to suddenly be scared to give birth now my contractions have started?

[ActiveBlend]

I'm 38 weeks pregnant and have recently started having what I think are pre-labour contractions. They're a lot more painful than I thought they would be and I'm now dreading active labour. I've always weirdly looked forward to childbirth but now I'm starting to experience it, I feel a bit freaked.

Sorry for posting in AIBU. I know I'm not BU, but was wondering if anyone else experienced the same? A pre-labour freakout?

All of a sudden very scared about the pain and how I'll get through it...

I'm quite jealous. My 2nd and last baby is 10 months. Giving birth and the days after are such a special time that I feel sad I won't do it again.

@Oysterbabe I imagine that must be difficult. You may have grandchildren one day though which would be magical! My mum and Dad are about to become grandparents for the first time. I'm so excited for my dad to meet our little one...

Ow ow ow!!! Oh my god what the hell does active labour feel like if this is pre labour 😰🙏🏽

Did you tell the midwives you are needing? They need to know that contractions are painful and that you are bleeding. I would go and get checked out.

Bleeding not needing - sorry

 breathe as calmly as you can.
It is hard. Try to relax your shoulders. Hugs.

Are you still timing them?

@minmooch I did. They said that because it's dark blood it's old and not to worry. No need to get checked.

@Reaa I am. They're every 9-13 minutes at the moment!

I was petrified, I had every drug going. It was difficult but every second is so so worth it. Good luck op

Try not to think about what's to come, you don't know what it will feel like not can you change how it'll happen (aside from pain relief) so don't let it scare you. FWIW the pain level for me at 2cm was consistent until 8cm. If you're on your way active labour can be no more than a measurement. Get as much rest as you can now and eat something with carbs, you'll need the energy.

@Bobbiepin had a huge pizza 😍 it was great and still have half left for breakfast 😜

Yaaaaaaay OP, you've got this! :)

Good! You'll remember that pizza forever Have you got snacks in your hospital bag?

Ooh a live birth thread

Best of luck OP.

Good luck op! You can do it.
Remember you can have pain relief if you need it in hospital. That kept me going just knowing it was available.

Good luck OP. Keeping up this thread might be a great distraction for you!

Good luck! I was like you, petrified when I went into labour both times and scared that I wouldn't cope, and terrified of the pain. But I would do it all again in a heartbeat x

I know it sounds weird, but if you have a clock with a second hand I found watching that while I was having a contraction helped. You can sort of see how little time is left for the pain. I know it sounds daft but I honestly think that kept me going for a good hour or so while I was in (wha turned out to be a very fast) labour.

Oh dear god. I'm pregnant with my second & this just sent a wave of anxiety through me thinking about doing it again!! Luckily I'm only 8 weeks so a while to go!! But in the same breath, my daughter is the absolute best thing I ever did or will do, I would go through it all again 20 thousand times to have her! & you will feel the same about your baby GOOD LUCK OP!! Women are bloody amazing!!

Ooh good luck OP! Not gonna lie, it hurts a whole lot. But I went back for more...and more! And the moment you meet your baby is the best moment of your life. Try and get into a rhythm/distraction with the contractions - breathing, rocking, pacing, swaying, whatever you can focus on until it’s done. And I agree with whoever said that it’s easier if you relax into it rather than fighting it. Also fwiw it doesn’t sound like pre labour - sounds like proper labour to me. The brown blood makes me think dilating!

Thanks everyone who's here keeping me company! I'm in bed and DP is in the spare room so we both sleep (or at least rest!).

Is it normal to suddenly feel like baby's head is in your vagina? Feels very low down suddenly!

Think I'm going to cry if I'm barely dilated when I go in!

So exciting!! I hope it all goes well and quickly!

Sounds like you could be in established labour to me.

For what it's worth I loved every single second of giving birth to my boys. Even the painful bits. It was all absolutely amazing. Wishing you positive good strong labour vibes ....

After 15 hours I was 2cm. I did cry, especially when they said I couldn't have an epidural yet. They said they would examine me in 4 hours, and we never got to 4 hours, DD was born before then. No epidural, gas and air only and all was fine. Your body knows what it's doing.