to dread a trip to the dentist

[arolf]

more than I'm dreading giving birth?

I was at the dentist last week, having not been for 5 years (due to never being able to find an NHS dentist, plus my irrational horror of dentists), and was told I'll need 2 fillings, although everything else is fine. So I have an appointment next week for these fillings, and I am unable to sleep with fear about it - I just HATE having anyone's hand in my mouth, and a hand with a needle, then a drill, then filling for 45 minutes makes me want to boak (I'm actually feeling queasy just writing this).

However, I'm also 33 weeks pg now, my first time, and will (presumably) be going through labour and childbirth sometime in the near future. so far as I'm aware this is unlikely to be a pain free experience but for some reason I'm not dreading it - I'm actually looking forward to something finally happeneing, and getting to meet my baby at last. Of course, I'm apprehensive, but know that pain relief will be available, my DP will be there with me, and I'll finally get to meet this alien who's been sharing my body for the past 8 months!

I mentioned to my mum that I'm weirdly dreading a dental appointment more than giving birth and she told me to stop being a prat, as having fillings is a lovely experience compared to giving birth, and if I think birth will be all sunshine and buttercups (which I don't) I'll be in for a rude shock. I don't think it'll be easy, I just have an irrational fear of dentists (actually quite rational if you ask me...) and know what to expect there, whereas with birth I have no idea what to expect, so cannot be so scared of it.

Am I being totally unreasonable to have this fear?

(btw, I know I would be unreasonable to expect brith to be less painful than fillings - that's not what I'm asking though! I'm asking if my fear is unreasonable )

I think mine may involve 2 injections too but want it all out of the way at once if possible.

I was also too chikcen to follow the link, and plan to keep it that way

Owww, you are making me waver now about not having the second one done yet.... [fret]

"I just have an irrational fear of dentists (actually quite rational if you ask me...) and know what to expect there, whereas with birth I have no idea what to expect, so cannot be so scared of it."
Isn't it more the case that going to the dentist is optional whereas labour and birth are not - in other words it doesn't matter how terrified you are of giving birth, there's no getting out of it. Also noone pats you on the back for facing the fear of the dentist (in fact you feel slightly silly for having to admit to such a fear). YANBU to fear going to the dentist (let's be honest - noone enjoys having treatment!), but you are unreasonable if you let that stop you looking after your teeth. I would urge to get your dental work done (which sounds fairly minor in comparison to some of the horrors described on here!) You'll be in and out in under an hour and in tip top shape ready to look forward to the arrival of your baby.

The link goes to the 'is it safe?' dental scene in marathon man - a film responsible for my not seeing a dentist for about 5 years, as in my early 20s it was on bbc2 about every 3 months...

btw - if your dentist will let you take in an mp3 player, i can highly recommend rammstein turned up loud to drown the drilling...

MP3 player - great idea Anything to drone out the high pitched tune of the saw....
Glad I did not follow link

Agree with you lilian btw

oh, i agree with you too lilian - am definitely going to the dentist next week, just not happily

it was more of a cost issue for the past few years, but have decided that free treatment for a year will enable me to get into a good habit of going every 6-12 months for check ups! we'll see...