Fear medical intervention

[JadeFeather]

Does anyone have this?
I definitely have a fear of needles (blood tests especially) and the idea of anything medical being inserted into me (e.g. Internal exams, Forceps) I've had swabs before for thrush and I was screaming because I found it so uncomfortable.
I have had surgeries before under GA and I was fine so I can't figure out why certain things make me feel worse.

I'm not as extreme as you but didn't want any intervention during birth as I didn't feel.comfortable.with it. Would you consider a home birth? I found that way I felt like I had more control over my environment and you are less likely to have intervention while at home

I wanted a home birth but It wasn't to be, I was induced at hospital and after that I wouldn't consider doing the home birth for our second child. I wanted to be at hospital where if things went wrong I was already at hospital. All I cared about was getting my child out healthy. Didn't want to be induced or forceps but eventually grateful our child was born ok. That's how I came to see things. Good luck with your labour, hope everything is ok for you all.

Home Birth is not something I would consider for the reasons niknac1 mentioned. It has to be the hospital. Natural birth and c section don't scare me as much as the thought of internals and instruments

Don't panic. I was exactly the same as you- cried through smear test, threw up at blood tests I was awful hated doctors and hospitals. 6 weeks ago I had my DD ended up needing forceps and episiotomy and had a 3 pint hemorage so had to have transfusion and honestly I didn't even bat an eyelid. I really surprised myself and I think when the time comes you will too

A midwife led suite at or joined to a hospital might be a good option. If all goes well there you would have minimal to no intervention (the midwives literally never touched me other than for occasional foetal heart checks and one manual dilation check). You'd be less at risk of interventions but could be very quickly transferred if things went pearshaped.

Chump1066 that's super reassuring! Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person in the world that's such a wuss!

I'm not great either.

Just remember, it's your body.

If you don't want an internal examination, you don't have to.

If you don't want a sweep, you say no.

If you don't want to be induced, it is your call.

Sadly, I wish I'd have been armed more with knowledge, as I always accepted whatever they told me.

If you go down the epidural road, the chances of further interventions increase.

Try to keep active during labour, drink raspberry leaf tea a few weeks before birth, write in your birth plan what you want i.e no internals. Then tell your birth partner what you want as well, as when you're in pain and vulnerable, someone needs to fight your corner.

Don't let them fob you off. Or send you home if you want to stay.

Out of all 3 births, the home birth was the best as it was my house and I was in charge. I still let them do the sweep though, which I was so pissed off about as it ramped up the contractions so bad, just so the midwife could get home quicker

Good luck! Arm yourself with knowledge x

I was so fed up and exhausted from a long, drawn out labour (and just being heavily pregnant) that I cared less and less. By the time the words emergency csection were uttered, my overwhelming feeling was relief!

Of course you don't have to consent to anything you don't want to, so best research why certain things are suggested, and decide if that's reason enough for you. Most things are worse in my over thinking it head than in real life I've found. But do tell your hcp if you're scared. It's their job to reassure you!