Anyone else scared?

[Jellybeands]

I go up and down about how I feel about this birth. My first birth I was in labor for 32 hours and stuck at 3cm and being told I was not in labor and sent home with very consistent contractions stuck at 2 mins apart. I finally refused to leave and they admitted me and I caved from tiredness and pain and got an epidural and had my water broke and had her 5 hours later. My second labor I woke up in the same pain had two contractions at 20 minutes apart. Decided to get in the shower and went straight to 5 minutes apart called the midwife and went straight to the hospital to find I was 6cm and contracting every three minutes. (At my appt earlier that day I was only 1cm) I was so afraid because I was tensing up like I did with my first delivery that I would not progress and since it was so painful I immediately got an epidural and had her 2 hours later. Labored with second for a total of 4 hours. I have had in my head this whole time that since I labored so fast with my second I can stand this pain and have the natural water birth I have always wanted. If I knew my last delivery was going to happen so quickly I would have never got the epidural. Lately I go through these emotions of what if I can't? What if it hurts as bad as it has in the past? I am a wimp when it comes to pain, but I keep telling myself it is temporary and it is probably going to happen so much quicker this time than it did last time. I am also afraid since I am taking 5-W and epo that I might miss real signs of labor this time. Some have reported that it has helped minimize the pain which is why I am taking it in hopes that it won't be as painful so I can make it through. Now I worry I will start to labor and it won't be as painful and I will miss my opportunity to get to the hospital (45 minutes away) and have to deliver at home or in my van. I am completely fine with doing this at home DH is not and I think I know what I am doing as I am very passionate about birth, but I have know idea what I would do after the baby comes out. Placenta, cord, baby etc.... Is anyone else scared?

[seacat]

Raise of hand and :hugs:. With my first I labored for 24 hours of hard back labor at home and the doula pronounced we should head to the hospital. I was so tired and in so much pain that the hospital looked like an oasis. I got there and I was at 2 cm and crushed. I got in the tub and I gave it some more time and I called my husband in there crying and pleading for an epi. I got my epi and I was actually able to enjoy my labor. I labored for another 12 hours after the epi and DS was finally born the next evening (after dealing with repeated threats of a CS from the OB and having an internal version because he was OP). I did have quite a bit of hemoraging because I had been in labor so long. DS inhaled his first breath incorrectly and developed a lung condition that landed him in the NICU for a week. In the days following DS's birth my right thigh never regained feeling. I wound up severing the nerve during pushing as a result of the epi and not being able to feel the pain. The pain of the nerve regenerating and healing far outweighed the pain of childbirth.

For this one I am really committed to having this baby naturally because I still have residual nerve problems in my right thigh and because I want to avoid all of the side effects that interventions can cause. (My mother had a hysterectomy at 27 because of a botched CS and almost died.) However, my OB who was really relaxed last time is freaked out due to the size of the baby and frankly so am I. He's convinced it will be 10 lbs. My son was only 7.6. I know guessitmates are just that and the baby will probably arrive at a normal weight, but its difficult when you have a medical professional telling you that you are risking the life of you and your baby. My cousin also had a baby born with should distocia and of course I don't want that.

So yes I'm scared and then there is DS who is just 21 months and I want to do the right thing so I can be the healthiest for him.

[MrsJordan85]

I'm not scared, I'm excited for labor. I know that's a little strange- but I know there is an end to the pain, it is "pain with a purpose" and the reward at the end it so great. I have faith in my body and I just can't wait to start labor!

:hugs: mamas- we will all make it through and get to hold our sweeties soon!

[Ebeuchat]

I am scared for sure! My labors were not that bad/long before but I'm still psyching myself out this time. I'm really unsure of it all, but i can't wait to meet baby!

[angel0123]

If this was asked a few wks ago, i would have said no. Now its a def yes. I am scared this baby is big with a big head bc i have never cooked anything this long.

The unknown is always scary.

[seacat]

I'm not scared, I'm excited for labor. I know that's a little strange- but I know there is an end to the pain, it is "pain with a purpose" and the reward at the end it so great. I have faith in my body and I just can't wait to start labor!

:hugs: mamas- we will all make it through and get to hold our sweeties soon!

Maybe that's my real fear. Two under two. :giggle:

[littleangelmommy3775]

I am scared but for different reasons. I had hemmhoraghing after ds2 that required blood transfusions. I have been taking iron for months now and they tell me I am anemic and they also said that I am at a higher risk for hemmhoraghing again since it happened before. Hugs and prayers for everyone!!!

[Mercy24]

At this point I'm more scared that he won't decide to come out on his own. I'm terrified of hospitals so if I wind up having to get a transfer for an induction at 42 wks I know I won't take it well. I'm so looking forward to an all natural water birth at the center, I don't know what I'll do if I wind up with an induction.

[MrsJordan85]

At this point I'm more scared that he won't decide to come out on his own. I'm terrified of hospitals so if I wind up having to get a transfer for an induction at 42 wks I know I won't take it well. I'm so looking forward to an all natural water birth at the center, I don't know what I'll do if I wind up with an induction.

I guess this is my only concern as well. I don't want to be induced. DH and I are DTD as much as I can stand (at least every other day) and I am doing EPO, and trying to prepare my mind & body to start labor naturally. I was induced with DD, and I will have to be induced a couple days after Christmas with this one if he doesn't come out by then. I will be really bummed if that's the case.

[hilaryisinked]

I'm scared of another long miserable induction like I had with DD. And I'm terrified of a cord accident. It's all I can think about :(

[MinkaK]

I was scared of another baby with shoulder dystocia but was kinda excited about the actual labor and getting to hold and snuggle the newbie. Are you doing any classes or anything with natural childbirth? I did hypnobabies with my last two and loved it. while it wasn't pain free, it was definitely manageable.

[DrusL8y]

I totally know what you guys are going through and it's not too late to adopt Hypnobabies or some other relaxation techniques. I found that hypnobabies calmed these fears when I had DD and it gave me confidence. When you know what your body is doing instead of feeling that like things are just happening to you, you know how to "speak" to yourself and your body in way. Hard to explain! But you definitely can't just give in to the pressure and tense up! Also, don't expect the water to entirely help because it starts with you and your perspective first. Get your head in the game, only deal with one contraction at a time, stay focused on staying above the contraction not giving in to it, and you will have that baby in your arms in no time! This is coming from a mama who labored 2 days before agreeing to a csxn out of exhaustion (and a lazy medical team) having every drug that they could give me, not vbacing with DS2 because I was afraid of labor, and then having a vbac at home with a midwife using hypnobabies because in the state we were living in vbacs weren't allowed. So I totally know where you are! It's mental! You can do this and this is Mt Everest! I know you guys can do it because I climbed it and lived to tell about it! :hugs:

[DrusL8y]

I guess this is my only concern as well. I don't want to be induced. DH and I are DTD as much as I can stand (at least every other day) and I am doing EPO, and trying to prepare my mind & body to start labor naturally. I was induced with DD, and I will have to be induced a couple days after Christmas with this one if he doesn't come out by then. I will be really bummed if that's the case.

Remember that 42 weeks is convenient for the medical practice and all the insurance mumbo-jumbo! You won't be 58 weeks pregnant I promise! This is your body, do you research into births and babies after 42 weeks (real research as in real personal accounts and not the perspective of doctors), and keep dtd! :giggle2: You really don't have to get an induction if YOU don't want to. Trust your Mommy gut!

[ktmelody]

Not scared or worried about anything, but wanted to offer :hugs: for those that are.

[emilyrebekah]

I'm with the rest of you ladies, the I word scares the freak outta me.

[nevsmom06]

:hugs: to everyone. That induction word is in.tense. I'm with a PP who has hemorrhaged before, but mine was after an induction and the student midwife put traction on the cord :( all of that culminated in me making the decision to have our DS and this baby at home.

However for this time around, while I am 99% sure the traction on the cord caused me to hemorrhage with DD2 and I do still have that lingering "what if" doubt (although my midwife is certified and 100% ready and capable to handle the situation should it arise) I am actually really excited about labor. My DH asked me this exact question and all I could say was that you eventually reach a point of just being zen with the whole thing. Labor sounds more enticing than being PG anymore and the pain is welcomed because of the beautiful end result. Not sure if that all makes sense.

[laurenthomason3]

A few weeks ago I would have said no. Now, yes! Like a lot of you ladies being induces scares me and then just labor itself and the pain scares me because I just can't fathom what it's going to be like. How can I know how I'll handle it if I've never felt it before. And, selfishly, I've been feeling pretty good so I'm not ready to give that up for the pain and then the pain of recovery.

[Jelliebean]

I'm there too. I didn't have a terrible birth experience or anything (could have been better care though) but still....it was long and painful...very, very painful. Where I lived, they just didn't 'DO' epidurals or apparently pain medications (which I am now grateful for, but at the time, I would have done anything for some relief).

I'm worried that this baby is going to be huge. I'm worried about a cord incident or something. Quinten (DS) came into the world screaming and pink and wonderful and I'm just worried we won't be so lucky twice. :o And the fact that it's HERE. It could happen any minute...that's terrifying. It's gone much, MUCH too fast for me. I can remember each and every day at the end last time, seeming like an eternity. Now, 2 weeks have gone by in a flash and that's just insane.

Although I can't wait to not be in constant pain! That'll be nice!
And I can't wait to see this baby's FACE!

[TwinKristi]

Yeah I'm kinda scared. I try not to talk about it with dh because I start crying. LOL you would think having done it so many times I wouldn't be scared... But I am. It's the whole "out of my control" and "unknown" stuff that scares me. I have no idea how the induction will go or how much pain I'll be in or how big the baby will be... I want to avoid an epidural but will I be able to?

[cupcakedarling]

i'm so scared :( especially about tearing during childbirth ;o/

[angel0123]

i'm so scared :( especially about tearing during childbirth ;o/

This is my big fear..

[sylviaromm]

It's my first time, so I'm mostly excited. I'm actually an MD, so I've helped out with many births as a medical student, so I've seen a lot. It will be soooo different on the other side, though!

[Jellybeands]

i'm so scared :( especially about tearing during childbirth ;o/


Oh man if I do make it to the all natural birth I am planning I am afraid of the pain of the baby coming out. I don't know what to expect pain wise down there and what if I do tear... I was wondering if they could give me the pain killers they give you (ibuprofen??) right after birth when I hit 9cm so it won't hurt as much or the meds will kick in right while I am pushing to minimize the pain.