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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

I don't know how I'm going to give birth

55 replies

laralou28 · 08/11/2022 15:20

I'm 34 weeks pregnant, anaemic, out of breath, can't get to the top of the stairs without being out of breath. I'm so tired. Trying to get my iron up. How am I going to give birth. I'm so scared right now. Everyone says your body takes over.
I have no energy left in me anymore. Just looking for some advice 😢

OP posts:
yoyoer · 08/11/2022 15:26

Honestly you just do it, my last labour was 28 hours long I was so so tired and honestly I've no idea how I found the energy to physically push but I did it!
I'm sorry your feeling so rubbish, can you rest as much as possible between now and when baby decides to arrive?

WildCherryBlossom · 08/11/2022 15:31

If you are extremely anaemic is a blood transfusion an option?

It has true that your body takes over. Listen to your body. It knows what to do!

ChecoPerez · 08/11/2022 15:31

Honestly you'll be fine! I remember having a full on panic attack and the associated pain deep in my right breast when I have a PA and my midwife told me my body will take over and it did. It knew what to do. Don't worry, you'll be fine

Lapland123 · 08/11/2022 15:32

Don’t put any thought or worry into that- it will all just happen regardless

can you just rest and take it as easy as possible from now? Have no expectations to do anything. If you are still working, can you be signed off?

goldsparklyChocolate · 08/11/2022 15:32

You could request a c section if you really feel you won’t be able to manage x

HelloBunny · 08/11/2022 15:36

My birth didn’t go as planned at all. You can’t really know what’s going to happen on the day. I thought i was all set for a natural birth, and was feeling absolutely fine.
But there was a problem in the end, and it was EMCS. Try not to worry, and put your trust in the people who will be there on the day you go in. That’s all you can do...

BlahBlah36 · 08/11/2022 15:42

I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and was especially worried about this before giving birth. I had really bad shortness of breath towards the end (had testing in hospital for pulmonary embolism but was all OK).

Have you spoken to your midwife/GP about the anaemia and ensuring you are getting correct supplements?

Honestly, I had no issue during the birth. DS dropped into position in week 35/36 which took a bit of the shortness of breath away. I was pretty tired by time I went into labour at 37+5 but I think I just went on autopilot.

It’s not for everyone, but I downloaded a free hypnobirthing track and listened before bed for a week or two. It really helped boost my confidence going into the process.

Talk out your concerns with your birth partner, they’ll be able to back you up more easily if they know your worries and preferences before you get there.

It’s not much comfort now while your worries are focused on going into labour already run down and exhausted but your body really does just take over.

Try to rest and relax as much as you can.

Umbrellabee · 08/11/2022 16:04

You just get through it! Your body does take over especially towards the end of the labour, you can’t not push if that makes sense! My labours were pretty quick so had no time but I know some people that have an epidural and were then able to rest and sleep a little. But requesting a section is also an option, could you talk to your midwife about this?

Nursemumma92 · 08/11/2022 16:37

Your body will definitely take over. If you are finding yourself very short of breath then you could discuss with your midwife the possibility of an iron infusion. Works quicker than tablets and it sounds like you could do with it. I'm 33 weeks with my second, definitely short of breath and have no energy. This last stretch is very hard but you can do this 💪
Although other posters are right, you can always discuss an elective c section if you're worried about your body coping with labour but it does come with the recovery afterwards.

Take care x

ILoveJoeBrowns · 08/11/2022 16:40

When they say your body just takes over, it's TRUE! I remember when I was in the last part of labour, I was saying things like I couldn't do it and "Help me!", but my body had other ideas and was just getting on with it!

Original poster
laralou28 · 08/11/2022 18:44

BlahBlah36 · 08/11/2022 15:42

I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and was especially worried about this before giving birth. I had really bad shortness of breath towards the end (had testing in hospital for pulmonary embolism but was all OK).

Have you spoken to your midwife/GP about the anaemia and ensuring you are getting correct supplements?

Honestly, I had no issue during the birth. DS dropped into position in week 35/36 which took a bit of the shortness of breath away. I was pretty tired by time I went into labour at 37+5 but I think I just went on autopilot.

It’s not for everyone, but I downloaded a free hypnobirthing track and listened before bed for a week or two. It really helped boost my confidence going into the process.

Talk out your concerns with your birth partner, they’ll be able to back you up more easily if they know your worries and preferences before you get there.

It’s not much comfort now while your worries are focused on going into labour already run down and exhausted but your body really does just take over.

Try to rest and relax as much as you can.

Hi thanks for your message. It's reassuring to read that you got through it even with chronic fatigue syndrome. I am lucky I haven't been working the whole 9 months so been able to rest when I can. I really don't want a c section I want to be able to give birth and to home to my son asap. Maybe I'm just having a bad day energy wise. Last time I saw consultant iron transfusion was mentioned so maybe that will help. Taking supplements but it's hard as they don agree with me

OP posts:
Original poster
laralou28 · 08/11/2022 18:45

yoyoer · 08/11/2022 15:26

Honestly you just do it, my last labour was 28 hours long I was so so tired and honestly I've no idea how I found the energy to physically push but I did it!
I'm sorry your feeling so rubbish, can you rest as much as possible between now and when baby decides to arrive?

Hi thanks for your reply. I am lucky I don't work so I can rest when I like when my son goes to school. Maybe just having a bad day

OP posts:
Original poster
laralou28 · 08/11/2022 18:45

WildCherryBlossom · 08/11/2022 15:31

If you are extremely anaemic is a blood transfusion an option?

It has true that your body takes over. Listen to your body. It knows what to do!

I saw consultant a few weeks ago she said if it doesn't go up soon then it will be an option. Maybe that will be the solution in a few weeks when I see her next

OP posts:
Original poster
laralou28 · 08/11/2022 18:46

Lapland123 · 08/11/2022 15:32

Don’t put any thought or worry into that- it will all just happen regardless

can you just rest and take it as easy as possible from now? Have no expectations to do anything. If you are still working, can you be signed off?

Hiya luckily I don't work so I can rest a lot when my son goes to school. Just trying to get things done before he arrives. Thanks for the message x

OP posts:
Original poster
laralou28 · 08/11/2022 18:47

HelloBunny · 08/11/2022 15:36

My birth didn’t go as planned at all. You can’t really know what’s going to happen on the day. I thought i was all set for a natural birth, and was feeling absolutely fine.
But there was a problem in the end, and it was EMCS. Try not to worry, and put your trust in the people who will be there on the day you go in. That’s all you can do...

Thankyou. My last birth didn't go to plan either. I guess epidural is always an option if I'm exhausted.

OP posts:
Montague22 · 08/11/2022 18:47

Your body does take over but fuel it. I fainted in labour 3 and they think it was low blood sugar.

Jojobees · 08/11/2022 18:48

Spatone. It’s not cheap but saved me from an iron transfusion and allowed me to birth in the birth centre.

Montague22 · 08/11/2022 18:48

….mine are super fast though so prob not typical. But have lots of sugary snacks anyway.

Original poster
laralou28 · 08/11/2022 18:48

Umbrellabee · 08/11/2022 16:04

You just get through it! Your body does take over especially towards the end of the labour, you can’t not push if that makes sense! My labours were pretty quick so had no time but I know some people that have an epidural and were then able to rest and sleep a little. But requesting a section is also an option, could you talk to your midwife about this?

Thanks for your reply. I had an epidural with my first baby. Maybe that could be a possibility again. I just wanted this time it to be a bit more natural and to be able to go home to my other son asap but I think I'm going to think about me
And what I need for now

OP posts:
Cr3ateAUsername · 08/11/2022 18:49

I was severely anaemic during my whole pregnancy but when the time came for me to give birth, I just did it. And surely enough my iron levels started to increase soon after. You will be fine!

Original poster
laralou28 · 08/11/2022 18:50

Nursemumma92 · 08/11/2022 16:37

Your body will definitely take over. If you are finding yourself very short of breath then you could discuss with your midwife the possibility of an iron infusion. Works quicker than tablets and it sounds like you could do with it. I'm 33 weeks with my second, definitely short of breath and have no energy. This last stretch is very hard but you can do this 💪
Although other posters are right, you can always discuss an elective c section if you're worried about your body coping with labour but it does come with the recovery afterwards.

Take care x

Hiya, nice to speak to someone same boat as me. The consultant mentioned about an infusion last time I saw her if my levels don't go up in a few weeks it will be a possibility. Maybe it will be the solution to making me feel a bit better and ready for labour. Hope everything goes well with your birth. When is your due date? Mine is 19th dec

OP posts:
Original poster
laralou28 · 08/11/2022 18:51

ILoveJoeBrowns · 08/11/2022 16:40

When they say your body just takes over, it's TRUE! I remember when I was in the last part of labour, I was saying things like I couldn't do it and "Help me!", but my body had other ideas and was just getting on with it!

It's amazing what women can do

OP posts:
Allthegoodusernamesareused · 08/11/2022 18:52

Spatone saved me when I was seriously anaemic with my second pregnancy! Sadly not available on the NHS, and not cheap but worked really well. I can't take iron tablets as they cause excruciating stomach pain. Midwife recommended Spatone.

Original poster
laralou28 · 08/11/2022 18:52

Jojobees · 08/11/2022 18:48

Spatone. It’s not cheap but saved me from an iron transfusion and allowed me to birth in the birth centre.

Been taking it but unfortunately not feeling any better

OP posts:
Original poster
laralou28 · 08/11/2022 18:53

Cr3ateAUsername · 08/11/2022 18:49

I was severely anaemic during my whole pregnancy but when the time came for me to give birth, I just did it. And surely enough my iron levels started to increase soon after. You will be fine!

That's good to know Thankyou!

OP posts:
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