Birth fears

[Mrstobe90]

Hi,

I’m 30+1 and am starting to worry about giving birth.

I have anxiety anyway (although it’s been under control for the past year) and am worried that I won’t be able to cope in childbirth. I’ve had people tell me that you feel like you’re dying and it’s really scaring me.
I’m utterly terrified that something will go wrong.

I’m meant to be having hypnobirth classes soon but am still waiting for the woman to contact me.

Any advice/reassuring stories would be massively appreciated.

Thanks everyone! I guess it’ll just be a case of dealing with it all as it happens. I think it’s bothering me so much because I don’t know what to expect.

I was fairly terrified before my first - I read loads and loads of positive birth stories on sites like homebirth UK and 'tell me a good birth story' and a book called 'stand and deliver'. I also read the original 'call the midwife' novels which were incredibly helpful in recognising that many women have done this before and not long ago homebirth was very mainstream etc.

FWIW, I've had 3 DC and had the first 2 at home in water and the third in labour suite. All 3 have been very different but all fabulous, empowering, cherished events and I would readily, happily labour and birth many times over again (however i don't want to look after the resulting children )

I listened to hypnobirth CDs everyday, went to Active blrth yoga classes and felt all that really helped.

Fear is normal but do what you can to help yourself feel more prepared and know that you've got some strategies for keeping calm if they're needed.

The sisterhood is with you x