I'm scared of labor! Any advice or tips that may help?

Question

Im 18 and i just found out im pregnant with my very 1st baby! My fiance is 23 and were both happy and excited the only thing that worries me is giving birth? Does it really hurt bad?

Answer 1

It depends on how u take pain, to me honestly I didn't want to go through it ( why would anyone really want to don't u think) ne ways. my contractions were painful so I had an epidural done (with both my children) and I don't regret it one bit especially since they had to cut my thing with scissors so that my sons head could come out OK.. in my opinion it hurts but it's all on u really good luck girl!! and congrats

Answer 2

After you have been pregnant for 10 months you really will be ready to get your body back and to see your baby.

Labor is like a bad period. Transition hurts, but its not unbearable. Delivery is the worst pain ever, but it only lasts a couple minutes, literally like 30-120 second. Its not bad, besides at that point it feels good to push, so you're busy ith that. The painful part is when the head crowns until its out, the rest of the baby just slips right out.

The more relaxed you are the easier it is and the less it hurts.

Demerol is a horrible medication, you cant remember anything and you feel really wasted- you dont even feel like laboring or having a baby, you just want to sleep. Stadol is GREAT! helps you right along.

A spinal morphine is better than an epidural- its safer, you can get up and move with it (which helps labor progress) you can use it and still have any birth you want (ie water birth) and theres less risk of fetal distress than with an epidural.

Its really not that bad. I didnt get any hormone or anything after labor, I remember every second of my 2 day ordeal. Its really NOT that bad at all.

Answer 3

I agree with #1!!!! lol, just calm down. You have 9 months to prepare for this part and there are pain relievers they will give if asked for. I was 18 when I had my first...I was never scared of labor and to be honest with you, do not believe the bull you hear about labor being the most painful thing on earth...passing kidney stones is by far the worst!!!!!!! My labor lasted 6 hours and my daughter was out in 3 pushes...what hurt the most is the stiches from where I tore a tad which they give you heavy medication aftwards to take all the pain away (morphine when you need it!) I suppose it all depends on your pain threshhold. I always thought mine was high simply because I put myself through hours of tattooing. I was induced for my labor so I do not know what it feels liek to spontaneously have contractions, mine were forced. Good luck

Answer 4

It doesn't hurt near as bad as most ppl say it does. The contractions get pretty bad, but if you have heavy cramps during your period it's really not much worse than that. Don't worry about the risk of having to have an episiotomy, because even if you do, the skin is stretched so tight you barely feel it. As for pushing the baby's head and shoulders out, that would seem like the worst part, but usually by that time things are moving fast enough that the pain doesn't last very long. And by that point, you know it will be over soon. Good luck.

Answer 5

Don't be scared, EVERYONE has that fear when they are pregnant. It really is an after thought once you have that baby in your arms. I didn't get an epidural, and by the time I wanted one it was too late, then the doctor gave me Demerol which made me want to sleep and I didn't like the feeling of not being in control, so my advice would be epidural or nothing. If you have any concerns ask for it right away don't wait until you absolutely need it. But all of that is nothing like I said once you have that baby in your arms. Just a memory.

Answer 6

Well, I believe every first momma is scared because of the "unknown" and "stories" that have been told from one person to another (each delivery is different for each one).
Your feelings are totally normal, but PLEASE don't dwell on delivery pains right now. Concentrate on the next happy steps of hearing the heartbeat, seeing baby on the first sonagram, finding out if it's a boy or girl, and the flutters of it's first kick. Try looking at the good, and not the bad. Take the classes offered for delivery, and be positive. If you THINK it's gonna be bad, it will be. So don't put yourself in that position and pre-plan.

Answer 7

I spent a big part of my pregnancy being scared of the pain that would come with labor. Contractions are like your worste period cramps ever. And you will have many options to deal with the pain if you choose medication. Believe me , you'll want the baby out by the end so don't worry.

Answer 8

I was worried sick about labor too and then it turned out not to be so bad. I was in labor with my first one for over 14 hours, but I continued my lamaze breathing and focused on my fiance. He let me squeeze his hands during contractions and as far as pushing goes, my babies were out in under three pushes. I'm scared of needles and wanted to go the natural way so I didn't have any drugs except something they gave me to help me sleep with the first one since I went into labor so late at night and hadn't slept in over 24 hours. Go talk to a labor coach and find out what you think will work best for you and your partner-there are all kinds of techniques.

Answer 9

i was 18 when i found out about my first too, and i was scared too! it only got really scarey when i was about to start pushing, but it wasnt as bad as i thought, i kinda thought so much about how painful it was that i over estimated it, i did it all natural no drugs, just like i wanted to, now im 19 and 3 months pregnant with my second, but dont listen to everyone and wimp out and get an epidural, enless you really want to, natural birth is beautiful, i wanted to feel every bit of it, and i got to, remember the pain will go away, it only lasts for so long, so dont worry!
congrats and good luck!!!

Answer 10

Just try to relax. It hurts, yes, but with drugs it is not as bad. I was very nervous during my first pregnancy but all I tried to keep saying to myself was that it can't be that bad if women keep having them over and over again. When you hold that baby-you will see, it will be all worth it. It is a beautiful experience with pain and all. Good luck and enjoy this time in your life instead of worrying too much.