Terrified of labour

[mcjx]

So.. labour is imminent and it's now dawning on me that I'm actually going to have to experience it 🙈

Everything is finally starting to feel "real" and I thought I'd feel prepared but I'm so terrified!

I'm awful with pain and have what people would describe as a low threshold and I really feel like I'm not going to be able to do it.

Please tell me I am being unreasonable and that I'm going to be okay.

My labour is also imminent and its all very real now. I've been doing hypno birthing to help keep me relaxed throughout the labour and I've included in my birthing plan that I want to have the 'heavy' drugs on hand in case I need them. Don't be scared to ask for an epidural or the diamorphine if you feel like you need it, there is nothing wrong with taking whatever pain relief you require to bring your beautiful baby into the world.

You can do this, your body is designed perfectly for what you are about to experience. Trust in your body and in yourself. I hope it all goes well for you

There are options. You can have an epidural. If this is a route you want to go down and knowing it's an option will make you calmer. Put it in your birth plan. Tell your birth partner it's what you're having. When you get there tell them you're planning an epidural. Be firm and insistent. It's probably easier to do it this way and find you can manage without it, than plan for an all natural birth then panic and change your mind last minute

If it's a very long labour and too early for an epidural, and you're struggling to cope with the pain in the early stages you can always ask for some pethidine to give you a break and have a rest. Idid this with my second and felt a lot better for it.

Good luck

Thank you both.

It's very likely that I'm going to be induced as I have gestational diabetes and baby is very large. I've heard nothing but horror stories with regards to inductions so if this is the case I will be asking for an epidural.

I just hope that they don't try to talk me out of having one, I understand there are other pain relief options before it might get to that point, but ultimately if I'm really struggling i do want epidural.

I've explained to my birthing partner that they need to be persistent for me.

I'm so nervous about the whole experience though

Epidural = FAB

But actually ‘breathing through the pain’ is something I still use now, over twenty years after my last labour.

Good luck x

You will be fine, you have no choice, the baby has to come out

It is painful however there are lots of lovely drugs if you need them

I, like many women, have done it more than once so it cant be that bad!

Good luck and congratulations in advance

I have posted here many times about the two lovely inductions I had. One for gd.
I bawled outside the maternity hospital when they told me to come back that afternoon to be induced (first baby) I had never thought about the birth really thought they would have invented a new pain free way to get baby out by the time my time came! Was a fantastic experience though.

Understand what your feeling is totally normal .with my first daughter it was daunting especially having to go to a hospital, but i knew as long as i went to a place with qualified experienced professionals i knew i was in the right hands.Although i didnt like hospitals and the idea of going through such a experience was quite troubling.I even had bad dreams leading up but my other half was with me the midwifes knew what they were doing and although it was tiring and painful.It was over as soon as it started and soon i was starting a new challenge of motherhood.

Try not to think about it face what comes when it comes one thing at at a time.If you really dont want to experience pain they have epidurals.I am currently pregnant with my second and just thinking ahead of what the year will bring what plans we will have and what things i need to sort for this new baby.Just keeping myself busy

Bless you OP. I was exactly the same. I got through it by reminding myself of the millions (more likely billions) of women who had done it before me. Then I kept saying to myself... 'this is one day in my life only...'

Just saw your second post about the induction, i had an induction with my 3rd and was also worried as i had heard terrible induction stories, but it was fine! For me it just accelerated the labour and while it was more intense it was over quicker than my previous labours...

Labour also imminent for me! Due Thursday.

The closer I get to DD the less scared I feel, our bodies will know what to do when the time comes. There are plenty of safe pain relief options for us.

The most important thing is to be able to advocate for yourself or have someone there to do it for you. If you want an epidural dont let anyone talk you out of it. Have a code word with your birthing partner - if you use it it means you are really freaking serious and you want what you are asking for.

My birthing partner is my DP and he knows that if I pinky swear () him during labour then he best make sure I get what I'm asking for!

You will be fine OP, it'll all be over soon and your baby will be here!

@mcjx
I had an induced labour it honestly wasn't that bad when your induced it's sort of calmer in a way as the pain starts quite gradual and you'll be able to cope, Ive had both of mine without drugs and honestly breathing exercises helped me a hell of a lot it's painful but you can always ask for an epidural or pethidine, contractions are the pain and once the baby is out and born all the pain stops completely it's so weird I'd actually love to go through labour again, id also suggest wearing a nightie because you get so hot in labour x

You’lol be absolutely fine. I’ve given birth twice, both home births, first one I used no pain relief at all, apart from a TENS, second one I used gas and air for the last 15-20 minutes or so. Totally fine. The worst bit of my first labour was the cervical exam! I avoided that the second time around and it was much better.

I know it’s easier said that done, but relaxing really is key. The more calm and relaxed you stay, the more comfortable you’ll be. I also really recommend a TENS (you can hire from any pharmacy) and using a pool if that’s something that sounds appealing.

Honestly, I was terrified of labour! I had gotten myself so worked up over the pain I imagined I was going to be in it kept me up at night worrying sick!

I always thought I had a low pain threshold, but in the end it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I got through it with gas and air. I think sometimes we get so worked up because of all these horror stories.

And as NewAndImprovedNorks said breathing through the pain works. Good luck! Hope it all goes well!

Thanks all for your positive stories!! They are making me feel better along with the fact that lots of women do this more than once so it must be bearable 😂🙈

I have just found out I am pregnant again..... my first birth was to put it mildly..awful... I ended up using every department and type of doctor going.

However.... as my dh told me we had a girl I said.... next time we can have a boy....

Every birth is different but you are with people that have seen everything going, they will guide you.

Do you have a way to find a happy place?

Mine is singing so I filled my iPod with songs I could sing to. My pain threshold is rubbish and having had a lumber puncture I knew exactly how a epidural would feel... just before they did it I got my dh to put"my" song on.... midwives and docs thought it was hilarious but it really helped.

Good luck with those imminent arrivals it will be ok and you will be holding those tiny humans before you know it...

I've had 2 inductions with Gas&Air, and they were honestly fine. I'd have a third.

I think if you go into it with a flexible plan, and just go with the flow, it's fine. I was maybe a bit extreme since I told my OB"...I want to be alive and I want a live baby, so I anything is ok."

It hurts like a bastard, no denying that. But it's short lived, once that baby is out the pain (mostly) goes.

Best of luck.

Best of luck OP, unfortunately there is no easy way to get a baby out, I remember writing myself a note saying never to forget how painful it was, however it truly does fade so quickly and you are left with the most spectacular memories!

I done it with 0 pain relief, I would not recommend that.

Definitely going to go in there with an open mind.

I don't have a set birth plan, I have an idea of how I want it to go but totally understand this could go down the shit pan as babies are unpredictable and will come anyway they want and when they want!

Oh worth saying I went into spontaneous labour.

I read up on Hypnobirthing (couldn't afford classes!) and it is so positive about the whole childbirth experience that I was almost looking forward to it - and it was absolutely fine.

Good look, all of you who are due imminently!

Very best wishes op 💐

Also I didn't want to be fixated on one birth plan because I know I would have been gutted if it didn't work out that way.

I did want an easy and stress free pregnancy and even that hasn't worked out (SPD, GD & AND) ..

@thenightsky that’s pretty much what my beloved Nanna said to me when I was worried about labour with my first child: “It’s just one day in your life, and just think, you’ll have your beautiful baby at the end of it!” That was the gist of it anyway. When the going gets tough, focus on what you’re doing it for!

I was more or less ok on gas and air and in the birthing pool with my two, but I have a fairly high pain threshold and it was still not a walk in the park. Please do let them know at the hospital that you might want an epidural and/or pethidene/whatever. And if you try and relax and breathe it really does help. It helps if you have a good, stalwart birthing partner by your side with their hand on your shoulder.

It all fades away once the baby arrives! Which is why people have more than one...

OP please be Aware that actually eoridural is only an option at the right time and if.. big if.... someone is available to do it. Not guaranteed at.all.

I'd get in early with requests if I were you if you feel pain is too much

Don't be a hero and don't underestimate it.