Terrified of childbirth dc2

[Nocturne123]

Has anyone else been more scared of childbirth the second time round ? I by no means had a difficult first labour , had a minor pph but that was the extent of complications .

I don't understand why I am so terrified this time. I'm 36 weeks so not much time left . I get excited about meeting ds but then just get scared about going into labour .

Has anyone else felt this way or am I just being an eejit ?

You're not being an eejit. Labour is tough, there's no point in saying it's easy. It would be worse to go into it with your eyes closed I think.

Dc3 here although last was a section and I'm 35 weeks now.

Can you identify what exactly it is that you're scared of? Have you a plan? What are your plans for pain relief?
I personally think I will be far more relaxed at home so I will try my best to stay here for the most part until contractions become unbearable.

I've been watching One born every minute lately on channel 4, do you watch it? The past few weeks all the births have all been really really positive and relaxed. If you were to just listen or look at the mums you'd never think they were actually in the final stages of labour.

I'm not into hypnobirthing exactly but I do think breathing, remaining calm, focusing and remembering that with each contraction you're that bit closer to having your baby will help.

Good luck

Thanks for your reply . I try talking to dh about it and he tries to be helpful but always ends up saying the wrong thing .

I'm not scared of the pain as I know it will hurt. I was induced with dd so I think it's more the uncertainty of when things will happen . I had a very short labour with dd as well so I can't hang about too long with this one . I have a couple of close friends who are doctors and have advised getting to Hosp ASAP when anything happens.

I'm quite an anxious person as it is so I think the anxiety is just manifesting itself in this now .

I agree with breathing and relaxation and will try and keep that in mind when it happens . Painkillers wise I'm happy if they can give me diamorphine as I found it great the last time !

Thanks so much for your reply and good luck for dc3!

Yes I was.
I had a straight forward first labour, but got sent home from hospital after my waters broke to labour at home, I was doubled over in the car park & uncomfortable all the way home, in the morning rush hour.

Got home & was back at hospital within 2 hours & was 7-8 cm dilated, so with this in the back of my mind I felt nervous about the birth of DC2.

When my contractions first started with DC2, they went from 10 mins apart to 6 mins within an hour, the midwife on the phone was keen for me to stay at home but I was adamant that I wanted to go in. Once at the hospital (middle of the night, the journey wasn't a problem) I was only 3cm dilated & midwife said normally I'd be sent home, DC2 was born 2 hours later

It definitely felt more intense as it was quicker & shocked me some what!

I think because you know what's coming & in my experience hoping it's a similar labour to the first time round.

Good luck

I was really nervous and anxious before having dd2. I think it's because you know what's coming - dd1 was quick but straightforward (albeit with a 3rd degree tear) and tbh not as painful as I thought. So with dd2 I was expecting worse. In hindsight dd2 was pretty similar.

I think it will be what it will be, but try to identify what will reassure you and what will make it worse. And make sure your DH knows. If having pain relief right away rather than waiting til you can't bear it is one of those things then speak to your midwife beforehand.

Good luck

Thank you both ! Yep I think it's also knowing what's coming that's getting to me this time . I think I expected to be a lot more calm with this one as I'd already done it but yes I'm going to prepare as many things as humanly possible and I think that will help .

I heard babies laugh at plans though