I am very scared about labor. I never thought I would be this worked up about it and everytime I see it on tv i start crying and saying that i dont want to do it. I know that sounds silly but I'm really scared. I was just curious how you guys might have done it and if you have more than one child what method worked best for you. I need help!! Thanks.
2006-11-29 09:40:54 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
First...I would not listen to anyones horrible labor story. Everyone is willing to tell you everything negative about their story, and nothing positive.
I am just a normal mom who does not have an opinion one way or another about Lamaze, all natural births, doulas, medication, etc. I just know the female body is made for this, and that our bodies know what to do.
I am not going to tell you it is not uncomfortable or sometimes painful. However it is only bad while you are in labor. The minute your baby is born, amazingly it is all forgotten... and is almost impossible to remember the pain.
My advice to you is, if you are not against medication, have an epidural. I would however suggest that you wait as long as you can to not slow down your dilation, but before you are 6-7 cm so you do not miss the opportunity to have one. Often times the Anesthesiologist is busy and does not make it to you in time. Let the nurses know that you are open to the idea, so they can keep track of the Anesthesiologist and his schedule.
Of course transition 7-9 cm is the hardest part of labor. For me, having the epidural made it more relaxing and easier to enjoy such a beautiful experience.
If you are against medication, I would suggest focusing on the task at hand. Remember that the pain is not going to go on forever. There is an end to it, and your body will get you through it.
One thing thr nurses will also remind you of, is when you are pushing....do not push with your face like your holding your breath, etc. Push like you are going poop (for lack of a better word). This will put the pressure in the correct place and make your pushing much more effective. I pushed for 40 mins with my first (which felt like 5 minutes) and 3 contractions (maybe 4 mins.) with my second.
Women have been having babies for centuries. You will be just fine! Congratulations!
2006-11-29 10:17:30 · answer #1 · answered by MarilynV 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had four natural and if this one does not end up being over 10lbs then I will deliver natural with this one too.
I had it easy all of my labors were not that long.
It will be hard but just try to remember to breath. If you need medication
or and epidural don't beat your self up about it,everyone has a different level of pain tolerance.
I am not going to tell you not to worry because I am sure we all did with our first. When you do go into labor you won't be worried any more you will just want to get that baby out! Good luck to you!
2006-11-29 10:32:53 · answer #2 · answered by safiyah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry! I've given birth twice. If it was so bad, do you think people would have more than 1 kid? Now, I'm not going to lie, it's not exactly a breeze in the park but when the time comes, you just do it. I was addicted to those birth stories on tv and they made me nervous too. Don't think about it. When you are in labor you'll realize it's going to be okay. Just relax and listen to the nurse and Dr on how to push. Push like you are going to the bathroom, otherwise you're not doing any good. Good luck!!
2006-11-29 09:51:48 · answer #3 · answered by Esther 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont be scared, Labor is different for everyone.My daughter has a 11 month old and she was scared to death, I live 2 hrs away from her and by the time I got to the hospital she already had her son she had the easiest labor and I was the same way with my 3 kids..I also had a friend who had her baby and came home the same night I couldent believe it.So you just never know.Just relax and things will go just fine Im sure.Like my mom always said if it was so bad do you think women would keep having more and more lol..Trust me its all worth it at the end..And just enjoy and take advantage of your hospital stay..Good Luck and congradulations..
2006-11-29 10:00:28 · answer #4 · answered by lynda p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well my water broke at 2 am and by 9 am i had a beautiful baby girl. by the time i got to the hospital i was fully dialed (i lived an hour away) so because it hurt like hell and i am a big weeny when it comes to pain i had an epidural and only pushed for a hour before i had her. and this was my first baby, so i cant really complain. and i was fine afterwords. a little tired but fine, so i hope this helps and good luck, but most of all don't stress about it. you will be fine and you will look back with amazement. :))
2006-11-29 10:50:30 · answer #5 · answered by blah blah blah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listening to a bunch of horror stories is not going to help you.When I was pregnant with my first son all my friends and family loved to tell me all about bad it was for them. I was so scared by the time I went into labor I actually had had a panic attack.So here's what I will tell you.It's gonna happen and you can't stop that but there are ways to manage the pain. I chose to have an epidural with both of my boys. Neither me or my boys suffered any ill effects. So my advise to you would be to calm down and talk to you Dr ahead of time about pain management and what you would like to do about it.
2006-11-29 10:05:31 · answer #6 · answered by blue_eyed_brat78 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I second the advice to read the Birthing from Within book. What helps is to be as prepared as possible. Read all you can about giving birth and take birthing classes.
I was scared too, but it is a really powerful experience and you'll feel so proud of yourself and your body for giving birth. You'll be fine! Honestly you will.
I gave brith 100% natural and it was totally fine. It hurt, I won't lie, but it was nothing that bad. I spent more stressful hours worrying about giving birth than I did stressing out during birth.
Trust yourself and trust your body.
Congratulations!
2006-11-29 10:09:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
know it's not silly to be scared it's natural.i was scared to.
my first one i was totally out.great but the recovery time was allot longer.the next two were natural.they do have meds that they give you to numb you.i am not gonna tell you it doesn't hurt because it does.just keep in mind DO NOT TRY AND FIGHT THE PAIN .RELAX AND BREATH.it feels like a bad cramp and allot of pressure.truthfully you won't (at least i didn't) remember
the pain.if watching it on tv upsets you then don't no sense in getting yourself all worked up. when it's all over you will say wow that was worth it when you see and hold your baby.good luck and you'll be fine.
2006-11-29 09:54:16 · answer #8 · answered by lynnepeterpan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just try and calm down. You are going through a very emotional time. I tried hypnobirth with my daughter and it all went out the window. Try not to pay attention to those births on TV they're way dramatized.
The most important thing to do is the hardest
RELAX
I only had one baby, but I was panicky and it made things go harder for me.
2006-11-29 09:44:59 · answer #9 · answered by Kat H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all...don't pay any attention to the people on tv...they are sooooo exaggerating! I was in labor for 4 hours and I did it with no epidural or anything...sure, it hurt...but I knew that it was gonna be over soon and that it wasn't gonna kill me...but ya know there are options like the epidural if you want one...don't let anyone else decide for you..but I would suggest keeping an open mind..maybe try doing it without and then if you feel like you can't then go for the epidural...no biggy..people do it all the time and there babies turn out just fine...there are people on here who will try to scare you with crazy epidural stories and stuff about how dangerous it is for your baby...but like I said- people do it all the time...Just relax...you'll do good...whatever decision whichever birthing option you choose...Congrats! and good luck!
2006-11-29 09:57:23 · answer #10 · answered by Amy B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Labor can be a scary thing, I have 2 boys and am 5 weeks with the 3rd. Have you talked to a midwife or a doula? They will ease your mind about labor. I had drug free deliveries with both my boys and I will do it for this one too. In fact the first one was a water birth! It helps to have soothing music in the background. Also practice with your husband how you will sit, stand, have him rub your back, if it annoys you now, chances are it will irritate you that much more in labor. Find out what works now and that will let you know how to handle things. I like having a hard nubby rubber ball massaged in the small of my back. It took my mind off of the pain and allowed me to focus more. HTH and Good luck!!
2006-11-29 09:47:18 · answer #11 · answered by Shayna B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋