so scared to labour...

[musicjunkiee]

its only 4 weeks away and im getting really frightened, i cant even watch one born every minute anymore.

does anyone else feel like this?

 

[AC1987]

Nope, was excited the first time and even more this time its a unique experience!

 

[Mrs HM]

I hadn't been able to watch OBEM since my DS arrived two years ago, although I loved it before that! Don't be frightened as I think that can make the pain worse as you tense up...although that's easier said than done! I only got to 6cm before having an emcs last time, but I actually enjoyed the contractions and although it was weird being in hospital and a strange environment, it wasn't at all scary. Believe in yourself, your body and your baby - I actually kept repeating that as a little mantra to keep calm! Good luck!

 

[AF_Momma]

I had a small emotional breakdown last night lol It just hit me, he could come any day now and got really emotional and scared. I've done it before so I know I can do it again, it's just different and our lives are going to change so much I think I just got overwhelmed. I know you're scared and yes it is scary especially if it's your first time but everything will be fine and once you're holding that baby all of this is nothing but a memory

 

[Rhiannon137]

I think it's normal to be scared of anything new. This will be my first and (so far) I've managed not to let the fears get the best of me by thinking about it in a few different ways:

1. Our bodies were made to do this. Literally billions of women have gotten through it before, and many of them have chosen to do it multiple times.
2. No matter how bad it is, labor won't last forever.
3. We have little to no control over how labor will play out, so worrying too much in advance just wastes mental energy.
4. Even if something starts to go really wrong, there will medical professionals to provide whatever help might be necessary. We are fortunate to live in a time when it is truly a very rare tragedy that a full-term pregnancy doesn't end in a healthy mom and baby even if there are complications.

I'm way more scared about the part that comes afterwards - the part where someone hands me a newborn baby and sends me home to take care of it!

 

[emalou90]

I'd rather not watch it either.
Ignorance is bliss

 

[Red Rose]

OBEM scares me too. I honestly think birth is such a personal experience. You can never compare two pregnancies, let alone two pregnancies between different women.

I'm looking forward to experiencing it again. I am a little bit nervous and this comes in waves.

Step away from OBEM!

 

[Rel]

Iagree that OBEM is not likely to get over your fear, but it is very likely that what will happen to you will be different because we all live that moment differently.
Anyway, when the time comes, things are going to happen and you will do what you have to do. You will stop worrying about it because you will be too busy!!!
Good luck anyway!

 

[MissRhead]

I am absolutely terrified and this is my second lol! Im planning a homebirth and I feel alot better with that than the thought of going to hospital. Im finding though the more fed up I get the less anxious I am and the more I just want it to happen x

 

[smeather7]

its only 4 weeks away and im getting really frightened, i cant even watch one born every minute anymore.

does anyone else feel like this?

Do not be scared! This might sound crazy, but it is seriously so much fun! I loved the entire labor experience and am anxious to experience it again. It is scary because everything is so unknown, but you will do well. When I had my first, my first thought was, "I want to do that again!" But quickly remembered how long and painful pregnancy was.

I had the epidural though, so that helped a lot.

 

[darcie]

I'm really looking forward to it! Try not to worry a lot of the women you see on the TV are very dramatic and it makes good watching! It's normal to worry about labour! Is this your first? If so it's the unknown and all you hear is people saying how much it hurts and all these horror stories some people do have hard labours but others are very straight forward. Just try and think at the end of it you'll have your beautiful baby and it will all be worth it! Good luck x

 

[Mumtodogs]

I totally understand where you are coming from! It's the unknown. I'm sure you will cope just amazingly, and then you'll get your bubba to show for it after!!!

 

[donnarobinson]

I was so petrified to the point I'd be in tears over it due to a long hard labour and pph with my 1st but 2nd time was so much easier and I was induced ! 6 hours and pushed for 45 mins! Was calm and relaxed! If that labour had been my 1st I defo wouldn't of been scared x I swore blind I'd never have no more after my 1st and now have 2 ! So just goes to show 1. You forgt the pain and 2. There worth it x

 

[jenny82]

I've watched one episode of OBEM and I would never watch another one. Like a PP said, every labour is different and seeing one not go the way you would choose will just scare you more! I don't particularly agree with the way they showed the women in labour, but that may be just me.

I have loved my labours and I'm really excited about this one. There will be a baby at the end of it! Just keep thinking that one thought - each contraction is one contraction more to meet your baby, and it will keep you calm. Practise your breathing - look up some techniques if you don't know any - golden thread, 1-2-3 relax, practise your 'aaaaah' noises. They are invaluable imo

 

[tinyfootsteps]

The realisation that I have to give birth creeps up on me more and more every day. I'm trying to remain calm about it but it's only natural to be scared. As others have said, the unknown is scary!

Let's face it, worrying can't/won't change anything. Baby's got to come out! I just try to focus on the moment when I'm handed my baby and it'll all be worth it. x

 

[SillyMoo1983]

I'm also terrified of labour. I have been in labour before but when I got to 4-5cm I had an EMCS as baby was found to be breech. First time round I had planned a waterbirth with just gas and air. This time I'm going to be more open minded and see how it goes. If it hurts I'm going to ask for pain relief! I'm also nervous as I have to make sure my toddler is where she needs to be and make sure I get to the hospital. I think it's the unknown. I have no idea how my first birth would have panned out if she was head down. She was only 5lb so could have been nice and straightforward! I'm scared this baby will be bigger (he certainly feels bigger) and it's like giving birth for the first time IYKWIM?

 

[xdxxtx]

Not me, and I'll tell you what... Labor and delivery is such an exciting time for me. I laughed my way through both of my labors, had a great time joking around with my OH and sister... Laughed in between pushes as well. I control my pain just fine and divert my attention with these jokes and laughter. I highly recommend finding a way to focus your attention elsewhere... Like hypnobirthing and all of that. Check it out, I mean it. The people who have watched my birth video have thought I'm NUTS for cracking jokes and laughing at 10 cms dilated and while pushing. But, if I wasn't laughing, I'd be feeling a lot more pain and less joy, and I don't think that's what labor & delivery is about.

 

[BigLegEmma]

I'm excited. You can do it, every mum's done it. I'm reading lots about hypnobirthing and as long as I do things my way, I reckon it won't be as traumatic as it would be if I let someone else direct the experience.