Anxiety in pregnancy

[sureitsgrand]

Anyone else? Or just me suffering with this particular delight....

Been signed off work for a week, am 31 weeks so not much longer to go anyway, but I'm not sure how I feel. Its been triggered by fear of a vbac I think.

Other than that, pregnancy going well but I keep convincing myself it's not if that makes sense. Think I've been almost hoping for something to go slightly wrong so I can have another c section.

My GP was brilliant, and I can feel myself starting to see a slight bit more sense after a good chat with her.

Anyone else had similar??

Hi
I had a c section with my first and then opted for a vbac for DS2 (who is currently four weeks old).
As I was approaching the latter weeks I kept hearing about how it would have been easier to go for an elective section, and that I would not know what to expect. This obviously put the fear of god into me and I was really concerned about my labour going all wrong and then ending up with a c section in the end. However I ended up with a short labour, I did require forceps for the delivery. BUT I can honestly say it was a better experience than my first. Try not to worry about it - take all the drugs you can get to help you through the labour. I had a spinal right at the end as I couldn't cope with the pain - it was absolutely bliss! Also I feel as though my recovery has been much better. Best of luck and try to sleep as much as you can before the baby arrives.

Thanks, I think I'm starting to get my head around the idea or at least be a bit more open about it. Before I was just obsessed with getting another c section!

Thought I was doing better but I'm back in bed. I can't cope with my toddler, I'm exhausted, I just feel unable. I can't tell if being in bed helps or not. I can usually get a handle on anxiety but this pregnancy it has floored me completely.

Can you talk to your mw about this?

I've spoke to gp I did feel a bit better yesterday after that.

What have they actually suggested? You need strategies to help and you should maybe talk through the plan for VBAC a bit more.

I agree with the above. I had a meeting with the consultant midwife when I was around 30 odd weeks pregnant to go through my birth plan. Also I made it very clear when I arrived at the hospital for DS2 that I didn't want this labour to go the way my last one had done. You are probably also tired due to having another child to look after as aswell. Please speak to your midwife.

I don't actually have a midwife as such just the consultant in hospital. I've spoke to her but she said she won't discuss the birth till I'm 39 weeks and just to stop worrying.

That's unhelpful! Can your GP ask for an earlier appointment?

Do you want a c section?

There is nothing wrong with that if you do x

I posted about this before, I'm in Ireland and we don't have NICE guidelines. It seems standard at my hospital not to confirm dates for c section until 39 weeks. I'd prefer a c section but no one will listen. So instead of letting anxiety take over I'm trying to accept the thoughts of a vbac

But today anxiety is winning. My husband has just told me it's too hard on him living with me as I am at the moment, that I'm constantly down or snappy and gone out for the evening. I just don't know what to do.

Ok, I’m not fully aware of Ireland’s policies.

What is it about a possible Vbac that worries you?

Have you tried any kind of relaxation techniques? X

To be honest it's not the labour pains that scare me. It's the thoughts of tearing/being cut etc. I'm not great with gynae stuff I can hardly cope with a smear test.

And scared of something going wrong.

I think that’s totally normally lovely. Worry about things going wrong is a normal
Worry for every pregnant women. But hundreds of women give birth everyday and do so safely.

Tearing.... there are things you can do to help reduce the risk of tearing. Perineal massage, water birth, not using coached pushing, not laying on your back.

Have you looked at Hypnobirthing? I think it could help you a lot xx

I looked at hypnobirthing classes on my last pregnancy but cancelled when I found out he was definitely breech and section was booked. I just don't have the same interest this time but I will try.

Hypnobirthing can help regardless of what delivery you have, it’s not just for a vaginal birth.

Maybe just having the extra support will help as your dr and midwife don’t sound very helpful x

Yes, I think I will look up a class. I'm out of bed today, cleaning manically which is at least better than lying in bed worrying!

Yes anything that distracts you from overly worrying about things will stop worrying. Just don’t over do it. 😘

X

If it's any help my friend and mum had to be cut and they said they were so away with the fairies ( concentrating on getting baby out) that they didn't even know they had and didn't feel the stitches either💕big hugs. Try meditation breathing too it's really good for clearing your thoughts so you can think rationally xx

Yes, I guess once things were underway you just get on with it, but it's the lead up to it.

Bit better today.

I understand how you feel, it's very hard. Your fear is one of the things that I really didn't want until I got told that then I chilled out about it. Try massaging your perineum with olive or coconut oil for ten minutes daily, it's supposed to make the area more supple🤗