My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

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.

Pregnancy

Can the anticipation of labour be exciting?

27 replies

coneywonder · 27/06/2015 19:39

I'm not crazy, but is there any women out there who are excited at prospect of labour?

I'm due in a week and a half and I've been having a few wobbles about how nervous I am about the pain and everything else but there is a part of me that's excited to get it all started and know I'm going to meet my baby.

I'm interested to know if any mums who have been through it are looking forward to it again?

Don't scare me! Haha

OP posts:
Report
NoMontagues · 27/06/2015 19:45

Of course! Unless you're booked in for a cs, then labour is what you have to go through before meeting your baby, so bring it on!

I've done it twice so far and hopefully I'll be doing it again next Jan / Feb.

Labour is called labour because it's bloody hard work, but nothing worth having comes easy, does it? Smile

Report
coneywonder · 27/06/2015 19:47

No it doesn't. Your right. I'm looking forward to meeting my baby so much now that when it starts I reckon I'll be excited. I don't know how long it would last mind!

OP posts:
Report
CityDweller · 27/06/2015 19:49

I was really quite up for it/ excited. I think that really helped me stay relaxed and I had a strong belief that I 'could do it'. Labour was painful, but also in many ways amazing. I'm kind of looking forward to doing it again!

Report
SweetAndFullOfGrace · 27/06/2015 19:53

I know what you mean. I knew that one way or another the baby had to come out. And there is no straightforward way to do that + I wanted to be not pregnant and have my baby.

So I had kind of psyched myself up to be ready for the challenge. Waiting was so frustrating!

Report
coneywonder · 27/06/2015 19:55

That's exactly how I feel sweetandfull I hope the mindset continues!!

OP posts:
Report
Sansfards · 27/06/2015 20:00

I didn't get this feeling until labour and really only I knew I was definitely

Report
Sansfards · 27/06/2015 20:03

Ah, what the crap? ^
Anyway, yes I felt like this in labour. I think I was playing it cool up until then, a few friends had had false starts, but once I knew it was all systems go and I was surviving quite nicely I felt this and I really think it's what kept me sane. It is hard work but amazing if you think about it. Good Luck

Report
TheEmpressofBlandings · 27/06/2015 20:07

I had three great labouring experiences so looked forward to it the second and third time, once I knew it wasn't so bad! And actual childbirth was great, I'd choose giving birth over being pregnant again any day. Shame you can't have one without the other!

Report
coneywonder · 27/06/2015 20:13

These replies make me feel even more positive I love mumsnet.

OP posts:
Report
pickwickcrocus · 27/06/2015 20:15

Yes, definitely! I did a hypnobirthing course and it was all about feeling calm, confident and in control. I was totally up for the challenge and couldn't wait to meet our babies (both times).

Any wobbles I had, I just kept reminding myself that my body is built to do this, one of the mantras was - trust your body, it knows what it's doing.

Very happily for us, it worked. Labour was intense and very hard work but even second time around I was definitely excited for things to start happening!

Good luck Grin

Report
coneywonder · 27/06/2015 20:56

I have done a hypnobirthing course too pinkwick hopefully it works for me too. I listen to the affirmations as often as I can. I wish I knew when it was going to kick off so to speak!

OP posts:
Report
HighOverTheFenceLeapsSunnyJim · 27/06/2015 21:03

I'm looking forward to it! I had a great labour with DC2, & bits of my labour with DC1 were good too Wink. I'm 39w now so it could be any day, sometimes I feel a bit apprehensive but I know that I can do it - it's hard work but millions of women around the world will be doing it at the same time as me & I am really looking forward to meeting my baby.

Report
MishMooshAndMogwai · 27/06/2015 21:11

I'm really looking forward to it!

Dd was a textbook birth and I really enjoyed it, this time is a planned home birth so fingers crossed I'll be able to do it all again in my own home!

My first birth filled me with self confidence and a complete belief that I can tackle it head on and come out the other side smiling!

and I quite liked being centre of attention

Report
HighOverTheFenceLeapsSunnyJim · 27/06/2015 21:12

I think labour is a bit like being on drugs & uninhibited. You get to wander about totally naked demanding everyone do what you like - push on my back! Now! Not there! I need to get into the pool! More water! Drink! etc. Good times!

Report
coneywonder · 27/06/2015 21:49

Haha brilliant!

OP posts:
Report
CuppaSarah · 27/06/2015 21:58

I can't wait and I'm only 13 weeks. Really enjoyed it last time. It was pretty long and tiring, but it was the calmest and freest I have ever felt. Things didn't go perfect either. Dd showed signs of distress and needed vontouesse, but it was absolutely fine and no big deal. I still felt so calm and in control despite the assisted delivery.

So if an assisted delivery could be enjoyable, I can't imagine how lovely a normal vaginal delivery is going to be this time. Obviously it will be work, but I like a good challenge.

Report
coneywonder · 27/06/2015 22:06

These replies have made me feel so much more positive.

I hope you have a lovely experience this time too :)

OP posts:
Report
SitsOnFence · 27/06/2015 22:13

Yep, I was so bloody uncomfortable with both mine, that I was very eagerly anticipating being not-pregnant. The birth was a minor detail in the process of achieving non-pregnantness. The baby was a nice bonus. I was also curious to experience it. Luckily I had lovely, easy births, so all was good.

Report
coneywonder · 27/06/2015 22:14

Sounds good sitsonfence I'm eager to know if you get that 'Ah I'm not pregnant' relief straight away? Or whether your bits are too sore for all that

OP posts:
Report
K8eee · 27/06/2015 22:23

I was so excited when my waters broke with dd1. I woke dh up at 6am, no contractions but I was ecstatic and nervous Grin am currently pg with dc2 and not scared about the labour, more the caring for 2 kids thing Grin I was induced with dd, had a VERY long process but she was totally worth every bit of pain, uncomfortable Ness, and lack of sleep or rest I got/get. it's amazing how much you forget once you hold that baby Smile

Report
coneywonder · 27/06/2015 22:37

Did your contractions not start naturally once your waters broke? It's nice to know that even when things don't go to plan it can still be a good experience.

OP posts:
Report
K8eee · 27/06/2015 23:25

well within our trust they have the rule that if your contractions don't start naturally within 24 hours you're to be induced. I had both pessary and drip. 48 hours and 6 mins after my waters broke my gorgeous dd was born via forceps and epidural. hasn't put me off one but thankfully Grin

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Appleblossom82 · 27/06/2015 23:37

This reply has been deleted

This poster has privacy concerns, so we've agreed to remove this now.

milliemanzi · 28/06/2015 00:04

Before I got pregnant I was terrified of childbirth, now I'm 23 weeks I feel so much more chilled about it, maybe coz it's the inevitable so I just have to accept it? I'm still scared but also excited at the thought of going through such a life changing thing! (This is my 1st)

Report
Stinkersmum · 28/06/2015 00:06

I wouldn't say I was excited about the prospect of labour bit I am very curious to know how I'm going to handle it....

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.