Overcoming Labor Fear

sopheesjoy15 · September 2015

I'm a FTM and I'm due in 9 days

christina4436 · September 2015

I still have 8 weeks to go and starting to freak out inside. This is the only thing I'm pretty scared of!!

KateLouise · September 2015

I've had two great med-free births, but I think feeling nevous is pretty normal, because even if you've done it before every labour is different and unpredictable.

Is there something imparticular that has you worried? The pain? Interventions? Tearing? Recovery? etc etc

irsikb · September 2015

^^^^^ I'll take (d) for all of the above, Bob. I'm terrified of it all. But ready or not it's a comin!

kanga915 · September 2015

Remember women have done this for thousands of years. Your body was created with the ability to do this. Women all over the world are birthing with you. Think of how many women you know who have more than one baby, that means they did it and decided to do it again. Watch birth videos to see how normal it is. I think the media makes birth look scary. In movies there's always panic and screaming and it's always an emergency. That's not the norm. You can do it.

boydgirl123 · September 2015

You can do it! I know with my first everyone always told me the horror stories, but no one told me it was possible to have a 7 hour start to finish non medicated delivery! I'm on my 4th now, and I even look forward to going to deliver.

not that it's painless!

fifi2595 · September 2015

I'm havin my four baby but I'm scared of labour pains

fifi2595 · September 2015

I'm havin my four baby but I'm scared of labour pains

thegingeravenger · September 2015

I was up late last night reading Lucie's List Postpartum section. I loved her candor on the whole experience. It's a little bit of a time investment, but I completely recommend it. I'm nervous, but baby has to come out somehow. In my (twisted) mind there's no reason to really panic about the inevitable.

delujm0 · September 2015

There's plenty to freak out about, but the pain shouldn't be bothering you. Epidurals are magical pain erasers. I had horrible back labor for almost 7 hours before I got my epidural but as soon as it went in it was painless. And I forgot all about the previous pain. Adrenaline is helpful in that regard. Get to the hospital as soon as they'll allow it and get the drugs if you need them. I tried to be a hero and stay home as long as I could...I didn't realize that it would be almost 3 hours that I was at the hospital before I was fully admitted and got the epi placed. Should have left home earlier.

The post-partum pain in real though. Especially if you're breastfeeding. It's painless now but omg I never want to relive those first two weeks again.

christina4436 · September 2015

delujm0 said:
There's plenty to freak out about, but the pain shouldn't be bothering you. Epidurals are magical pain erasers. I had horrible back labor for almost 7 hours before I got my epidural but as soon as it went in it was painless. And I forgot all about the previous pain. Adrenaline is helpful in that regard. Get to the hospital as soon as they'll allow it and get the drugs if you need them. I tried to be a hero and stay home as long as I could...I didn't realize that it would be almost 3 hours that I was at the hospital before I was fully admitted and got the epi placed. Should have left home earlier.

The post-partum pain in real though. Especially if you're breastfeeding. It's painless now but omg I never want to relive those first two weeks again.

Ugh I thought labor would be the worst. Not
After... Greattt !

MaeMae91 · September 2015

I recommend Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. The first section is all birth stories, which really helped ease my fears, and the second part goes more in depth into the different approaches to labor and delivery, along with information that gives ideas on coping with the pain. Ina May is a midwife, so it's mostly talking about unmedicated births and home births, but the info can translate into a medicated hospital birth, too, if that's what you want

Good luck!

tstew96 · September 2015

I haven't been scared or worried about it until last night I woke up with such strong contractions and hip pain (all apparently from just how I was laying) that I was convinced i was going into labor. The thought of that made me almost start bawling and I realized how unprepared I am for it. I want this little guy to stay cooking for awhile longer so I can mentally prepare for it

mommyTARDIS · September 2015

I am 32 weeks and as much as I just want to meet my little guy already, I want him to stay in here and healthy.
Also, I am really nervous about going into Labor; then when, where are my biggest concerns right now. I keep hoping its not while I am at work, while I am on a call with someone trying to book an appointment for them (or worse, an irate client who won't take "The manager will call you back"for an answer)
Im worried about how I will be while in labor as well, if it's going to be really tough or easy. This is my first child and I am starting to get really nervous. I feel completely unprepared for having him...
All of a sudden, the past 2 days, I have been getting lower back pain, even when I sit down in a proper position, and I am hopping that this is not a precursor that I will be having back labor pains, b/c I do not do well when my back hurts.

TacoSarah · September 2015

My approach to this is it's temporary and there will be people there to help me get through it. I've been watching a lot of births and although some women are miserable whilst in labour, as soon as that baby is out the sheer joy on their faces makes it all better.

I'm also seeing it as a challenge. To borrow Mikey's speech in the Goonies:

The next time you see sky, it'll be over another town. The next time you take a test, it'll be in some other school. Our parents, they want the bestest stuff for us. But right now they gotta do what's right for them, 'cause it's their time. Their time, up there. Down here it's our time. It's our time down here. That's all over the second we ride up Troy's bucket.

Well it's going to be MY time and I never say die!

redfallon · September 2015

bichita87 · September 2015

I'm absolutely terrified of everything during labour and after!
I'm scared of ripping im scared I'll never go back to normal down there and that sex will forever be awful after this!

I'm having so much anxiety and every day I question if I want natural birth or a C section (though I don't think I'll have an option) but it's super terrifing.
I know .. I know many people have done it in the past... But do they live their entire life broken!? Having leaking problems? It's just not something I'm ready for!

Help!!!

christina4436 · September 2015

bichita87 said:
I'm absolutely terrified of everything during labour and after!
I'm scared of ripping im scared I'll never go back to normal down there and that sex will forever be awful after this!
I'm having so much anxiety and every day I question if I want natural birth or a C section (though I don't think I'll have an option) but it's super terrifing.
I know .. I know many people have done it in the past... But do they live their entire life broken!? Having leaking problems? It's just not something I'm ready for!

Help!!!

Some people unfortunately don't go back to the way they were before. It's just the risk you take! I think it's somewhat rare but have heard stories! You don't get to choose nor I don't know why you would want to have a csection unless needed or previously had one. It's a major surgery with more recovery time. The alternative isn't necessarily natural, you can get an epidural if you are scared of pain.

Bigboobsmcgee · September 2015

bichita87 said:

I'm absolutely terrified of everything during labour and after! I'm scared of ripping im scared I'll never go back to normal down there and that sex will forever be awful after this! I'm having so much anxiety and every day I question if I want natural birth or a C section (though I don't think I'll have an option) but it's super terrifing. I know .. I know many people have done it in the past... But do they live their entire life broken!? Having leaking problems? It's just not something I'm ready for! Help!!!

Calm down woman! Those things MIGHT not happen to you and you have NO way of knowing so try to chill.

JulieandJoe2010 · September 2015

Don't stress! It can be just fine! My first was 2 years ago. I was 4 days overdue when my contractions started. Don't be afraid to call the advice nurse or go in. Went in the first time, and they told me to take Tylenol pm and get some sleep. 2nd time, they gave me a shot of morphine. Said if I woke up, and was still in pain to come in and they'd admit me. Came in the next morning. I had to brave a few hours of contractions, and hubby rubbing my back before some pain meds through the iv, and my epidural (I didn't even feel a pinch!) After that, it was a BREEZE!) Just laid in the hospital bed pretty much all day relaxing with my hubby and parents until my water broke, and I was at a 10 ready to push. Pushed for 40 min, and she came out! Felt pressure during pushing, but nothing bad. Just had a couple inside tears (think of a stretch mark inside) that they put a couple stitches in, and I was DONE. Think positive!!

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