing a baby out, that really was the best part for me.
This time around, I'm doing the opposite - I'm reading as much as I can about childbirth, watching the videos (!), trying to figure out what I want and don't want so I have a clearer idea of how to tackle childbirth.
I'm not saying you need to start figuring things out right away, but I would definitely give it some thought as you get closer to your due date.
At 9 weeks I went through the exact same frightening realization - that "omg I have to get this baby *out* somehow" panic! At the time, I figured my feelings about birth would build and build for weeks, eventually driving me completely crazy - but I was wrong, and somehow I haven't thought about it even once in the last couple weeks. Right now I don't feel worried at all, so I guess it will come and go? I hope it does the same for you!
That being said, when I am worried, all the "Oh it's not so bad"s and "But it's over so soon"s in the world don't help a bit. I always appreciate them, but they just don't sink in while I'm worrying!
LMAO!! OMG! This is soooo funny to me. I swear this is one of the reasons why I never wanted to have any. My threshold is so low for pain, that I wouldn't even get a tattoo when I wanted one for years when I was in my 20s. This year I lost about 35 pounds and started feeling all super sexy and bold and I finally resolved that I was going to get a tattoo on my birthday. Well...lo and behold about two weeks before my birthday I find out that I was pregnant with my first baby that I had resolved I would NEVER have.....so the tattoo goes on hold for now and I've gotta man up or better yet "woman up," get over my fear, and belly up to the bar...or belly up to something.... Am I nervous? Yep....super nervous!! But what keeps me sane is the fact that so many women do it every day. So I'm gonna have this ONE. And that is it! LOL
Everyone is different and you will hear all kinds of horror stories. I had to be induced due to pre-eclampsia. I heard all kinds of stories about failed inductions because the baby isn't ready, etc.
I was convinced I'd end up with a c-section, but I was ok with it because I knew DS needed to come out, and I felt awful.
I went in to be induced at 530am, my doctor got there at 7, started my pitocin and by 1231 I was holding my baby boy. My 8# 15oz baby boy that I pushed out.
And here I am again, can't wait to do it again. That feeling of seeing and looking into your babies eyes for the first time makes everything else disappear.
I think the most important thing is to be flexible. If you go into labor with a specific plan, and things don't go according to plan it can really stress you out. Obviously we all have our ideal birth plan, but just be prepared you may have to deviate from that if need be.
If you're pre-nursing you should know, or will soon find out, that birthing a baby vaginally is normal and most women's bodies are made for it. Very few women can't deliver vaginally when given the right support and environment to make it happen.
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Nov siggy challenge: animals eating Thanksgiving food
Rhys - born 04.17.2013
Harry - born 04.18.2016
OMG I was crying laughing at this post! This was GREAT! Thank you so much for sharing!
I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one who is scared. I fear an episiotomy or tearing, etc. I know it will happen. I have plenty of friends who have done it. I was there when my sister's planned natural birth turned into an emergency c-section due to decels in the baby's heart rate - I'm just such a control freak.
I'll get through it - especially with all of your support. TY ladies!
Seriously, when you get to the end of your pregnancy, you'll just strangely be at peace with it. You'll be so annoyed with your limited mobility and general discomfort and you'll just want your body back. Add labor into the mix and you won't care how it gets out. Also, think of it this way - it's only one day of your life. No matter what happens on the day you give birth, the following day will be the best day of your life. I promise. If I'm wrong, I'll give you my address and you can fart in a box and send it to me.
I concur with everyone here that you should try not to worry yourself about it. It really is only one day of your life and at the end you get the most amazing gift and blessing.
I have to add to this post, though, that my recovery after my vaginal birth was not shorter than for some people with c-sections. I had a lot of damage and needed some repair work. I depressed me because I had never heard that recovery from a vaginal birth could take so long. So, I certainly do not want anyone to be afraid of it, but you should know that it can take a while to recover from any birth. On the other hand, I had friends who walked around Target the next day without a problem.
I would suggest taking a class like hypnobabies which will give you the tools to relax and work through your fears before and during your labour but I have also heard it is very helpful in general for parenting and life after labour.
I did not take a hynobabies class my last pregnancy but plan to this time as we are aiming for a home birth and feel it will be super helpful.
You will do fine as other posters said it is such a short part of pregnancy and your body is made for doing this - you CAN totally do this!!
Layne-May 6, 2013
Callie-February 14, 2011
Whether you go natural, with interventions like epidurals and pitocin, or with a c/s it is most important to be informed of your options and to seek out medical professionals that will support you as well as your birth plan. You of all people can appreciate the abilities of a baby to work with you to be born.
It was recommended to me and I recommend it to anyone nervous about the childbirth to watch a movie called Orgasmic Birth. It is about natural childbirth, mostly at home and in water, but it is very encouraging. It is unlike A Baby Story or anything on regular TV, those are just worthless drivel. (It isn't as awkward as it sounds.) Stream it on Netflix!
In your third trimester you will feel a huge urge to get that baby out. Your mind probably wont be playing the details. However, I have had a csection and not saying everyones is like this but my experience was horrible. I am still having pain and its almost 7 months out. For me there really was no true reason for the csections I was basically bullied into by my Dr. Once you see your baby you will not be thinking about all those details of where he/she came out I promise.
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