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...

Just spoken to midwife. She said wait until contractions are 4 in 10 ☹️ that's one every 2.5 minutes! That can't be right. Surely I should be getting some sort of pain relief by then? I'm so anxious.

Thanks all for keeping me company!

Good luck OP

You’ll be fine! You’ll soon be having newborn cuddles and they’re the best! I’m currently cuddling my 1 month old and he was worth every second of pain

Good luck.I found the pushing stage OK,not painful as our body tells you what to do and it is purposeful.It does sting when the head crowns but you also know your reAlly close then.
Also time to get your OH up to rub your back.
Let us know what you have in the morning

Have you considered lying?

Awww good luck. You started naturally so all is well. I found the bit before going to hospital the worst pain, once I was on gas and air...life was good. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat for my little baby girl. Wishing you the best x

If you feel you need to go in, tell some white lies on the phone to the Midwife. If you're not coping, that's ok but you might need to be firm on the phone. Gas and air and diamorphine are amazing 😉 good luck!

YY to what Taylor said! If you feel like you need to be in hospital ignore call and tell them you are going in, don't ask! I had terrible pre labour contractions that turned out to be actual labour and I got to hospital needing to push!

Don't wait for then. Wait until they are 6 mins apart and get to the hospital, even if you don't go straight in and just wait outside, if you wait until that point with and hours drive I wouldn't put my money on you making it. Have you phoned the hospital or just your midwife?

*no idea what that random ignore is doing in there!

@Vampiratequeen I phoned the hospital sorry, not my midwife. Don't think I could lie. Wouldn't they be able to tell?

Just spotted your thread, how exciting. Good Luck OP! 🙂

The worst that will happen is they send you home but you can refuse. If you need some pain relief, you need some.

Thanks @Horsemad - I can't believe how much support I've had. Many thanks to all of you 🙏🏽

Op if you're anxious, go in now. Or at least get yourself closer - could you and DH check yourselves into a hotel that's nearer? I wouldn't want the stress of that worry tbh, and at least (unlike most of the anxieties related to birth!!) it's one you can do something about.

Good luck - so exciting! You're about to find out the very limits of how much you can love, and it's the flipping best. Corvallis I don't envy you the joys of labour (two years hadn't number the memory yet and oh my goodness it fucking hurts) I am still jealous! Tiny baby!

Corvallis? No idea how that crept in there... Fate offering up a convenient unisex baby name suggestion?? 😂

You're an hour away from the hospital aren't you? At that distance don't leave it until you have 4 in 10, if you're there early at least you can pace the corridors.

To distract yourself have you got everything you need? Bags packed, snacks, music, book? Car seat? Is everything in the car? If not get you DH to put it all in ready.

If it is all ready try and distract yourself for a while on Mumsnet classics. Then get your OH up for some moral support! Good luck!

My contractions are agony and close to 2 minutes. They said I could have hours of this. I don't know how I'm going to get through it. Hats off to you all!

When I met my first mil years ago and I got pregnant with dd, she admitted when she had her ds she really thought he was going to exit via her belly button!! Good luck op!!

It certainly smarts a bit .

You can do it though!

You can because you must OP - it does hurt like billyo and I'm sure 99% of women with growing kids today thought hey couldn't do it at some point in their labour. Try and find a comfy position... And distract yourself! I know you said you were trying to sleep but either such frequent, long and painful contractions is say that's a lost cause... But some music or a box set might give you something else to focus on? Mumsnet is rooting for you! #weareallActiveBlend

Can you try 'up' breathing op? In for 4, out for 8... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=skCJaoFSSOg

Where are you feeling the contractions? All in your bum/back, or all over etc?

Rooting for you - each one brings you closer to your baby.

Thanks all 🌷

@pandarific they're all really low down. Like insanely bad period pains. It's like I can literally feel myself dilating! Not what I expected at all.

I remember feeling the same, not what I expected at all either. The tightening and low pushing down feeling is like nothing else. Sounds like you're doing great

I would phone them and tell them you are going in. They tried to send me home (even though I was supposed to be monitored due to gestational diabetes) at 12 say if it could be 24 hours yet and my DD was born 5 hours later. Just tell them the pain has become much and you need some pain relief, tell them you have a long drive and it is starting to make you anxious. I suddenly went from 3cm to fully dilated and crowning, they wouldn't even believe me when I said I wanted to push.

OP seriously lie! They can't prove anything.
Go you need to listen to your body.