STM, TTM's: Anyone else not feel prepared for labor?

mm&es · October 2013

For DD1, I took a lamaze class, read lots of books, etc. For DD2 we took a 2 hour refresher course and I tried to do some hypnobirthing exercises. Both labors were fairly quick and I was able to go med-free. This time, I haven't even thought about any prep, and now I'm a little worried. I don't remember any breathing techniques or anything like that. If this birth doesn't go as smoothly as the others, I'm worried I won't have any coping mechanisms.

Has anyone else not prepared at all for this birth? Any recommendations for good articles/websites with some quickie tips?

gwenneh · October 2013

Totally and completely unprepared. It didn't really bother me until this week -- now that my induction is scheduled and I actually did land in L&D for some monitoring last night which really freaked me out and brought home the idea that I am *so* not ready.

I haven't really got many suggestions, since I'm kind of flailing about in a panic myself. I'm just saying you're not alone!

hologram87 · October 2013

I'm freaking out too. My sister actually asked if we had taken a refresher Lamaze class. I didn't even think about it until she said something. I feel like I didn't even really use the breathing techniques they recommended the first time. I kind of just breathed through them myself. I'm more worried about just going to the hospital, and will I know when I'm in labor. Since I have DD now and will have to call my mom to tell her to come over to watch her, I don't want to not be sure I'm in labor. So that's more my freak out.

I know there are a bunch of you tube videos with lamaze breathing techniques though. Maybe I will watch a couple just to feel a bit more prepared.

3Dewdrops · October 2013

I didn't prepare before DD1 and it went so easily and smoothly that I didn't bother preparing before DD2. I could have used some coping mechanisms! I should really find something or other for this time. It's hard when you don't know how the labor experience will be. I tested GBS positive so I will be laboring at the hospital too. =(

amberrrjade · October 2013

I've read half my Hypnobirthing book and that's about it. I've convinced myself I will be completely fine and be able to handle it with no meds. Everyone is side eyeing me but I don't care. Maybe I'm delusional but I feel I will be fine as long as I don't freak myself out.

kabrissette · October 2013

@amberrrjade - I'm in the same boat. Read about half the hypnobirthing book and a few nights a week I listen to the Rainbow Relaxation and practice my breathing... otherwise, I haven't done much. I was feeling guilty for awhile about not doing more but now I just kinda think it is what it is.

barista411 · October 2013

I didn't do anything to prepare for Labor with DD and I was fine. I just let my body take over and do what it was supposed to do. I had a freak complication during delivery so I have had more anxiety this time thinking about labor so I have been focusing more of relaxation techniques to ease the anxiety. I practice affirmations and deep breathing mediation but that's it.

gwenneh · October 2013

I didn't prepare for labour with DS and I think that was a good thing, since I went in with zero expectations and that really helped. The problem is now...I know. It's hard not to form expectations and fears!

I wish I could get to the zen place I was when I was giving birth to DS but life's just so different this time, not a lot of time to concentrate on me right now.

mm&es · October 2013

hologram87 said:

I'm freaking out too. My sister actually asked if we had taken a refresher Lamaze class. I didn't even think about it until she said something. I feel like I didn't even really use the breathing techniques they recommended the first time. I kind of just breathed through them myself. I'm more worried about just going to the hospital, and will I know when I'm in labor. Since I have DD now and will have to call my mom to tell her to come over to watch her, I don't want to not be sure I'm in labor. So that's more my freak out.

I know there are a bunch of you tube videos with lamaze breathing techniques though. Maybe I will watch a couple just to feel a bit more prepared.

This is totally me. I don't remember doing "lamaze" breathing, just doing some deep breathing. I was in prenatal yoga class the other night, and the teacher mentioned yoga breathing being different than lamaze breathing. No idea what she meant--I just kind of try to pay attention to my breath in both situations. Oh well. I have also been more stressed about the logistics of getting to the hospital than actually what happens at the hosptial--thats why I'm just thinking about this now! Good to know I'm not the only one who will be "winging" it.

Kaymee · October 2013

Umm, yes. And I'm having a scheduled csection! I was actually just starting to pack my hospital bag, and DS1 asked me to come snuggle with him on the couch. So that's what I'm doing! Enjoying this special one on one time with my sweet boy

CarrieB. · October 2013

I need to practice my acupressure points and finalize stuff in my hospital bag, but I'm just trying not too think about labor much.

Kim22 · October 2013

I'm having my third RCS but most nervous this time because there was a major pain meds mix up last time.

j&rwil · October 2013

I read half of the Bradley method book but that is all this time. I plan to go med free but had an epi with DS1 and DS2. Really hoping I am able to go med free this time though. I feel unprepared and have an occasional freak out about it but hopefully with this being #3 I will be able to handle it. Happy to know I am not alone!

drcolleen · October 2013

I'll admit I didn't do anything prior to either of my previous deliveries so didn't expect to do anything this time. But now I'm to the point where my back hurts so bad and I can't sleep more than 2hrs at a time and me girls keep elbowing my belly (ouch!) so I am ready for labor.... bring it on!

The fear that his head is measuring almost 3 weeks big is slightly concerning to me though.... it's my biggest concern so I want this to happen sooner than later.

1sloqwen · October 2013

I feel completely unprepared also! As a FTM I'm in the dark as to what "real" labor is but sometimes ignorance is bliss. Our birthing class really didn't focus on breathing so I'm just hoping and praying everything goes smoothly.

McJen715 · October 2013

I am definitely nervous this time. I wanted to go med free but got an epi last time. I'm hoping this time to hold out, but I didn't take a refresher so I'm nervous I'll forget all the techniques from before. I'm also nervous that I'll push for 3 hours again, or that she'll be bigger than DD1 and I'll be too much of a weiner to push her out. Lots of worries for sure!

karenh773 · October 2013

I'm so not ready. you'd think with this being #7 I'd be that much more prepared--but I think I'm in denial that I'm really about to have a baby--or just so busy with all the other kids that i haven't really had much time to mentally prepare.

With my first I took the 9 week Bradley course--had no worries about labor--water broke in the middle of the night 11 days early and I just went back to sleep. Ended up that contractions never started and I needed 8 hours of pitocin but had no pain meds. Felt like a rock star when I delivered.

Second child I went to 1 refresher Bradley course, no anxiety--great delivery. 3rd kid--no class but still read all the books, did the pregnancy stretching and such, sat on my birthing ball to get ready--great delivery.

4th child--so not mentally prepared--1st child had started school, I was running a business that got very busy at Christmas and I had her 12/21. I ended up with the epi b/c I hadn't prepared myself at all. had epis for #5 and #6 as well.

Now for #7 I'm so not ready. usually by this point in pregnancy I'm getting anxious for baby to be here already. Now I'm hoping baby will cook as long as possible so I can get my mind ready!

MsCrispy · October 2013

Raises hand.

We took Bradley classes last time and did a ton of research. I meant to review our Bradley handbook, but I cannot find it for the life of me.

I also find dealing with DD stressful. So not only do I have to make it through labor, we have to arrange for DD to be taken care of. It is so hard to plan since you have no idea if labor will be super quick or will take days. This part makes me very nervous.

It doesn't help that I wasn't happy with my labor last time. My water broke, but labor did not start. I was on pitocin for over a day and it was almost 3 days after my water broke before I had a baby in my arms. We were both healthy, so I am thankful, but I also would prefer a more "typical" birth experience.

brandeeteer · October 2013

What I'm having a baby? Yeah that's pretty much where I'm at these days. As a TTM - I never expected another LO and am not looking forward to labor again. But in the end it's all worth it and whether you're prepared or not LO will be coming out.

meabtahi · October 2013

I have done nothing to prepare for actual birth - no classes, no breathing techniques, not even a birth plan. Honestly I've been so worried about everything once LO is here I have not given the thought about how she actually gets here much time lol.

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STM, TTM's: Anyone else not feel prepared for labor?

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