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9442948 tn?1406816451

to those frightened by labor

I posted this in another forum and it seemed to help a lot of people so I'll post it here also


I posted this as a comment earlier and it seemed to help a few people so i want to post this to share with every one.

I read this on babycenter.com and it helped me a lot in the beginning when i felt like i wouldn't make it through labor when it came time

I am 5'2 with a small frame and had an 8lb 6 oz 23 inch baby with NO painkillers. I had a certified nurse midwife, a doula and gave birth in a hospital. Do not be afraid of childbirth. I was so upset at the thought of the pain of labor and delivery during my pregnancy that sometimes I would cry inconsolably. When you go into labor it starts out feeling like you are having diarrhea/menstrual cramps. All I could picture at the beginning was a triangle coming out of my stomach. The ache would start at my sides and come to an apex at the front. It gradually progresses to intense feelings in your uterus like something is being tightened around it mixed with severe diarrhea/menstrual cramp pain. Yes contractions get extremely uncomfortable, but if you can keep control of your breathing, let yourself make whatever sounds/exhalations feel natural to you and close your eyes and let yourself go into a very internal place you will be fine. I promise. The hard part for me was pushing, which lasted 3 hours and was very hard work and tiring. I had my baby after 18hours total of labor/pushing and made it to 9cm at home with nothing for pain relief and no painkillers/drugs at the hospital. It is so important to remember these things: 1. Breathe as best you can; do not allow yourself to get frantic. 2. The pain and uncomfortable-ness of labor stops as soon as your baby is out. 3. This is the only pain that I know of that has a positive outcome. Stay focused on the fact that in a matter of a few hours, you get to meet the beautiful child that you have had in you for the past 9 months. I was never a child person, I did not babysit or anything. As soon as I met my little girl, I was in love. And I was in complete shock that I had made it through everything alive, with no stitches or tears and no drugs. Childbirth is a total (pardon my language) mindf!!k but it is so real and so amazing that yes most women do forget after a couple of weeks the pains during the throes of labor and want to do it again. Women all over the world do this everyday in much less sterile places and with no support. Just remember, your body knows how to do this whether or not you think it does. It is such a primal thing and it happens to almost all of us. Remain positive and try to think about how every minute that passes is that much closer to your baby being in your arms.

posted 03/06/2007 by crashingforward
10 Responses
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Avatar universal
I could not have said it better my self..ok maybe I could seeing as I have done it enough to be comfortable with a home birth...lol . But is was described great.... nothing to fear because your body does mostof the work, trust me your body knows what to and as long as you don't fight it your body will guide you. Also doing it natural gives you a stronger bond with baby... child birth hurts because somehow the pain of having the baby makes the love and bond stronger. I had my first natural. The next three was Epidural. And my last was natural.  I know it sound horrible but the ones I had natural I have a bond and love that I don't have with the others. Don't get me wrong I love all my children but with the ones I had an Epidural with it it is like there is somthing missing. My advise is if you are able go natural, the pain will make you think you need pain meds but you don't .  If complications come up and you have to have pain meds don't feel bad because you have to do. What is best for you and baby... good luck with births no matter what you choose...
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Avatar universal
So very true. I'm 5'5 with a very tiny frame and had my 8 pound 3 oz and 21 inch baby last week. I had been so terrified of labor, but as soon as he was out I all but forgot about the pain. It became fuzzy and the 9 hours of active labor seemed to fade and become a distant memory. I can honestly say the wholeexperience was beautiful, and my son was ddefinitely worth it. There's nothing to be scared of at all :)
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8216878 tn?1403882912
I was terrified myself I had him last fri. It was not nearly as bad as I feared. I had an epideral and really didnt feel anything. I had some complications so they got him out fast (used a vacuum) so I tore really bad other than that it wasnt bad and it hasnt been unbearable pain. Im still healing but w meds its not bad. I was induced and only in labor a few hours I pushed less than an hour lol not as bad as I feared. And the corny cliche it was so worth it hes so precious and my bf and I couldn't love him anymore lol. Goodluck ladies and dont be scared!  I was so terrified when she told me I needed to be induced...bc of my blood pressure. Once you hold your precious bundle your heart will melt.
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Avatar universal
Thank you that makes me feel a lot better im a ftm 5 weeks till due date...
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Avatar universal
Very much appreciated!
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Avatar universal
Yes thank you. Im only 5 wks but I was starting to get anxious a little. Being a ftm is a little overwhelming. I just cant wait to meet my baby
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for posting this I  am a ftm and I am a little scared of labor I am going to take what you have to say and use it during my labor.  
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Avatar universal
thank you for posting this i have been terrified. im 31 weeks and super tiny.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for posting this! I am a ftm and close to delivery. It helps hearing positive things like this :)
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Avatar universal
Bump... That's really good for ftms and those who have done it before
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