I'm 37 weeks and I think it's suddenly hit me that in the next couple of weeks I am going to be in labour and giving birth and there's nothing I can do about it. Until now I've been pretty cool about it all because it seemed so far off and I was feeling rational. But now I just feel scared and a bit like I could cry. I want my baby here and I want my body back, but the thought of being in agony and having someone mess about with my fanny, and then have to push the baby out my fanny and possibly tear is really upsetting me.
Any advice or just a hand hold really! First baby so I have no idea what to expect.
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Childbirth
Feeling scared about the birth suddenly
13 replies
Mandraki · 15/09/2017 19:51
OP posts:
xflipflopx ·
15/09/2017 20:55
@Mandraki I'm 34+5 with my third and I'm still petrified even though I've had great births before.
You can do it and you will be ok and 5 seconds after baby born you have forgotten all about it and you can't possibly love anyone more than this new little bundle.
I find the thought is way scarier than the actual labour because once it all starts you just go with it...you have too!
Having time to think is the worst. 
HailLapin ·
15/09/2017 21:01
My due date is similar to yours op and I have the same feelings. I just keep reminding myself that once labour kicks in your body knows what to do and for some reason you find yourself oddly calm too!
We will all be fine and holding our babies in our arms very soon
Littlecaf ·
15/09/2017 22:27
Oh god, I feel like this too. 39+6 here, constant Braxtons or early labour reminding me of how painful it is. (Already have DS2) buuuuttttt also remember how once you get into it, you don't care, how the body heals and how lovely it is to have a baby. Just got to get through the next 2 weeks. Good luck everyone. 
newmum7369 ·
18/09/2017 10:52
Hi OP. I started a thread about this just after my 36 week midwife appointment a few months ago. I buried my head in the sand about labour until I had to discuss my birth plan and it all hit home. I was terrified, I came home and cried for the rest of the afternoon.
I've just fed my 7 week old first DS and he's now sleeping in my arms. I was induced and he was born 11 days overdue at 9lb 5.5oz, has and air, no epidural. We were at home 24 hours later and within a week I felt almost normal down there.
It wasn't that bad OP. Like a PP has said, crowning stings, but I found contractions to be quite a manageable pain. They have a beginning, a middle and an end. The middle is quite intense but the beginning and end aren't too bad. Once you realise you can ride out the wave of pain you'll deal with each one as they come. Once you get to crowning stage you are all but there and before you know it you'll be a mum.
Don't worry about people messing about down there. Yes you will need to be examined but you won't care, trust me. No one needs to mess about with anything. You will be numbed for the stitches. I was discussing my Midwife's wedding plans whilst she stitched me up at the end of the bed, all quite relaxed.
Of course there are different birth experiences and people have a harder time than others, but don't go thinking that every birth ends in a horror story. I felt exactly the same as you do now and I've lived to tell the tale.
Good luck and let us know what you have!
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