Freaking out!!

[mgalej]

I'm almost 39 weeks and I'm totally freaking out about delivery. I'm trying not to panic but I'm a ftm and don't know what to expect. I started dilating last week and don't know how far I am this week they are gonna tell me when they will induce if I'm not dilated enough. I have waited my whole life for this precious gift but I'm still freaking out did any of you do this before delivery? Or am I being a wimp?

[chloegc1023]

Thanks for the update!  Labor isn't so bad when u have an epidural. Congratulations on ur bundle!

[AshleyKeene]

But I'd do it again next week don't stress yourself out. If your getting an epidural it will make it 10000x better. And the epidural doesn't Hurt just feels like a little bee sting if that.

[AshleyKeene]

I was the biggest wimp ever I had bad anxiety for months but when the time came contractions started up I went to the hospital and I was dialated a 3 completly thinned and got an epidural an hour later yes I got mine quick and I didn't feel s thing I slept threw most my labor and a few hours later it was time to push and it felt good to push for me every time I did it relived pain which was bearable. The only part that felt uncomftrable for me is when she actually came out and I had a big baby 8.6 pounds and I'm very tiny. Its the aftermath of giving birth I couldn't handle I was super swollen and it hurts so bad to pee and move for a few days . I just had my baby DEC 2

[shushu5]

Yeah I agree after being in labor for 4 days and only dilating to 5cm, a c-section with a turnaround time of an hour was looking better and better. But I'm glad I listened to my intuition and body and waited another 4 hours because that's when she came naturally. I have to agree the labor was a cinch compared to taking care of a little baby. This right now, is really the hard part. But it's all a learning process. I say just go with the flow and you will be alright.

[MillyVaz]

Same situation here. Scare of the unknown. I never had any surgery. I think the biggest mistake I did was watching youtube videos of women having babies. They were screaming, swearing and yelling that didn't help at all. I hear some women says oh its nothing get a epidural and you'll feel nothing. I would like to go natural too but if I can't handle or my baby is at risk I wouldn't hesistate to get C-section.

[Isthatyoubob]

I am also awaiting labour as a first time mum and find it a scary prospect.  It is hard to make decisions but our childhood educator gave us a way of helping which i hope will be useful for my husband and I.  
It's about asking clear questions and using your intuition too.
What does this involve? What are the risks and benefits? What if we do nothing/leave it for a bit before deciding?
Then using your intuition to say whether something is right for you once you have some information.

I am expecting I might need an epidural but if I don't then that's great.  

[chloegc1023]

Just know this, delivery is the easy part, and taking care of the baby once it's out is the hard part.  Have no fear, women have been having babies for ages and if u need an epidural, for heaven's sake get one!!  Otherwise ull learn that the delivery wasn't all that bad after all, especially if u got the epidural.  Just my two cents from a second time mom.  

[mgalej]

Thanks ladies for commenting back I'm ttrying not to stress or worry. I have great support as m the youngest of eight sibling who are impatiently waiting to love this baby girl and my husband well he's a man lol and don't know what to,downwind tell him I'm scared bless his heart

[shushu5]

Oh I forgot to mention, once the baby is out, it's over. You will be so hours you will forget everything and not even care. Unfortunately I did rip a little, and while they were sewing me up, I could feel the pain, but I didn't care because I was talking to my little one while she was staring at me. That's the best feeling in the world. It's scary but I know you can do it! Just take it step by step.

[shushu5]

Hi, I became a 1st time mom 2 weeks ago and it was scary! I went in for a routine non stress checkup at 38+2 days, and 4 days later of hard labor, I pushed my baby out despite doctors threats of c-section because I wouldnt dilate. My baby came when she wanted to. The whole ordeal was very scary because I didn't know what to expect. But now I know that everything you learn from classes goes down the drain. Because me nor my husband could remember diddly. But my strength stayed and helped me through. I was aware the whole time. True the pain was intense but I had epidural. I would recommend it, at least enough to take the edge off. However when I didn't dilate passed 5cm on 3rd day, my doula recommended I change positions. I was desperate to avoid a c-section. I let the epidural wear off as I moved around. Funny enough that's when the pain got extremely intense and I started yelling for the epidural but they told me it's the baby's head pushing and nothing can stop that pain. 5 contractions later I pushed her out. So what I'm telling you, is that it is scary. The most scary part for me was making certain decisions that I had no experience making. Like epi, no epi? Wait few more hours to see if baby will come or listen to doctors and get a c-section right away? Can you imagine that stress of making those decisions? So if you can focus your mind and make the right decisions for you at the right time, you will be ok.  it's only been 2 weeks and I'm planning my next one. So yes it's scary, but I know you can do it. Stay strong.

[wayfunmommy]

It's normal to be afraid of the unknown, especially when people feel the need to tell so many horror stories about it.
Remember this, fear and stress make pain worse.
Labor and delivery are not fun. It does hurt but it isn't that bad. I've don't it naturally twice. I've done it with an epidural the first two times. I prefer natural. The pain isn't nearly as bad as an assessed tooth or breaking my femur.  
Spend a bit of time today researching relaxation techniques for labor. They are useful no matter if you decide on a med free delivery or if you opt for the meds.  Relaxing helps things move along far more quickly. Stress and fear produce adrenaline. That can cause labor to delay, stall and even reverse.
When it comes time to push, remember to push slow and steady. Pushing too hard and too fast is what causes tearing.