Why am i so scared about going into labour?? Got 7 weeks to go and i'm terrified!!?

Answer 1

Relax...51% of the population do it...my grandmother did it 18 times...mind you she's dead now [and so are the 18 children]

Answer 2

You are scared about going into labour because you are intelligent and you do not like pain--this is all very normal particularly if this is your first baby. Be kind to yourself and accept the normality of your fears.
Pregnancy, labour, delivery , breast feeding and motherhood are very big time serious and FEAR IS NORMAL.
Your body has changed drastically in the past 7 months, so have your emotions and feelings. By the time you start labour, your body and hormones will have you in a more resilient state and your fear will decrease as you concentrate on the need 'to labour' this baby out into our world. What a responsibility!
If you wish to reduce your fear level ;
Read whatever and all you can find about the labour & birthing process, what your body does to help along the labour and reduce the pain and discomfort.
Discuss your fear with your doctor and health care givers.
List on paper as much as you can all the aspects of your fears, do this over a number of days as thoughts occur to you. This will help.
TALK to as many women as possible who have had babies in recent years.
Exercise and exercise as much as you are capable of, exercise is known to be an effective tool in reducing the stresses of pregnancy and labour. Walk at least an hour a day -does not have to be all at once. 2 -1/2 hour walks may be even better.
Reading, writing, assessing and accepting your fear as normal will do a lot to actually reduce your level of fear.
All of us afraid, some more then others, but you can and will work it out.

Answer 3

Most of us are worried about going into labour, so you are not alone in your fear. Try not to get stressed during the weeks ahead. Yes, labour is just that....labour! Some women are lucky enough to sail through a very quick labour, but unfortunately most suffer a bit longer! One thing for sure, once you see that darling little baby, all pain and anguish will disappear and soon be forgotten. It will all be so worthwhile. There are really good midwives that will help you with pain relief if you so choose. Enjoy your last few weeks of pregnancy, get plenty of rest, exercise and sleep. Look passed the labour and into the wonderful future you will soon have.

Answer 4

I wouldn't be that terrified. Woman have been having babies since the beginning of time. I was so scared before I went into labor but when I did. I felt like I knew exactly what I was doing. Your body and insticts will take over. I was scared but so excited. Some women make having a baby in to such a freak show. It really isn't all that bad. I enjoyed mine so much I would have babies for everyone. It is such a great experience. Good Luck and don't worry about it.

Answer 5

Well I've got 12 weeks to go before I have my first baby, and I'm terrified too!!!

I guess my fears are different to most women, I'm an emetophobic (have a phobia of vomiting) and I'm scared of being sick in labour (last time I was sick I went into shock), plus I hate hospitals and am prone to panic attacks so I'm really scared of having massive panic attacks in the hospital and not being able to come home (as home is my "safe" place when I feel panicky!).

If anything I'm more scared of these factors than the pain!

It also doesn't help when women who have already had children start on about "OMG you'll be screaming for drugs the pain is so bad I thought I was dying blah blah". I hate that. I doesn't help anyone. What first timers need is reassurance not negativity. And it doesn't make the women saying it look any bigger or more clever. It makes them look selfish and silly and immature.

I'm trying to tell myself that its entirely natural. Its not like being ill or injured where you're scared and in pain and you don't know whats wrong with you. I will know whats happening and know that its good and natural and it means my baby will soon be here. Its not supposed to be "negative" and the pain is actually constructive as its not the fruitless pain of illness or injury, its pain caused by your body giving birth to the dear little baby you've waited for so long!

Because of my fears my Consultant has advised I go to the hospital's birth centre rather than the hospital. Its smaller and more homely and you have plenty of midwives there to look after you, you're not tied down to a bed or surrounded by medical type machines, its all entirely natural.

You can use a pool, mattresses on the floor, birthing stool and ball, etc etc. If anything does go wrong they just whip you upstairs to the hospital ward. The only disadvantage is that you can't have an epidural in the Birth Centre - you have to go to the hospital ward for that and have a traditional bed-bound delivery (which I don't want if I can realistically avoid it unless something went wrong). The Birth Centre only does Gas and Air or Pethidine. But given that being in there might help me avoid getting massively panicky then I'm willing to try and forgo the epidural and get by with the Gas or the Pethidine - after all, plenty of women have their babies using those drugs (or no drugs at all) and they do OK.

I think I'll be much better in the Birth Centre because much of the panic factor associated with hospitals won't be there (even though its attached to the hospital so I'll be quite safe if anything went wrong).

The best thing to do is talk about your fears and NOT necessarily to other mothers because you never know when some silly woman is going to try to scare you with her stupid horror stories.

Instead, talk to your midwife - they are usually much more down to earth about births - having seen countless ones and can give you basic facts and reassure you that you'll be OK. Mine is really good and has put my mind at rest. She tells me not to listen to anyone's stories and if I have any concerns to ask her. So thats what I'm doing.

Answer 6

have you done an ante natal course? Try an NCT class - the support and information you get will help with these worries. Also make sure your midwife knows that you have these fears.

Alot of the anxiety pre labour is due to lack of understanding of the processes your body will go through - make sure you have a well thought out birth plan that covers all aspects - controlling your labour yourself will help with the anxiety.........you need to think about how you want your baby to be brought into this world - what things would you use to keep you calm and relaxed.......
It is never as bad as we expect - trust me I have recently been there!
the goal is to see your lovely little baby - keep focusing on that and you'll be fine.

Answer 7

Human is different than other animals because we have a large brain, yet a very tiny pelvis. Therefore, childbirth will be very difficult, and, sorry, painful for human, for the woman must extend their tiny pelvis for the huge brain of the baby to fit through (for other animals, it's just like "phoom, voila there's a baby")

Yes, every woman is scared. But I believe the doctor will guide you through the process. The main thing is: keep breathing or you'll pass out.

It will be painful. But it's all part of being a mom.

It won't be dangerous though, I don't think. If the doctor sense something's wrong, they'll perform a C section.

Good luck.

Answer 8

Please don't be. Every birth is different,some like my sister are in labour for minutes others take longer. No matter the experience when you are in it all you want is to work through it to the end. The moment that baby is out you won't have a care in the world and I can say that after a 26 hour labour. You'll be fine.

My mother had me, her first before they even got the trolley into the delivery room. It was over before she knew it.

Relax.

Answer 9

You're not alone. I'm having my first in about 5 weeks, and the thought of labour terrifies me. Friends who've had babies tell me that you forget about the pain as soon as the baby arrives. Not sure whether I believe them though. We had to watch a labour video at antenatal class last week and it really freaked me out.......surely there's a better way of doing it ?!?!
I hope everything goes well for you.....and me.

Answer 10

Most of us go through the same feeling the closer it gets to the time of delivery! Not only is the idea of the physical side but also the psychological side...... How are you going to react to your baby, will I love him/her as much as I'm told I would etc... When the moment comes, all those feelings go in an instant, to start with you'll be too busy wanting and doing everything you can to deliver the baby, and then the feeling of pure joy. Good luck, relax and I wish you the very best.

Answer 11

its the not knowing what is going to happen. if you have not been to prenatal classes then start going now. ask the midwife for details. the scariest thing for me was how would i get to the hospital. to deal with this make a plan and do some dummy runs. labour is like strong period pains. with both my kids while in the labour room i told my hubby that if he ever touched me again i would kill him. but you can believe me when i tell you that the minute you get that little bundle in your arms you will forget everything.