Anyone else feeling anxious 3rd time around?

[littleraysofsunshine]

Really not sure why but I kind of feel more anxious his time. Just because I have so much more to think about! Advised home birth but still not 100% relaxed about it as I had pph after dd1 (not with dd2) but still in my mind.. And what to do with my children, enough time for water birth? (Dd1 4hrs, dd2 an hour exact but only a few pushes. Born 20mins from getting to MLU)

Bump

Anyone expecting third time?

I'm expecting my third, but after two emergency sections I don't really get a choice this time.

me. i posted a long ranty post on preg about my mw yesterday. ds was an emcs, dd vbac. this time very nervous. feel like i've had bad premontions that something's going to go wrong.

I had a home birth with 2nd baby, in a water pool. We (well DH) filled it using a hose attached to where the shower hose normally comes out, so it was pumped off the shower pump. It still took several tanks of hot water and an hour to fill. It was great. In your case, I would guess you won't have enough time to fill a pool. I am thinking same thing will happen with me 3rd time (I am 35 wks) so I am thinking of trying the bath this time. It won't be so good as positions will be more limited. As for your children, you don't say how old. I have prepared mine (4 and 7) with a book called Hello Baby which is about a home birth - explains there could be noise, shows cute head albeit hanging out of mum's bottom etc in a gentle way/illustrations - just in case it happens at night and they wander in midway through. Several neighbours have offered to come and get the children if labour starts and family can't get here. Home birth was so wonderful afterwards - all your stuff is there, your tea, food, bed, bathroom, sofa etc. It was all so convenient. For me the most stressful thing about the first labour was the journey to hospital. As for whether I am anxious third time round, I am but also trying not to get scared as I think that really added to the pain. I remember with both former deliveries that the point where i totally lost it and thought I could not go on any more was right before it pushed out/phase 2. I am trying to remember this third time round so that I can recognise when it's nearly over and not panic.

Yep I'm expecting my 3rd and only 9 days till DD -yikes!

Sounds like a water birth could be tricky for you if your last labour is even faster than your second- but a home birth sounds like a good idea. My first labour was 5 hours, 2nd was 3 but because contractions weren't regular and I was quite relaxed I didn't leave for the hospital early enough and had mine outside the hospital!! (with a rather noisy car journey of me wailing and saying I wanted to push!). I probably should have a home birth but firstly DH is really not keen (wants all the emergency stuff around and medical experts etc) and also I must admit I'd rather go somewhere have my baby then come home to a nice clean house without having to clear up/clean up blood/birthing pool etc after. But I know everyone's different!

I've thought about my other two kids- if i had a home birth I wouldn't want my kids around- I think they might be scared and wouldn't want them in the way. But you could just make sure someone could have them if it's daytime or have someone check on them if it's nighttime and they wake?

I also only had 2 pushes (head then body!) with DS2 so am anxious about getting to hospital in time - this time as soon as my waters break I'm going even if I'm not dilated enough -I'm not going home!!

When are you due?

I was far, far more anxious 3rd time around, to the point of making me ill. For me, it was recognising the trauma of my first delivery and working through my feelings about it that helped a lot. As well as admitting I was totally exhausted and I needed more rest. And a hypnobirthing course.

Is there any particular reason you are anxious this time around? Are you projecting other anxieties about the rest of your life onto fears about the delivery? Or is it just because now you know what it all involves it's becoming a bit harder to tell yourself it will all be ok?

6 weeks but not sure I'll get that far...

They are just three and 18months

How are you doing? You still sound worried. Is there anyone to talk things through with irl?

I am more anxious third time around, too! I have never posted on here before ;-) My first two labours were relatively fast as well, and because I have Strep B this time I have been allocated to the consultant led ward which is an hour away. I have an appointment with the consultant to talk this through as I am very concerned about having the baby en route. I wish I was allowed to have a home birth or deliver at my local midwife led unit which is only 10 minutes away, but also aware that Strep B can be a real problem for some babies – if it's anything like my last labour I will be way too late for the Strep B antibiotics anyway. I think that chatting it through with the consultant will really help, and also enlisting lots of different neighbours/friends to help with older children. A friend suggested that we send a big group text when the time comes to as many people as we can muster so we don't have to wait around/take the kids with us/worry about not being able to leave in time. Maybe if you can set some plans in place for when it all kicks off you will feel a bit less worried? Good luck!

Oh, and if it's any consolation, all the people I know who had home births with older children around found that it kicked off at night and their kids didn't even stir, but just woke up to a new brother or sister in the morning! If it happens during the day, you're more likely to be able to speedily find someone to look after them for you, too.