Oh god, I've got to give birth tomorrow

[banana87]

...and I'm scared shitless. DD was forceps and an epidural that didn't work, PPH and blood transfusion. I'm being induced and DD was natural so I'm very scared about things going wrong/not working. I'm basically getting myself into a complete state about how much pain I was in with DD and how no one would listen to me when I told them I could feel things after I'd had the epidural. Oh god, what have I done????

Sending hugs - I know how frightening it can be. Can I ask, why are you being induced?

Big baby, 96th centile and so was DD. I'll be 38+3 tomorrow but have a pretty ok bishop score at least. Still not stopping me from panic!

Well, just a reminder that you don't have to agree to induction, you can leave it if you want and it's safe to do so. Just remember 2nd births are supposed to be much more straightforward (certainly was in my case) so there's every chance things will go smoothly. If you have a birth partner, make sure they're primed to advocate for you re pain, you might feel better if someone is sharing that responsibility with you. And just remember, you could be cuddling your new baby by this time tomorrow! Good luck

You could put it off for a few more days or so though. Just phone in the morning, say you're not coming in and you'd like to rearrange for next week.

Just because this is a big baby it doesn't mean that you'd have the same issues as before. Second babies are generally easier to birth anyway, and labour is more likely to be easier if you're not stressed out about it.

My first birth sounds a bit like yours was. Second one was easy peasy. Good luck and try not to worry x

Thanks for your replies. I'm not backing out, decision made. I've prepped DH about the epidural issue so he knows now but you can bet I'll be making a much bigger fuss this time than last time. I really hope second babies are easier, I keep hearing that!

banana with my dd1 I went into labour naturally, had epidural that only worked one side of my body, was like that for about 10 hours before they took me down to try a ventouse and topped up my epidural which then worked perfectly so I know what you mean about it not working and them not listening.

DD2 was induced at 42 weeks. Pessary at 7.30pm, contractions at 11.30pm, 3cm at 6.30am, 10cm at 9am, dd2 born at 9.18am with no help other than gas & air so you may find it's better for you this time.

Lots and lots of luck and hope it goes smoothly

Hi! Another one here where first labour was 18 hours, epidural that didn't work properly and needed to be re-done, baby born after ventouse delivery. Second labour was 4 hours and done on gas and air. Third labour was induced and labour was 2 hours, again with gas and air. And I also have "big" babies. So it honestly can be a whole lot easier second time round.

In saying all that, you get no prizes for doing it without an epidural - as someone who has done it both ways, yes it's nice being able to be more mobile more quickly when you haven't had one, but that's it - for my second and third births I'd have had one in a flash if I'd needed it!

Good luck and keep us posted!

At hospital waiting. So scared, but doing deep breathing and talking to myself

Good luck, Banana - thinking of you! Every bit you go through doesn't have to be done again and gets you closer to having the baby!