Terrified to give birth

[Shynslk]

I'm booked in for an induction tomorrow. I've been having awful cramping pains since Tuesday night and when I genuinely thought labour was approaching yesterday and went to the hospital for a check over, they told me I'm still only in early labour and I'm only 1-2cm dilated. The pain is unbearable sometimes, so I am absolutely terrified for when actual labour starts.

They've told me they can just break my waters and we'll take things from there. Cervix is soft, short, everything is ready little man is just comfy. Does anyone have any hints or tips? I'm already practicing my breathing and I've got a tens machine which helps only a little. Paracetamol does nothing. To people who had their waters broke for induction, how did that go?

I can't answer all your questions but I will say I was terrified just before giving birth with both mine. I was wishing for just another day.
You will be fine..

Wishing you all the best x

My waters were broken for induction. My baby was out exactly 2 hours later. I was 42 weeks though and 2nd baby. Was scary though, because I'd only gone in for them to monitor the baby's heartbeat! So no baby bag, pj's nothing!

No advice on the induction but whilst still at home you could do things to get the oxytocin flowing, maybe have a nice bath, watch a favourite film, eat your favourite food. It’s super hard if you’re feeling pain and stress but honestly if you can relax as much as possible it can help speed things up.
make sure your not fighting against any contractions, try and relax into them, make sure you’re not tensing your shoulders/clenching your jaw/holding your breath etc

good luck OP it won’t be long now either way and it’s worth it in the end!

My waters were broken with 2 out of 3 of my babies (no induction). Gave birth within 3 hours afterwards for both. They were the best births I could have asked for, managed on gas and air (which I am amazed at as I can’t even stand the pain of a thorn in my finger!!).
Take the gas and air, it’s amazing and really helps with breathing. Would highly recommend the Freya app to keep on track of your breathing and feeling in control. A positive mindset will help you through, don’t panic and maintain happy thoughts. Let your partner talk to you about amazing happy times and the oxytocin levels will rise. Also keep off your back if you can, that is more painful! Good luck

I was terrified too, was induced, 14-hour labour, had 2 x epidural. During the weeks before, I dealt with my terror by repeating that millions of women give birth every year. When I was induced, which I was cross about as early signs of labour were there, I was thankful for being in the hands of experts. Afterwards, despite shouting at the anaesthetist and telling the midwife I was going to go home, I was elated because I had a healthy, beautiful DS.

My advice is to get rid of preconceptions. I wanted a waterbirth but that didn't happen! Good luck!

I had waters broken, then induction hormones too. 48 hr labour, 2 hrs pushing. It was really, really boring for lots of the time.

While you're at home, do things you enjoy. Treat yourself. Take a nice bath, beautify for your own pleasure, enjoy your garden, have a stroll if you can manage it, watch something you enjoy on TV, read a book, have a cuddle with dh/partner...

There’s no point worrying. It will happen however it happens. You’ll be in the thick of it during the “business end” of labour and will basically be swept along without much conscious thought. Just grit your teeth, shut your eyes and it’ll all be over one way or another at some point soon. “This too shall pass”.

I was induced and absolutely terrified BUT once labour got properly started I suddenly became very calm and I still remember thinking at the time, “ welll I’m in labour and I’ve got to go through it to get to the other side. This time next week it will all be over”. You will be okay I promise you . Wishing you all the very best

If the pain is bad and you don't want it anymore, epidurals are an option. Epidurals remove all fear of birth for me and you can always let them wear off towards the end so you can feel for the pushing bit. I feel like natural birth with no intervention is upheld as the thing to aim for but I had a really positive experience with epidurals. Currently pregnant with no. 3 and plan on getting an epidural again as soon as I get to hospital.

Obviously epidurals aren't right for everyone but basically just saying, you don't have to be in pain if you don't want to be.

If you are scared of the pains being bad ask for an epidural.

I also had a great experience with epidurals.

I know it can feel overwhelming but try to remember that a contraction builds and the peak only lasts about 30 seconds before going off again. You can do anything for 30 seconds!

So when it came down to it I refused to have my waters broken! Just had such a paddy.

DH came up from home (he'd been looking after DS1) and just bollocksed me into it. Thank god.

Anyway, long story short, got my epidural, got my hypnobreathing on the go and it was the most amazing experience which I'd do again.

Having massively feared childbirth (I'd previously had a section) and had my mum trying to talk me out of it the day before, it was hugely positive! So grateful to have had it.

This is true, you can decide how much pain relief you want, you do have control with epidurals and also gas and air is very effective.

I was terrified even with my third. But as soon as I knew the epidural was imminent I was fine. Epidurals are amazing. No woman needs to be grunting away in pain or ‘managing’ with pathetic mediocre half measures. If men had babies, epidurals would be standard. Not the cheapo bean bags, twig between the teeth and pat-on-the-head-brave-girl approach of the NHS. Just get proper pain relief. Epidural.

Try not to be scared, even though it’s natural to be worried about the unknown. When I was in labour, I was too busy taking the contractions one by one to worry about anything else. I can obviously only speak for myself but the actual birth (pushing bit, baby coming out etc) was the bit I worried most about but it was the easiest part! The contractions were intense and painful but I took them one by one. I had so many plans for labour, a yoga ball, essential oils, fluffy slippers for walking about, snacks etc I’d use all these until I couldn’t take it anymore and then ask for an epidural. It all went out the window… labour was too fast and I only took my knickers off about 40mins before baby arrived, there was no time for an epidural and it was all a blur. But it was fine, absolutely fine. Just wait for that moment when they give you your baby… wow. There’s nothing like it in this world.

Your body takes over and gets the job done, don’t panic and try to rest when you can. You’re gonna do great! 💕💕

In France epidurals are standard and most people can't understand why any woman would want to give birth without one.

When I was pregnant with my first child I wanted to try and give birth without one because I'd read all sorts of scare stories, mostly from UK based sources, about how epidurals cause a cascade of interventions. When I expressed my concerns to my doctor has was like, "of course they don't!" and told me about his colleague who used to work for the NHS and says the way they make women give birth in the UK (i.e. "managing with a bit of gas and air") is "barbaric".

I wasn't convinced, but I ended up having two epidurals and am now inclined to believe that the French are right about this and the Brits are wrong.

If it were true that epidurals cause interventions such as assisted deliveries and C-sections, logically you would expect the rate of assisted deliveries and C-sections to be higher in France than it is in the UK. But it is not.

I'm not a fan of inductions, but the silver lining of being induced in the UK is that you can insist that they give you an epidural before starting the hormone drip. And then you can relax and wait for your cervix to fully dilate rather than breathing through painful contractions.

This may be too late as you may have already had your baby, in which case, congratulations 😊.

If not, I would say not to worry prematurely. Not all women have a difficult time during childbirth. You may be one of them (us).

I had a TENS machine on my back for both of my deliveries, had learned breathing exercises and didn’t really need the gas and air. I was prepared for anything necessary but it turned out that I didn’t need it. And having spoken to others, I’m not alone in having a straightforward birth.

Obviously everyone’s experience is different and some women labour for a long time and need interventions, epidurals etc. But I would say not to worry too much in advance.

Hope it goes well for you.

Thank you everyone for advice and well wishes. Went in for the induction at 8am to be told I was already 4cm so they were happy to break my waters or wait and see if they went themselves. After 2 hours I was still 4cm so had my waters broken then. Little man was born on the 22nd at 23.09 with forceps used and a spinal needed for me, but he is absolutely perfect