Why am I panicking about labour 2nd time round but didn't panic 1st time?

[Elsqueak]

Did anyone have this constant nervous feeling with their next baby?
Had straight forward pregnancy with DC1 but was induced 41wks. Delivered on gas and air. All well.

Why am I panicking at the thought of of giving birth this time round? I just don't understand it.

I'm coping by keeping busy with DC1 so thankfully it's not all the time but the minute I look at the calendar and realise I've got a matter of weeks I feel sick and shudder at the thought of hours of labour.

I just feel this dread at the thought of getting through it.
Maybe this is normal? Would love to hear your experiences on this.

I'm on DC2 and was starting to panic a bit about labour so I got a book and CD on hypnobirthing and did a class on active birthing and now feel a lot more positive. Might be worth doing?

Oo, thanks. I hadn't thought of hypno birthing. I'll look into that.

I'm much more anxious this time, but not about labour itself as have an ELCS booked at 39+2.

But with DS, waters broke at 36+4, and after failed induction he came via EMCS at 37w.

I'm just more anxious about the timing of this, if waters break, or labour starts early, I'm 37+3 today.

Logistically we're not ready (long story but have to move into temp accommodation when baby gets here, and can't do that till next Monday at earliest) and if baby comes early we have next to no emergency care for DS, so I worry I'll have to go through it all on my own, as DP will need to care for DS.

So although our worries may be different, I empathise with you that 2nd time is not easier as many would assume.

Bloody hell, jollster. You've obviously got more reason to worry than me. I'm sorry you've got that hanging over you.
Really, you have no one else as your birth partner if DP can't be there? That's awful.

Its probably because you know what's to come. Ignorant bliss the first time, although we all were aware of what to expect it wasn't until the actual experience that we could actually understand what our bodies were doing, and all the pain was normal!

I didn't have chance to worry with my son as he arrived at 39 weeks plus because I had no idea what to expect I didn't really think about it.

This time around I know what to expect plus am totally fed up & ready for him to arrive, but not so keen on the idea of actually giving birth. The idea of an ELCS seems quite appealing at the moment.

I think it's because you have a better idea of what's ahead of you. The first time although you read about it, you don't really know what to expect. My first was born by emergency c-section which of course I wasn't prepared for, so second time round was worried would go that way too. I think also if you have given birth to a healthy baby first time round, there is a slight fear that you might not be so lucky next time - I know that I felt that. My second birth was much easier. Good luck to all of you, we all know it is worth it!

You're probably right. I think it was ignorant bliss first time! I just wish I was feeling more positive about it.
I know that it's called 'labour' for a reason and that the end result is more than worth it. I just remember the hours of pacing up and down the hospital corridors trapped in this delirious pain-bubble.

I think the other thing is worrying DC1 will feel pushed out & wondering why this new baby takes up all mummy's time.

I guess these are the usual worries of 2nd time mums! I just want to snap out of it!