scared of labor

[oklahomanygirl]

im extremely scared of labor..im scared if the epidural needle...it almost here 11 weeks left....im sooooo scared of the pain..any helpful tips to ease my mind.

[TishTash]

lol everyone is scared of the pain, dont feel bad. but many many women have done it so it can be done! I had both of my children naturally, one weighing 6lbs the other 9lbs. I found it easier when you DONT tense up like the contractions will make you feel like doing at the time. every time you feel one coming on, just relax every muscle and stay as limp as you can, just let it roll by. and take one at a time, dont think of the next one and the next one. When you stay calm and relax it allows the contractions to do their work better thus speeding your dialation and making labor go quicker! PS- the episiotamy is a good idea you might want to bring up to your doctor ahead of time, i ripped both times and a clean cut is easier to heal than a jagged rip. best of luck! just BREATH! ;)

[oklahomanygirl]

THANKS ALL U REALLY PUT ME AT EASE:) THANKS FOR THE ADVICE:)

[Michele, Katy, TX]

The enima thing depends on the hospital.   When I had my son and my 1st daughter they did it automatically.  With the next 3, it was an option.

[krissyy]

close enough!  my best friend had a 9lb also.  i've gained a lot of respect for her :-)
************************************** baby dust *********************************************************

[rachie204]

haha well he wasnt a full 10 lbs..9lb 4.8 oz.  :)  I actually cant wait to get pregnant so I can do it again. Best of luck to you all.

[krissyy]

rachie-thank you so much for your comment.  you are right--i am sure there is so much excitement that out weighs the discomfort.  a 10 lb baby!  oh my goodness!  you are my hero!!!!  

kstarr-i've also heard that you should avoid spicy food and eatting too much around due date.  i don't know anyone that has actually gone number 2 while in labor, but i know that it happens!  how embarassing!!!!  although, i am sure that the labor room doctors and nurses have seen it all!  ;-)

[njeosys]

I also loved being in labor. I looked forward to that day... Anyway, I did not make one peep when I was in labor or giving birth. No screaming, sweating, cussing, or anything like that. My MIL was in the room and she poked my husband and said, "Is she okay? Is she always this quiet?" I was just focused on getting my baby here. Try not to worry about the epidural needle as you're causing yourself undue anxiety and you have over two months left! Also, the contractions will take your mind off the needle. I didn't even feel it because I was so focused on the contractions. Focus on other things right now... the layette, nursery, breastfeeding/bottlefeeding, cleaning, etc. You're not going into labor tomorrow, so just relax. That's the best thing you can do for your baby!

[rachie204]

You are going to hate me for what I am about to tell you..but I am going to say it anyways.  I LOVED BEING IN LABOR!  I also LOVED being in the hospital.  I had it pretty good.  My contractions started at 1 min apart..Went straight to the hospital.  Got there at 7:00pm was already 8 cm.  Too late for an epidural.  Labor for 4 hours..my son was born at 11:07pm.  It isnt that bad.  It's not like you see in tv.  No screming none of that stuff.  Yes it hurts but it's noting you wont get trough.  Besides what are you going to do leave it in??? Lol.  The worst part is feeling the pressure and wanting to push but them telling you you cant.  It is just very aggrivating...like having to have a huge BM and no one letting you.  I was not scared about anything but the episiotomy having a 10 lb baby i had no choice.   I was told I wouldnt feel it.  Going natural and them cutting me I couldnt understand how that would be possible to not feel it..But they were right.  There is so much pressure you dont feel it.  I peed during labor.  Going number 2 is VERY common but it didnt happen to me.  If you have eaten alot that day they may give you an enema but try not to eat alot around your due date...they told me to try and not eat anything much at all on my due date so i dindt but most people dont go on theirs.  Oh and after you give birth it is sooo amazing..having your baby there and then everyone comes to see the baby(i  loved that part)  Just to warn you...even with no meds I felt like I was dreaming alot of it...

[Stargrlsarah]

You'll be so into the moment and experiencing a million emotions. You'll love it. And when you hold that baby nothing else matters

[irrelevance]

I've got a question to add to the labor discussion.. what about passing feces during labor? this worries me.. it would be so embarrassing... lol. how often does it happen? and can they give you an enema or something so that doesn't happen..?

[Jen415]

I was scared as well!! But it is truly nothing that can really be explained into words. as far as forgetting about the pain after you give birth...not true from my experience. But in my case, labor happend so fast there was no time for an epideral. So even with no pain meds, when I think back, it wasen't all that bad. You get through it and its totally worth it! Just remember to breathe and push as hard as you can. Good luck!!

[alaysha]

I'm due in 4 1/2 weeks and I'm freaking out as well... but from what I have heard from everyone (including the people on here) is that once you go into labor it just kinda stops being a concern since by then you just want the baby out! The epidural will basically numb you from feeling any pain everyone has told me that contractions sucked but once they got that it was so much easier and that all you really felt was pressure. But honestly I can relate since other than telling my doctor I want an epidural I've basically refused to speak about labor in general. :)

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I think we can all relate to this!!  Try not to worry.  I have 5 kids and always experience a little anxiety.  But the epidural is great.  It really doesn't hurt.  You just feel a small quick sting when they first put in.  But they put in some kind of numbing stuff so you just feel it for a split second.  It really just feels like pressure on your back.  Once that thing is in my back, I could be in labor for a week and not care!!  Ha! Ha!  I've had an epidural with 3 of mine and I much prefer it that way.  Good luck and just enjoy being pregnant.  Before you know it, your little one will be here.  Wait till you see him/her!!!  You'll forget all about all the anxiety.  Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing!!

[krissyy]

i'm not even pregnant yet and am experiencing anxiety.  thank you so much for asking this question!  i handle pain very well, but the epidural seems so scary, and natural birth, even scarier!  my mother said that after it was all said and done, you forget about the pain because you are filled with joy.  being a woman is a difficult, yet amazing thing!  we get to experience so much that men don't...i guess the miracles out weigh the pain.  hang in there girl!  i hope that you have a very smooth birth and enjoy the remaining 11 weeks of pregnancy!  do you know if it's a boy or girl?  

[mamaofonetrying42]

let me tell you....I was scared as well, but when you are there and in pain, you really dont think about the "pain"(which isnt bad at all) of the epidural. I got to hold on to my nurse the hold time. It was great...Not worried. its the best thing ever!!

[bryanarae]

Haha, I totally understand your fear. When I was pregnant with my son I could not stop worrying about labour, and the closer I got the worse my fear got. I actually ended up having anxiety attacks. But honestly, once I went into labour and started focusing on each minute rather than just the birth, and epidural, you begin to stop worrying. And when I got the epidural, it didn't really hurt at all. It feels more weird than it actually hurts, however, mine was not put in properly so it didn't work. BUt really, just try to enjoy the pregnancy. Don't worry about labour and all that stuff until it comes. Because by then, you will not be worrying about that! :-) I hope this helps. And quite frankly, there ain't no way around it, right?? lol