What should I expect during birth and delievery of my first child?

Question

I am 34 weeks (8 months) pregnant with my first child. During the early months I was ok, but as time nears...so do the fears! This was a planned pregnancy so I don't have fears such a being alone or nothing but of fears of the birth! What if something goes wrong or if I can't do it.? What if I dont make it to the hospital in time? Or how do I know if it is time or false? Can anyone help me with my fears? Is it easy or hard!

Answer 1

First of all, take a deep breath and relax. You can do it and you will be great! Nothing will go wrong, this is premother jitters every mother has them. Be Happy, this fears just mean that your maternal instincts are kicking in. The average length of labor for a first-time pregnancy is anywhere from 4 hours to 36 hours, I am sure this is plenty of time to get to a hospital. If it is a false alarm, you can know by walking for about twenty minutes, if the contractions subside or go away completely it is just Braxton Hicks (false), if the contractions get stronger or longer, then you get to the hospital. When you are there they will hook you up to a non-stress test which monitors your blood pressure, the contractions, and the baby heart rate. These are to belts that strap around the body snugly, not tight. I will not say that giving birth is easy, though it is not all that hard either. It is somewhere in the middle, active people who had exercised the majority of the pregnancy have an easier time than those who did not. Walking will help increase the labor process and lower the amount of hours in labor.

Congratulations! You will do fine, the baby will be fine, and the hospital is full of great pain relievers! (lol!)

Answer 2

Just Relax. Fears of labor are natural as u r near the delivery dates. I have two boys already and everytime near the delivery dates, i also have worries. But later on, u will find the worries unfounded. Usually labor pains will take a few hours, for 1st child will be longer, maybe as long as 12 hrs. So such thing as not able to make it to hospital is quite unlikely.
Signs of labor will include water bag leaking or "show" (bleed). Just contact your doctor when the time comes and everything will be alright.
Childbirth is not easy but it is not that hard either. Just think of seeing your baby very soon will pull you through the pain. In any case it u r unable to endure the pain, there are various pain relief options available.
Wish u smooth delivery!!

Answer 3

These are all normal fears but try and relax and enjoy the last months of your pregnancy. The best place to be is where you will be the hospital. If anything does go wrong they have everything there that is needed. It's not easy but if you have a good support team with you it will make it a lot easier. Just remember that at the end of it you will have a precious little baby that you will have forever. And remember that it is OK to have pain relief if you do need it. Good luck

Answer 4

I will tell you my honest experience. It's very, very tiring, and it hurts towards the end--like the last hour or so, but it's not really anywhere near as bad as people say--at least it wasn't for me. Go to Lamaze classes, practice all the breathing and relaxation techniques, and take good care of yourself. Don't gain too much weight, and get lots of sleep, and walk as much as you can each day. If you have a good doctor, and are in a hospital for the delivery, they will be able to handle an emergency. If needed, they'll do a C-section.
In my case, I started labor 26 hours before my son was born, but I wasn't in a lot of pain at all--it was more like pressure on my lower back most of the time. I never took any pain medication, or even had an epidural. And my son was so ALERT and able to look around right away. It was amazing. If you can really master the relaxation techniques, you will be able to handle it until transition starts. It gets a little crazy then, but that's usually the last hour before you start to push. Pushing is actually a relief! And if your doc knows what he or she is doing, you won't be ripped. Don't let people scare you! Good luck, and God bless you and your new baby!

Answer 5

I completely understand where you're coming from (as does every other woman who's ever given birth)... I just had my son 6 months ago and I was very frightened of labor because of all of the horrific stories that other women just LOVE to share! :o) I often wondered if they got some perverse pleasure in scaring the daylights out of helpless and terrified first timers?!

Labor and delivery are painful... but the pain (or 'sensation') is bearable. If you try to stay relaxed and just go with the flow (instead of tensing up and being afraid) then things aren't nearly as bad as you might imagine. Each contraction doesn't really last that long... so you CAN handle them if you take them ONE AT A TIME. They don't really get much worse than they are in the middle. I was terrified of "transition"... I thought things were going to get crazy... but they don't.

The best advice I was given was by my doula ~

** When you feel a contraction start to come on don't get frightened and tense up... take a deep breath at the beginning of it and ....

** Keep your mouth and jaw relaxed during a contraction. Don't scream or make high-pitched sounds as they make you feel tense. Instead, make gutteral sounds (low tones) like "Oooooo..." or "Uhmmmmm..."

** Standing up and moving around (walking) helps to speed things up (shorter labor hopefully). I walked around the halls of the hospital between monitoring.

** Stay hydrated.

** Rest when you can and need too... (listen to your body).

I could go on and on... but I won't. If you think of birth as a natural thing and yourself as a powerful woman... you will be surprised at what you can do. Millions of other women have done it before you... and you can do it too! Promise. You'll be fine.

Best wishes!

Answer 6

Childbirth feels like the worst cramps you have ever had in your life. Don't worry about things going wrong, your doctor will be with you. First children usually take a longer time, so don't worry about getting to the hospital. If your water breaks first, then that is the time to get to the hospital. If not, the cramping will begin slowly, like a lower back ache, and then continually progress. But, if you have cramps all day, believe me you will call the doctor to make sure that everything is ok. The experience will be frightening, because it is your first time, but remember that every woman, anywhere on this planet, (animals too - smile), get through this. You yourself are proof of that.

Answer 7

Have you taken a childbirth class?

Read any books on birth?

The Birth Book by Dr. Sears
The Birth Partner by Simkin
Birthing From Within by England (GREAT for dealing with the emotional side of birth and any fears)
Husband Coached Childbirth by Dr. Bradley

Considered hiring a doula to support you in labor? (Some hospitals will provide one for FREE if you just ask!)

Answer 8

I felt the excact same way. I was terrified too. Expect labor. You'll know it when you see it. It is alot of cramping on a timed basis. Sometimes your water will break, sometimes it won't. Mine didn't. No big deal really, you don't feel that if they have to do it for you. Hopefully your husband will be your coach and you could tell him your wishes. Mine was truly my advocate as he and my Dr. argued over how much meds to giver me. My husband knew what was going on and what I'm like. He won. Stay close to home from now on, have a direct route to the hospital, have your bag packed and don't go to the hospital until it is absolutely neccessary. You'll feel better at home instead of a hospital room. You'll be able to do it because I did it. I'm the biggest baby there is.

Answer 9

no one can tell you what to expect. You just have to try and stay calm and let nature take its course, remember women have been doing this for thousands of years and everyone gets through it. Just don't let the negative stories get to you, like its so painful etc etc. My two births were great, a little bit of pain, but once you feel the need to go to the toilet you know its time to push and the feeling of this wonderful little thing coming out of you is great. Just relax and enjoy it!

Answer 10

u'll make it to the hospital fine, u'll have at least a few hours from when your contractions start to when u have to actually be there. and believe me, u'll be able to do it. plus, that's y they have drugs isn't it? to help u? it won't be easy, but think about it...billions of people since the beginning of time have been giving birth with half the comforts u will have. it will definitely hurt like hell but u'll get through it fine and have a beautiful baby to show for it.
good luck :)