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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Second baby - why am I terrified?

3 replies

Particles · 17/01/2011 21:50

Am early stages with my second dc and am absolutely terrified about the birth, even to the extent of dreaming about it.
I had a v uncomplicated, straightforward labour with ds, just gas and air, no stitches, quick recovery e.t.c. (although suffered from v bad anxiety afterwards) and even remember thinking afterwards how much easier it had been than I thought. This time round however, I am scared stiff. Can't bring myself to feel excited as am constantly worrying it will all go wrong and the baby or I will be hurt or I won't recover as fully as I did last time.
Watching "one born every minute" isn't even making me look forward to the baby; all I can think of is that the women look like big, violated animals in pain in the birthing pools and the whole experience just seems degrading and humiliating to me when first time round I could see it as the beautiful and natural experience it is. I have no idea where these feelings have come from and no idea how to help myself. I feel stupid mentioning my fear to my midwife as I know it is mostly irrational.

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Mumbybumby · 17/01/2011 22:04

I am feeling exactly the same way as you - I had an easy, uncomplicated birth too with no stitches etc but this time I am actually scared!
It's as though I think it can't possibly go as well this time.

I've been a lot more sick this pg and that has made me anxious as to whether the baby is ok too. In fact, every twinge or heartburn or anything is making me bloody anxious!
I've also not really mentioned it to my midwife (or anyone, in fact) as I feel so stupid especially as this is DC2!
Wish I could give you some useful advice! Just wanted you to know you aren't the only one feeling like this. If it's any reassurance I keep getting told that DC2 is usually a better birth than 1 so I'm hanging onto that idea! :)

Particles · 17/01/2011 22:09

Thanks for replying - that's almost exactly what I'm thinking, that I was lucky the first time and won't get off so lightly this time!
Was just reading a thread about tearing and though most of the replies were reassuring, I felt sick just thinking about it!
Have also heard the second is quicker and easier so fingers crossed for us both! What were your feelings after your birth? Am wondering whether this is something to do with my anxiety and whether it is rearing it's ugly head again or if it's a natural thing a lot of women go through?

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Mumbybumby · 17/01/2011 22:32

After DD was born I immediately turned to DP and said 'let's have another one' (?!) Blush crazy mad woman that I am!
I have been reading all about tearing, episiotomies, c-sections - you name it and no matter how reassuring the posters are, it just makes me feel worse! Can't stop reading them though!
Have made a promise to myself that I won't read any more threads like that and I suppose that will help a little bit. :)
I'm a pretty highly strung and anxious person generally and have the knack of seeing things from all perspectives, which is usually a good thing but in this case it means I've already envisaged every possible scenario! (which means I have lots to worry about!).
Don't know why I wasn't like this last time - I suppose that even though I'd read lots about it I was still ignorant in that I'd never experienced it (the only thing I did worry about then was having an episiotomy)
I also think it's because most of the mums I've met since having DD didn't have births like mine and I'm thinking probability wise too!
I'm due in 5 weeks so I'll know pretty soon how it goes - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that everything goes well! I'm sure that lots of mums feel like this too but might just be too embarrassed to talk about it.
All the best,

Mumby x

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