L&D anxiety (STM)

lilitaliangirl · May 2015

I was induced with DS at 41 weeks and had and awesome experience. From the time they started pitocin to the time he was out was 6 hours. I was the only patient in L&D and had lots of attention which included about 3 hrs total of perineal massage = no episiotomy or tearing. Everything seemed so easy, which was good because I had zero birth plan (I don't this time either). Now I am really nervous for D-day of this one because I'm sure it won't be all sunshine and rainbows again (until LO is out, of course). I have legit anxiety and it's really starting to build up. Any advice or experiences?

starrysmile18 · May 2015

Focus on the end. I had a perfect pregnancy and the WORST labor ever,4 hrs of pushing- ending in my DS being pulled out by a doctor with a broken clavicle and being unresponsive. So yeah. I was induced that time, and this time I've got a c section scheduled at 39 weeks. While this time around will include surgery, I'm optimistic that it has to go better. And remember. Professionals are there to HELP YOU. You will get through whatever life throws at you. Child birth is not easy. You got this!

sschwege · May 2015

I had the same concerns the second time around. I felt like DD's birth was so perfect I had no where to go but down. My second birth was similar though not exactly the same, but still equally as perfect. What can't be perfect about having your sweet baby in your arms? As pp said focus on that.

virginiaunicorn11 · May 2015

A close friend had a tough first birth which I think ended with c-section. Her second labor was literally 25 minutes from the time she entered hospital doors to delivery. And she didn't labor at home, she just "didn't feel right" so she went in.

It sounds too good to be true, I know, but this isn't a friend of a friend - it's a real live, I asked her a million questions, friend. She thinks her two acupuncture sessions helped, so I will try it, too.

klkonwi · May 2015

I have terrible anxiety about labor and it's sad because that's my job. But I think that it makes it worse. I've seen too much and sometimes I have full on panic attacks when I think about labor.

klkonwi · May 2015

Also I have no idea why I can help people through labor and give all the advice in the world to calm ppl down but when it comes to my own body I am so irrational.

lilitaliangirl · May 2015

klkonwi said:
Also I have no idea why I can help people through labor and give all the advice in the world to calm ppl down but when it comes to my own body I am so irrational.

What's the saying? "Those who cannot do, teach". But, I obviously have no doubt you (or any of TB ladies can do it! ). My sister is a L&D nurse too and she says some of her worst patients are in the medical field. Probably because u have seen so much and you know what can and/or will happen.

foxa319 · May 2015

@klkonwi I'm an l&d nurse too and feel the same way!!! What if I'm ridiculous and rude to my co workers like so many other women act?! And I'm being induced! Which I just know is just terrible! I've already got the nurses curse with the cholestasis, I sure hope it stops there!!!

ciennah99 · May 2015

klkonwi said:
Also I have no idea why I can help people through labor and give all the advice in the world to calm ppl down but when it comes to my own body I am so irrational.

I totally get it. I'm a medical social worker & am pretty good at helping others calm down but it's definitely much harder when it's yourself. I have terrible medical anxiety too but I've really improved a lot with it. I started by telling myself "What would you say to your patients" & it helped. I'm doing hyponobabies home study course & the meditative CDs are great. They can be applied to other aspects of your life as well.

mindaa · May 2015

Sorry you are going through that. As a FTM, I don't really understand how any mom goes back to give birth again, knowing what's in store!

I 2nd the hypnobabies CD's. My anxiety has eased a lot since I started doing them. I got a pretty good deal on eBay, so it's almost been worth the investment, regardless of how delivery goes.

dancegurl1118 · May 2015

@foxa319 @klkonwi I am a horrific patient. And have zero pain tolerance. And am normally the most relaxed person on the planet but am going to lose my shit at the first deep variable I see. Ever since I got pregnant every single coworker/doctor/midwife says "oh pshhh please you're just going to spit a baby out, you have the perfect labor body" and they honestly have no idea what's coming. It really has been putting a lot of stress on me because I feel like I'm expected to "perform".

I'm either going to deliver at home by accident because I'm too nervous to come in and be the worst patient alive, or I'll be screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOO" with each contraction at fingertip in triage.

As for the nurse curse...it's real. I tell my coworkers they'll find out the sex of the baby before me because I'll be intubated for my crash :-SS

foxa319 · May 2015

@dancegurl1118 before I found out I was going to be induced my biggest fear was was going in and finding out in ft/thick/high!!!! How embarrassed I would be!!! Lol! I feel like I'm going to be terrible too and not follow any of their directions! At my hospital when your induced you're on a liquid diet til they start pit then are npo- f that shit! I'm gonna be sneaking food the whole damn time I'm there! I will NOT go 4 days without eating! And if they even try to send in a 1st year resident or a crna student... No way! They will be kicked out before they even get a word in! I also refuse to be put on pit until I'm at least 3 and soft, bring on the coyotec, cervidil, laminaria and foley balloon first! I've seen too many failed inductions dt pit starting too early!

dancegurl1118 · May 2015

@foxa319 I'm sure all my fears are unfounded because I trust my coworkers immensely. As for the residents...I actually love them and I honestly don't care who delivers my baby. If the janitor can get my baby out safely he can catch.

I just feel like there's such a pressure to perform and it's really stressful especially as a FTM. Yes I know the process and that takes a lot of fear out of the labor and birth, however I just know I am awful with pain and have a really low tolerance for most things in life. By no means am I against pain management, I just don't want to be on the unit for too long. I don't know...lots of stress. Yikes. Wishing you a nice anterior soft cervix

klkonwi · May 2015

@dancegurl1118 yes. The pressure to perform...... So correct!!!! Yeah and the nurses curse is so real!!!

aroyzen1983 · May 2015

@klkonwi @dancegurl1118 @foxa319 This is so interesting about you guys being nurses. I myself am a programmer but my husband is CRNA. Who works in ob unit of the hospital I'm going to deliver in. He knows most of the docs and nurses. I've already been to L&D twice for preterm labor there and every time it's such a disaster with him. Cause he gets so over protective and bossy with all the nurses and other staff. I cringe every time I remember this. He stands on top of them as they are trying to set a drip or draw my blood. One time he actual grabbed tools from the nurse who failed to place and IV first time around because he was going to do it. And I had to yell at him to let poor nurse do her job. He got really upset at that. And he said numerous times that only the actual attending doctor will be placing my epidural and not his fellow CRNA. I think that is so hipicritical since he is a CRNA himself!!! And he insists that I get induced at certain time if anything because they have specific day when new year residents start and he doesn't want any of them to be around me. I know when he is just working with these people he is really nice and professional, and that he is only like this because of me and our child and it's kind of cute in a way. But I am really getting anxious that instead of me being all relaxed during labor all I'll worry about is him being rude to his co-workers and having trouble at work.

Sammy K · May 2015

My experience was the total opposite - I've been diagnosed with PTSD from my first labor. I'm dreading having to repeat the worst experience of my life. If you're anxious to where you're having panic attacks (like me) it's worth finding someone to talk to. Have you considered using a doula? Studies show women who use a doula have shorter labors and fewer interventions. If it wasn't for our doula, I would have had my son at home and probably would have bled out. Douglas are there to help keep you and your spouse calm. Might be worth looking into.

Sammy K · May 2015

foxa319 said:
@dancegurl1118 And if they even try to send in a 1st year resident or a crna student... No way! They will be kicked out before they even get a word in!

Just be aware you might not have that option. When I delivered, all of the delivery rooms were full which meant staff was maxed out. My nurses acted like they had never seen a fast labor before and ran around like chickens with their heads cut off, adding to the chaos. I was in no condition to ask for new nurses anyway. Hopefully you don't go through the same thing and have experienced, professional staff.

dancegurl1118 · May 2015

Well it's almost July which means the 1st year residents are basically 2nd year

) like I said...bring your friends, bring your friend's friends-- if you can get this baby out faster bring the whole circus troupe.

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