Over due and starting to fear labour help

[Mumtobeluc]

I'm coming up to 41 weeks and wanted to have a water birth at my local midwife led unit but now as more days go by I'm worrying I won't cope on just gas and air which is all they do and I'm also terrified of tearing. It hurts when I have sex sometimes sorry tmi. My partner thinks it won't happen which doesn't help. Starting to think I should just go to the hospital so I can have an epidural if it's too much I worry I'll panic and it'll be horrible for my partner.

Any good stories or those who have torn that I'll be fine?

First baby.

I was two weeks late with DD (nearly 5) and I think you do sit there and over think it.

Stick with what you have planned. You'll be fine.

As for tearing, that could happen whether you're overdue or not so put it out of your head.

There was at no point during my labour that I thought the pain was too much. Sure it was painful but if you do find it too sore just change your plan. Who cares? Do what you've got to do lovely x

Stick with your plan. If you want more pain relief you can transfer to labour ward.

Until then just keep busy and take your mind off it. Worrying won't change anything.

Ps my first (MLU birth with no pain relief) was a better experience than my second birth (labour ward with epidural).

DS was born at 40+6, a big first baby at 9lb6oz and was a lovely water birth with gas and air. I only got the water and gas and air for the last hour or so, before that was a tens machine and relaxation techniques. I did tear but had no idea at the time, had the stitches on gas and air with a local anaesthetic- I was high as a kite!
Spend your time reading hypnobirthing books and listening to relaxation CDs, much more useful than worrying - easier said than done I know!

Thanks so much everyone. Your stories and advice has made me feel heeps better.

:) got my second sweep tomorrow know it may not work again as last one I just spotted for few days but will be nice to know if things have moved along a bit.

Just see how it goes. If you can’t cope please just be prepared to accept pain relief if you need it. There’s no medal for being a martyr.

The gas and air is lovely! I only got it for the last half hour but it was lovely!!