So scared

[Alicia87721]

Hi. I'm 27 weeks pregnant and from the day I've found out I was pregnant I've been petrified of giving birth. I'm only 17 and due in March. From I was really young it's always been a big fear of mine. I love my we man so much already but just can't stop thinking about the labour and thinking something bad is going to happen. I haven't slept right in about 5 months worrying about it.😒😒

Women are made to give birth

Yes sometimes it is difficult and sometimes there are problems and it hurts like fuck

But, the vast majority of women have straightforward births and the pain is soon forgotten once you have your baby in your arms

Plus you get drugs for free and very qualified staff on hand should problems arise

Please try and relax and enjoy your pregnancy - worrying won't change anything - what will be will be so you might as well enjoy your pregnancy and look forward to meeting your son rather than spending the next few months worrying yourself sick about something that probably will never happen

Yeah it does hurt, but it's not THAT bad I don't think , it's doable, you will get through it and the pain isn't going to last forever. Through every contraction I would just be thinking I'm getting closer to the end. Honestly I was shitting myself too, but you sort of just deal with and an get through it I had gas an air which I managed on just fine. You will be fine x

Bless your heart. Take comfort from the fact that girls as young as you often have quick labours and also that pain relief will be available if needed. Talk it over with the midwife at your clinic, she will be able to reassure you.

Good luck.

PS: Just to add that I was older than you but my labour was not very painful, I didn't want drugs and it didn't last long. Not everyone has horror stories to tell.

I feel sad that you are so afraid and can't sleep. Try to get some reassurance so you can enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

Read Effective Birth Preparation by Maggie Howell. I found it so reassuring and she really unpicks why we are taught to fear childbirth and why there's no need to.

I’ve got no pain threshold. Routinely get migraines that make me cry from the pain. I spent the whole of my first pregnancy unable to even THINK about labour, I was so frightened. Couldn’t watch anything on TV where a woman was in labour, One Born Every Minute gave me literal nightmares.

And then, I went into labour and it was fine. Did it on just the gas and air. Two years later, did it again, no problem. It’s not the more pleasant experience, but it’s actually more amazing than anything else. It hurts, but it’s productive pain and there’s no day in your life quite like it. You will do brilliantly and will be so proud of yourself at the end, as well as thrilled to meet your baby. Good luck!

Hynobirthing can really help you prepare and manage your fear. I did a wise hippo course but there are lots of self help books and cd versions too.

If you are genuinely, absolutely terrified, talk to your GP as they may allow you a scheduled c section. I know this because I requested one due to awful pregnancy related anxiety but they told me they’d only do it if it was the birth itself that I was scared of.

I can't offer any reassurance I'm afraid, other than to say it's usually easier when you are younger, and you aren't the only one scared.

Second time round for me, and I am much, much more scared this time. I absolutely categorically do not want to have this baby. I've got a section agreed but that's only marginally taken the edge off my fear. It's keeping me up at night and making me feel physically sick. I really wish I'd had an abortion. Thinking about it makes me cry.

Worst thing is, no one can help you with it!

It does hurt but I promise it's not as bad as you might think!

I was shit scared of it too and would regularly cry my eyes out because of it when I was pregnant. You're certainly not alone.

But, people wouldn't have more than one if it was really that awful!

Personally I found late pregnancy worse than labour, I was induced and had an epidural which are some women's worst nightmare but I even had a little nap in the middle of mine.

Best of luck op, it's a bit of nerve wracking time but you will have your beautiful son in your arms before you know it. Just because you are young doesn't mean you aren't going to be brilliant, because I bet you will be

Talk to your midwife about your fear and get some support. Also remember you don't get any prizes for doing it drug free. I was all set to do a waterbirth with just gas and air, but on the day they offered me an epidural and it was bloody brilliant. I slept through a lot of my Labour as a result, and the whole thing was very calm.

Hi - congratulations!
I had my little boy 7 months ago, I was seventeen too and also worried a lot about giving birth. If it's any reassurance, it actually went very well, I didn't tear and had no intervention, minimal blood loss and my son was handed straight to me. Recovery took just a few days. My midwife told me that often younger mothers do have straight forward births.
It is very painful, but if you look into different breathing techniques (also hypnobirthing has some advice) you'll be better equipped to deal with the pain - and if it does get too much you can always have pain relief.

Try to look at positive birth stories and use positive thinking (affirmations) it really does help. Talk to your midwife, she can offer support x

For me, the aftermath was worse than the labour. Saggy stomach that felt like it was going to flop right out of me, big wobbly, swollen feet, blood everywhere all the time... Yeah, it's not fun. Worth it though.

Honestly by the end of your pregnancy chances are you'll be so sick of being pregnant that you'll be praying to go into labour.

It's also worth remembering that some people (myself included) have labours that are completely fine it's just when people have awful ones, that tends to stick in your mind a lot more.

And if you want to, just take the drugs.