FTM chime in STM any tips? I'm not afraid of the discomfort I'm well aware that comes with labor. I think it is the unknown that is really scaring me and the what ifs. I trust my dr but I find it frightening to completely trust a team of people for my son's safety and mine as well. I know they do this everyday, but I do not. What if he gets stuck? What if he goes into distress? Any tips how to calm the nerves would be greatly appreciated!
Re: Nerves about labor and delivery.
In normal, physiological labor, "what ifs" are very rare. True obstetric emergencies are pretty rare. There are, however, complications that arise due to the mismanagement of labor. Fetal distress and "failure to progress" along with arrest of descent are uncommon in normal/undisturbed labors. They occur more often in augmented and induced labors. So, as logic states, to avoid preventable complications you should avoid unnecessary interventions.
Also, The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp is a great book for when baby comes.
N14 Nov. Siggy: CELEBRATION!
And I totally agree about being informed. It's taken a lot of the fear out of all this for me.
Good luck!
Also, with my son I was never worried until they said ok, Mrs. D your ready to push! My first thought was "Oh, s**t What was I thinking wanting to have a baby. Now I have to push this thing out of my vag!"
Luckily, nothing went wrong and 4 contractions later he was out :-)
I also agree with the other women, inform yourself as much as possible.