i am now 35 weeks with my second DD, i had a good labour with my first, in a maternity unit with G&A, tens, water and finally a small dose of pethidine,lasted ten hours altogether, howver right at the end DD went into distress and they told me i wasnt pushing properly it was all a mad rush but i managed to push her out in the end.
i felt fine about this second labour until just recently. i have started thinking what if this baby is bigger and i could only just push DD1 out the first time. I seem to have lost all confidence in myself in regards to labour and now the thought of it makes me feel really panicky. not sure why i feel like this because lots of people say after your first the second labour is better, quicker, and you know what to expect. anyone else due their second and feeling the same or is this some mad hormone thing?
Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.
Childbirth
fear of child birth
happybebe · 24/05/2006 23:15
happybebe - you are experiencing the normal anxiety women feel when labour is approaching so try not to worry. As a midwife I remember that panic feeling myself. Be reassured that your body has done it once before and will be more efficient second time around. Your first baby has made the way for the next one so you will probably find that this second baby will come out more easily than first time round even if it is bigger. Try the water again and you may find that is enough. Water is really helpful and allows you to move around more. Pushing is much easier when you are in an upright position.
WWW is right, worrying won't help. Try to think positivley and believe in yourself. There is absolutely no reason why you should not have a good experience this time round 
happybebe - I think it sounds like you're doing all the right things to prepare yourself.
If you had the presence of mind last time to refuse what you didn't want (e.g. episiotomy) then you'll certainly be able to do that this time. You may find you are treated differently anyway - I think second-time mums command a little more respect (sad but true) and are more likely to be listened to.
Good luck. I remember feeling panicy at about 35/36 weeks with both pregnancies but was just desperate to get the baby out by 40 weeks so was much more benign about the outcome.
i did ask midwife if i could order in pethidine but as they are community midwives their policy applys to all of them on not giving pethidine even if i supply it from doctor 
to be honest havent really seen my midwives with this second pregnancy only about 4 times so hadnt really said anything to them other than i wanted a homebirth. i just am not brave enough to face labour without the pethidine, wish i was. i see the midwife again next week so will speak more to her then and meanwhile try to relax about the whole thing.
i think part of this worry is that i have my DD this time obviously the first time there was no one to worry about but me and i am nervous about anything going wrong and having to be away from her.
thanks for all your support ladies.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.