22 weeks - think pg hormones are doing things to me as my terror of giving birth seems to be receding

[dinny]

how is this possible? must be the hormones? I was in a right state a couple of weeks ago, feel quite all right about it now, what the heck??

I'm the complete opposite! The closer d day comes the more realisation dawns that this baby has to come out one way or another. Whether I like it or not. Still cant get my head round that bump will become baby and then whole life will change!

dinny...Much respect...can I borow your positive thinking!! I wish my fear was subsiding! Its actually getting worse!

I am so scared of the pain...and my friend from school just had her 1st child 3 weeks early by emergency C-Section, and she said the contractions bloody hurt... so that hasnt helped!

Why do poeple find it necessary to be brutally honesy about childbirth?! I had to have oxygen when I had my implant removed!

are these your first babies, bib and emma? (sorry, can't remember, think they are?)

this is my third - I've never even had gas and air, I honestly don't find contractions that bad, just like mega-bad period pains - cope-able with

I just really really don't like second stage...

yeah...baby number 1!! I think its just the fear of the unknown thats getting me! Can't someone invent a childbirth simulator?!

Check you out Dinny...your hardcore! Were they pretty quick births? Not even gas and air...im crossing my legs at the thought!

emma - dd was 5 hours, very very intense and scary though (sorry) as she was unexpectednly early (35+5) so took us all unawares. honestly, until contractions are really near transition they aren't too bad, as you have a break between to recover a bit. she came out really easily as she was only 6.7lb, I didn't even have a tear/graze

ds was born at 40 weeks and had a 4 hour labour - again, coped with contractions fine, all going v smoothly, was actually quite chilled out but then his shoulders got stuck after his head had crowned and that was well scary (though easily resolved)

still didn't tear or anything though, and he was 9.3

just be prepared for 2nd stage feeling like you are doing a MAHOOSIVE poo

and also maybe vomiting when you are in transition (which I did both times,and which totally freaked me out the first time)

I was upright during both my labours, sure it made them quite fast

dinny...the way im feeling...doing, or even feeling like im doing a mahoosive poo would be quite nice!!

I really hope I have decent length labours like you! Did you not get bombarded with everyones horror stories?! How it took 72 hours and baby was 13lb?! I just feel like punching those people!! lol!

Ooh...sickness...will write that one down, as if it takes me by surprise I will probably be hysterical!! lol!

lol

yes, I did get all the horror stories beforehand - I think I was prob quite lucky

that's why am terrified this time....hope lukc hasn't run out

I imagined labour to be the worst thing imaginable. I thought the pain would be unbearable and I wouldn't be able to cope. However, it was actually fine. It's only one day, the pain isn't constant as you have time to recover between contractions. It's quite exciting too as the pregnancy will soon be over (hooray) and you'll meet your little baby.

In fact I have fond memories of my first labour and now pregnant with my second - I haven't any concerns at all about doing it again. Also - if you feel that the pain is too much - there are plenty of analgesic options - epidurals are common and provide fab pain relief. I had gas and air and pethadine and both were marvellous.

I would try and hold out as long as possible before having different types of pain relief - use a TENS machine at home, gas and air works almost immediately and pethadine takes only 10 mins. Epidurals take about 20mins.

I would go into labour with the attitute that yes it's going to hurt - but it's not for long - it'll be all gone by the next day. Try and relax during it - try and doze between contractions. The pain doesn't mean that there is anything going wrong with your body - it really is a normal process.

Evolutionary- Nature needs to give you warning that you are about to give birth - you don't want to deliver outside in a field with dangerous animals around - nature wants you back in your cave where it's safe and warm and prepared for your baby. The pain makes you retract to somewhere safe. Also it's thought that we have pain in labour which completely stops when baby is born so that it helps with the bonding.

I am a complete wimp normally - my husband calls me a 'sickly child'!!!!! But honestly it was fine - it's just that everyone likes tellling a horror story!

Reesie, thanks fot your post

I had a bit of a difficult second delivery, which has put the fear of God into me

actually, last night I went for a tour of the delivery suite (different hospital to where I had ds and dd) and it seemed quite OK

mw was saying she was most terrified when pg with her third too!

I have had one DC already. Wasn't sure I was in labour but remember thinking I really hope I am cos it bloody hurts. Had no feelings of contractions just really bad backache. Feels the same as when I am constipated and poo really needs to come out . As it turns out I was in labour for 18hours before my mum came round told me I was in labour and dragged me to hospital. Once there it progressed really quickly which is when the pain became less bearable. I think if I had been calmer I would have coped easier. They actually pinned me to the bed at one point (while waiting for aneasthetic) and when I gave up on being able to move and just started screaming the pain was weirdly less. My body just took over as I stopped trying to be in control! Hope that does put you of Emma!

I felt the same first time round as well, getting more scared as it got closer.

Just realised. Dont we all have the same due date?

I argued with the MW last week because she wanted to give me an injection and I said no I wasn't in pain (and I was feeling like a pin cushion with the vital drugs as it was). I'd taken co-dydramol for my back and would do it every four hours happily I'm in so much pain, but labour isn't "in pain" in my books. I just keep reminding myself it will pass shortly and then I'll feel fine. My first labour I did with just entonox in the last half hour or so and the second one I was fully dilated with nothing before they took me for a GA.

Stay mobile, remember it will pass and keep positive.

I'm due 7th March, BIB

seriously want an elective - am all scared again today!

dinny and bib we are all due 7th march!! Mind you...that doesnt really mean much does it!!! Especially since everyone keeps telling me thay can see me going overdue!

dinny i was thinking about electives...but then my friend had to have an EMCS last week and that got me thinking that i would shit myself being taken into theatre!! lol

I had EMCS last time and am keen for a VBAC this time. I want to avoid another section at all possible costs. Just keepn reminding myself that this is what our bodies are ultimately designed for so all will be fine. Now I've had one DC I kind of know what to expect so hopefully all will go well. I certainly am having a nicer pregnancy!

Dinny You had such good labours last time, it will probably be even easier this time round. You could be home 3 hours after contractions start! Thats got to be far better then me having 23hours of labour and then HAVING to stay in hospital for 3 days after c/s. Honestly, you will be fine.

Hey girls!

Dinny I know how you feel. Like you I've had good births, and very fast. My births have been about 3-4 hours including the pushing stage.

I just keep thinking that something will go terribly wrong. It feels like I'm pushing my luck with a third because the first two were so "easy".

I too fluctuate between being scared and extremely calm and excited. I just keep telling myself that it will be how it will be.

doesn't help that sooo many people keep telling me I am massive for 23 weeks!!!!

My boss last night told me that I was big for 5months. I was shocked cos I thought it was about normal. Then he started telling me it was probably twins and he knows loads of pregnant women and I am huge etc etc.

I am pretty convinced no twins. Had 3 scans and no sign and I am sure that they could have picked it up.

That just makes me at boss for comments on my precious bump. WHO THE HELL DOES HE THINK HE IS!

They do say that subsequent babies are bigger dont they so you could be in for a whopper this time, hence a big bump? They will pick it up nearer the time tho if it is very big and if you need it offer an elective.

gah, so annoying, isn't it, BIB? dh says it is only because am skinny in RL (BLESS HIM!!!!) - lol, said RL then - meant usually aka non-preggers

dd was big for gestation (6.7 at 35 weeks) and ds was 9.3 at term, so think this one will be over 9 and a half

they do say subsequent ones are bigger - how big was your first?

Might sound really stupid but whats RL?

DS was 8lb 2 but I had a c/s. Different dad this time so not sure whether that makes a difference. All of current partners siblings and himself were arould 6lb as were me and my sister. Ex and his siblings were all around 8lb so not sure whether that will affect the weights?

Hpoing for natural birth this time so really hope not too big as I didn't have a practice run with DS IYSWIM!

BIB RL is real life!!

I am hoping for a 6lber!! I have also requested one that arrives at 36/7 weeks, sleeps through the night and has an off switch!! Not sure what the service is like though...Ive heard they dont always send what you ask for!!!!

I asked for DS at 37weeks. I another month to wait cos he came at 42weeks. Dont get your hopes up Emma

Just when you think its nearly over you have 5 weeks to go!

nooooo, don't ask for them too early - makes huge difference feeding wise (dd was just under 36 weeks and had a hard time sucking and was v jaundiced etc)

I suppose that might have helped us then. We had no problems with bf at all (sorry) but maybe cos DS was late?

yeah, ds was term and he was a bf pro!!