Terrified of giving birth

[bellerous]

Hiya,

I'm 40 weeks today I went to hospital with reduced movement last week and again today. They gave me a stretch and sweep which was the most uncomfortable thing ever and have booked me in for an induction on Sunday if nothing happens before then.

I am now feeling absolutely terrified at the thought of labour like I honestly don't think I can do it. I am terrible with pain and can't even cope with period pain sometimes.

My partner is so excited and keeps asking if I'm excited that we'll get to meet our baby soon and I'm trying to be but I feel sick with nerves. Is this normal?

It is normal and it sounds like the sweep has freaked you out a bit too. I'm sure there's lots of advice on the forums.. Try to talk to your partner about your fears. Have you been taught any relaxation techniques. Download your favourite music and go through all your pain relief options with your partner so he can back you up and be your advocate. I had a friend who knew she wanted an epidural all through her pregnancy. There's nothing wrong with that. The weird thing about childbirth is once you hold your baby you forget the pain! Good luck!

Totally and completely normal!
Perhaps it's the thought of an induction? Spontaneous labour happens whenever but you have to plan ahead for induction?
FWIW I am never prouder of my body than when it has managed to give birth.
Period pain sucks. Contractions give you your baby.
My first was born 2 1/2 hours after I turned up at hospital. Wishing you a similar birth.
Oh and drugs CAN be good!!

It's a bit last-minute, but you could order a CD of hypnotherapy relaxation - www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk/. I found it very helpful. Even if you just listen to the CD twice a day until Sunday, it will probably have some effect.

watch some positive birth videos - hypnobirthing, water birth type of videos that are a few minutes long and have happy women in control of their labour and birth which will leave you weepy and excited about doing it yourself.

I can't cope with period pain either, I had 3 drug free births (2 water births).

You don't have to be induced if your baby is happy, you and your placenta are healthy.

Ah, bellerous, you will be alright . Sweeps are uncomfortable but they are not at all like contractions. The thing about contractions (whether induced or natural start) is that they gradually build and you get accustomed to them as they go along. You also have a build up of hormones to help you cope, and you can also use whatever pain relief you want. I found a TENS machine helped, although I know that they are not everyone's cup of tea.

The induction will probably start with the propess (sp?) pessary, which can start things off and then labour progresses just like it would have done otherwise. The syntocinon (sp again?!) drip is usually used if the pessary doesn't start things off. Again, although the drip does kick things off, it can be started at a low amount and only gradually turned up if needed, so you can get used to it.

Please do talk to your partner and try and explain that although exciting, it is also making you nervous and his job is to support you. I would also tell the midwives in the hospital that you are very worried about the induction - hopefully they will bear this in mind when talking to you.

Wolfiefan is right that the thing about contractions is that they have a purpose, so any pain is tempered by the feeling that you are getting closer to having got through it. It's not at all the same as having pain from an injury or an operation, where the pain is constant and serves no purpose.

And I also agree with Thatsnotmyfigure that when your baby has arrived, the whole labour just fades and becomes irrelevant. Hard to believe beforehand!