Is it weird that I’m not scared about going through labor?

[Spockrates]

I’m 32 weeks pregnant and I’m not afraid about giving birth this seems to be a common fear that I am seeing a lot of articles on my pregnancy apps about but I don’t seem to have that fear? I feel pretty calm about it I have always had a high pain tolerance (maybe this will humble me?) I don’t plan on going with an epidural either also this is my first pregnancy so maybe the excitement of having my baby is overriding this fear that I’m supposed to have? Because I am so excited for the day my baby is finally here I can hardly wait only 8 weeks to go!!

Hopefully you won't need to be fearful and it'll go well. Don't be too dismissive about pain relief, it can be great, especially if you end up being induced or have instrumental delivery.

Nope. I wasn't scared at all and actually had a great experience. I was pretty freaked out at the idea of having a newborn to look after though

There are so many horror stories but I can honestly say that my experience was really positive. I know other people who also had really positive experiences and I don't think these are shared enough. It's great you are relaxed about it all, it's amazing what your body can do. Being relaxed on the day will only help to support your body to give birth x

I was like this with my first, not scared at all, high pain threshold etc. Ended up climbing the walls at 3cm and had every bit of pain relief I could have thrown at me. In hindsight, I think I was very naive. I have had 3 children since with gas and air only. But nothing anyone says can really prepare you for your first as we are all different and it is the 'unknown.'

So I was terrified and I spent my pregnancy worrying over the birth/pain and once I had done it I was so cross with myself for spoiling my pregnancy when there was no need! To be honest feeling calm and staying open minded I believe contributed to my positive birth experience and hope that it will do the same
for you. I was induced but managed on just some gas and air and overall had a good birth! I wish now I had had your mindset lol! Also nothing to be scared about, yes it hurts and isn’t a walk in the park but it’s not as bad as I thought and our bodies are built for this! You’ll smash it x

I wasn't scared about labour either. I ruled out an epidural before I went into labour. Then my labour went on and on 42 hours and baby was back to back. After 33 hours I demanded an epidural. It was the most amazing thing ever. I wouldn't rule anything out. If your struggling don't be a hero, take what you can I say. Good luck xx

I had very NCT antenatal experience in 0z, 23 years ago. Quite wooo. But my 'birth-plan' 😂😂😂 didn't include any 'no drugs, despite me crawling across the ceiling, demanding them'- clause! ...The actual birth was cartoonish in its execution. We went down every avenue bar Caesarian. Tho that's an option I wouldn't discount.

You have to 'go there' before you 'know'.

You might cope, your birth might be straight forward; but be prepared for all hands on deck. If the end result is happy mum, healthy baby; job done.

Don't go in with preconceptions (pun intended). You actually don't know what lies between you with your first twinge and the reality of childbirth. And there are many false prophets.

I'm glad you're relaxed. But try and emotionally prepare yourself. I think there are quite a lot of PPD mothers out there due to flippancy regarding the reality of what might lie ahead.

But, with all due respect , and glad your birth experience was so positive, mine, aged 60, as I am now, I can reel off the names of my colleagues who had a WONDERFUL 'two pushes and it's over'- first birth; followed by a 42-hour-later crash-Caesarian second time around.

It's lovely to encourage. But 'it'll be FINE! Coz mine was!'-take isn't that helpful.

I would very much 'have an open mind' - I've been induced 3 times, only managed to get an epidural for the 3rd- the difference was incredible. There are many factors, position of baby, induction etc .

Excuse me how rude are you!!

I wasn’t scared of giving birth and had two complication-free homebirths. I did hypno-birthing and read Ina May Gaskin when I was pregnant, which helped me not fear birth. But the straightforward labours and deliveries were mostly just down to luck I should have thought.

I wasn't.. I even went in and was on the ward waiting to be induced and said someone was being dramatic when I heard the way they was screaming.. let me tell you I will forever be petrified if I have to go through them contraction pains again😂

First birth. Did hypnobirthing. Fast delivery not much pain all good. No pain relief at all. Second birth back to back long painful delivery and gas and air didn’t do much. However I think your approach is right.

I went in with total denial and would do so again haha. Second time not so much, actually I was probably more scared second time around as I knew what was coming.

As previous poster said I was more scared of looking after an actual baby, both times haha.

I don't think there's anything wrong with not being scared. Just be realistic and that should help!

Oh, mine was also 'positive'. 'Challenging' doesn't always equate to 'negative'.

Both mine were challenging, natural births. I won't lie, if I knew then what I know now, I'd've gone elective CS with both. But neither were PPD inducing. But they were both bloody hard work. I don't rate myself as 'a better woman' for having endured them, I hasten to add. But ultimately they were positive insomuch as I got through it, so did they.

I'm so happy for you. I had no fear at all and both of my births were very positive experiences. The fear and anxiety of possible pain can definitely have an impact.

I don't think @Fordian was rude, it's a valid comment.

I always try to be kind to people when I see/comment on threads and there just has to be someone like you to try and spoil it and bring someone down.

Of course you don’t

I wasn't scared (possibly naive). Kept telling myself that it's natural and ur body is meant to be able to do it.

I have a low pain threshold but well once ur pregnant u know the baby has to come out. So no point worrying about it.

Although it was way worse than I cld imagine but still least I wasn't scared about it beforehand 😆

I am 38 weeks pregnant-
My first pregnancy- I'm not scared either just excited-
Also decided against an epidural.
I'm not naive- I know it's going to hurt like hell, but I also think women wouldn't do it more than once of it was horrific x

It’s always good not to be afraid :)
just keep an open mind
all the best

I wasn't afraid of birth but I was afraid of pain. I used to have horrific period cramps so couldn't imagine something worse than that. Turns out I was relatively lucky and, though it was 36 hours of on off gradually building pain, my son's birth was totally manageable with no pain relief which was what I wanted :)

I had an episiotomy, a 3b tear and surgery to repair it at the end but I still view it as an overall positive experience. Pretty sure I said 'Oh that wasn't so bad, I'd do it again' about ten minutes after my son was born 😅

Nothing wrong with not being scared :)

I felt the same, I was humbled 😂

I felt the same as you. However things sometimes can and do take a turn. You’ll get lots of those stories here. I had late pre-eclampsia and was told I couldn’t have the birth plan I wished for, for good reason. I wasn’t prepared for being told on a regular visit that I couldn’t leave. And then you can imagine… after being poked and prodded up the special zone, inc the “jungle heat” they insert to force labour… ugh. Turns out I was allergic to that!!! Odd scenario, I know… but please realise things aren’t always to your plan. Won’t go into that but I can tell you when they told me to push I did. And if you’re like me, I pushed once, far too hard. And he was out. Super haemorrhage. No one warns you about that. Second birth ‘round I held back and got yelled at for it. It was afraid of doing what I’d done before. My pain threshold is high too. I pushed twice. Sorted. No hemmo. One thing I will say is thank any and all of the gods for NHS surgeons. Both times I had to go into surgery afterwards. And both times I was given a “special tightening.” Can’t believe I’m sharing it but SO glad 🙂 I got it both times!! You’ll be okay. Just be OPEN and all will follow as it should. The NHS is strapped but they are so full of love and care. They want the best for you and baby! They do it out of love and duty, not for money!