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.

I was induced. 2 hrs and 2 paracetamol later my baby was born. I've had periods just as painful as labour to be honest.

Believe me, it really will be fine. Your body will just take over - I found it a slightly "trippy" experience. As a pp said, don't underestimate the effectiveness of the basic breathing techniques they teach you in antenatal classes; they really do make it bearable. And if it gets to be too much, the drugs work!

Don't fixate on birth plan. No one looked at mine at all!

ive had 2 very bad labours(14 days over 4 days labour for first,2nd was 8 days over and 3 failed sweeps and was 12 hour labour but insides came out behind him) so cant say personally everything will be fine as things do go wrong but a friend of mine had her baby within a hour last week

she was a week over and from first contractions to literally coming out was 59 mins,baby was small though at 5lb 2 and 17 inches(mine was 8lbs,27 inches and 8lb 10, 28 inches)

@whitehalleve Wow!

YANBU! When you're about to give birth for the first time, it's a huge unknown. You can't predict how you'll feel or what you'll need and that's naturally scary.
I went in for my first baby with a rigid birth plan, and looking back, that was pretty naive.
My advice as someone who's done it five times, is go in with an open mind. If you need pain relief, ask immediately. Don't be a martyr like I was, thinking I was doing the right thing! Do whatever is right for you at the time.
You honestly will come out the other end ok. Just remember we've all done it, you can too. Be kind to yourself. You're about to do the most amazing thing. And just don't be afraid to say what you need from your partner and the staff!

I can't believe I'm sitting here watching One Born Every Minute as I write on this thread..

I was terrified of giving birth. I ended up being induced, I was so disappointed as it wasn’t what I wanted. I was nil by mouth for 24 hours by the time they started the drip, strapped to the bed to be constantly monitored, nearly had an emcs due to dds heart rate. I was so out of it due to low blood sugars but the second you have that baby in your arms it’s so worth it. I’ve never felt so Ill in my life but I’d do it all again in a flash. It was honestly the best moment ever.
Be open minded and as silly as it sounds try and enjoy it.

With my 2nd, I was induced, she was back to back and I did it without any pain relief. Im still waiting for my blue peter badge. 😁 With dd1 I was in slow labour and had to have interventions to speed it up, I had a mobile epidural which was brilliant. Both times I felt like superwoman after. Id love to do it again but we arent having anymore babies. Do not be frightened, take all the drugs and just enjoy your miracle. You wont remember the pain after a few weeks. Good luck

Oh and from the start of induction to having dd was 5 days!

Epidural. Epidural. Epidural.

@sittingonacornflake

As someone else has said, please don’t think you will be guaranteed to get an epidural. It can be really unsettling to expect one and waste a lot of time psychologically on waiting for it to arrive when it inevitably doesn’t. Don’t stress on it, you will tackle it when the time comes.

I actually came on here thinking this thread was about Jeremy Corbyn. I would rather have a baby with no epidural than him be prime minister!

However, I agree - be open minded and don’t be too set on your plans. Although I would also consider an elective caesarean. I had two caesareans - one emergency and one elective. They were both fine, but the one without the 18 hours of labour before was better!

Good luck though - it will be fine and at the end you will have your lovely baby.

You poor thing. We've all been there. Most people are apprehensive. But lots of people have good labours. It helps not to lie on your back. I found on hands and knees a very good position.

My most difficult labour was induced, and my easiest was actually over 24 hours😳. I regret I didn't sleep at the beginning, as it was night time.

If you stay relaxed you may be able to enjoy it. Certainly during the first few hours there may be almost dull gaps between pains, and the pain in the second pushing stage can be welcome, oddly.

There are quite a few people I know personally who have flipped out babies in less than an hour start to finish I can think of four off the top of my head. You may be one of these. Don't forget, your body does know what to do.

OP, something my midwife said to me might help:

"It might hurt, but probably not more than you can bear. And if it does hurt more than you can bear, an epidural is your friend".

Good that you're open to pain relief. I martyred myself with an induced labour and finally accepted pain relief (epidural) about 6 hours in. It was the best thing...

Best of luck, and enjoy your baby!

Can’t comment re. pain, as I’ve never had a child. There are a lot of natural ways to control that pain such as breathing techniques, some women find water birthing great ( and you can do that in hospital) etc. And of course drugs which can safely be given if need be. Don’t be afraid to ask for them if necessary. If it helps, I’ve heard many women comment that they see the baby and forget all the pain. All the best for very shortly meeting your wee one. Natural to be nervous but don’t forget you will have great professionals well seasoned in helping women birth there to assist you.💐

My water broke with my first, labour for 18 hours, epidural didn’t work. My second was induced, labour for about 8 hours, epidural didn’t work. Had gas, did nothing for me. However I had zero issues with being induced. I, too, had gestational diabetes and an almost 10 lb baby.

Third, water broke, 12 hours of hard labour before a C-section, as baby was again large and anterior. Had an epidural and it finally worked! The difference was huge, and I highly recommend one.

I also understand that the pain feels different emotionally, because it’s a productive pain, a positive pain and you know it will end and there is the baby!

Its a day in your life and the gift at the end really takes the pain away. I've done it with or without epidural. I'd recommend with. I didn't feel a thing. Literally.

It’s fine.
Well it does hurt, but as others have said, you have options. In only had G&A with my first, but diamorphine with my second which was great.
I was induced due to GD with number 2 and it was no more painful than my natural labour, and was really quick.

If you think you might want an epidural, mention it straight away so you can get on the anaesthetists list. It takes a while to set up and you have to sit still when it's being put in - you're not going to be having one when your contractions are coming 30 seconds apart.

Also with regard to induction, it may not be the full on hormone drip and stuff. Depending on how you are on the day it may be that they just break your waters, or the pessary is enough to get things going.

Depending on how long you have left, it may be worth phoning your maternity unit and seeing if you can get an appointment to discuss an epidural with the anaesthetist. They do come with their risks and being able to discuss it (risks, benefits, how it works, what will happen etc) in advance would be beneficial.

I had to have one for medical reasons and it was absolutely fine. Made for a very calm labour actually.

I had an epidural after having my water broken at 42 weeks. I started having 2 min contractions immediately and decided an epidural was the only option for me. It was great and I would ask for one again.

I also did Hypnobirthing which helped to keep me calm and focused on the lead up to the birth. I highly recommend that if you’re feeling anxious. There are some materials online that you can download and plenty of books on the market.

You'll be absolutely fine. The way I got through it was to imagine I was on a long-haul flight. You're on a journey (which WILL end) counting down the time by watching films, and at the end of it all you'll be at a beautiful destination! Plus, it's unlikely to take longer than a flight to Australia at the very worst. My active labour would have got me as far as Barbados 😁

Hi OP. I was absolutely terrified like you.

Was induced, it was very slow but i have to say altho the pain was there it is manageable. It was in a way empowering to handle it.

Breathing and bouncing about on the ball helped.

Ask for the wireless monitors

You will be able to move so much easier and that really helps with pain.

After 9hrs i had epidural and my god its amazing. If your induced epidural is something the midwives will offer you readily. If you feel you need it take it honestly its brilliant