freaking about child birth...

so im only 10.5 weeks and im literally having nightmares already about childbrith... im a huge chicken and pass out at the sight of my own blood and if the pain is bad i also pass out... i skipped the L&D part of my nursing clinical because i was petrified of what i would see and was scared id pass out on one of those poor moms in labor. and the horror stories i hear about being cut and then all the stiches and the epi. running out!

how do you ease your fears?

Re: freaking about child birth...

I just dont think about it...

The baby has to come out somehow so to me there is no point in stressing.

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Re: freaking about child birth...

I have the same fears so I just stopped researching it altogether. I didn't take a class, I am not reading about it... I actually just learned what an episiotomy was the other day and I am due in 8 weeks.

This is VERY unlike me... I typically research things to death, but with this, the less I know, the better off I think I am!

Re: freaking about child birth...

try not to think of it too much.....just remember the most important thing............


they will give you good drugs!

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Re: freaking about child birth...

Posted by HelenZ

try not to think of it too much.....just remember the most important thing............


they will give you good drugs!

Re: freaking about child birth...

and i'd like to add that you wont be the first or the last woman to give birth. look how many people are walking the planet.
we'll survive ;)

{btw i get nervous too} epidural !!!!!!!!!!

Re: freaking about child birth...

I am having a homebirth and going naturally. I actually totally freaked out at my midwife appointment 2 weeks ago.........

It's normal to feel this way, especially about something that you have never experienced before. I know its really important to try and work through these feelings during your pregnancy because if you don't aknowledge them now you will face them when you go into labor MAGNIFIED!!!

I started surrounding myself with positive thoughts. I read positive birth stores, you can find some on here as well as m o t h e r i n g.com

I make sure I am aware fo everything that can happen and everythign I could potentially expect so that when I am actually experienceing these things I can say, "ok, this is normal" and not freak out.....

I write about it. I've actually posted a few positive "affirmations" around the house like "My body is built to do this and knows what to do"

"Childbrith is a normal process of life just like breathing"

"Yes, I may experience pain or discomfort but it is good pain and means my body is preparing to bring life into this world"



You have a ton of time to SLOWLY work through your fears.... READ READ READ . Immerse yourself in Positive thoughts and try to make yourself as knowledgeable about the process as possible....

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!! and will hlep to conquer fears...

And when all else fails and you are still freaking out, post here and we will comfort you and remind you that we are all in teh same boat together!!!

Re: freaking about child birth...

Posted by Blissful

I am having a homebirth and going naturally. I actually totally freaked out at my midwife appointment 2 weeks ago.........

It's normal to feel this way, especially about something that you have never experienced before. I know its really important to try and work through these feelings during your pregnancy because if you don't aknowledge them now you will face them when you go into labor MAGNIFIED!!!

I started surrounding myself with positive thoughts. I read positive birth stores, you can find some on here as well as m o t h e r i n g.com

I make sure I am aware fo everything that can happen and everythign I could potentially expect so that when I am actually experienceing these things I can say, "ok, this is normal" and not freak out.....

I write about it. I've actually posted a few positive "affirmations" around the house like "My body is built to do this and knows what to do"

"Childbrith is a normal process of life just like breathing"

"Yes, I may experience pain or discomfort but it is good pain and means my body is preparing to bring life into this world"



You have a ton of time to SLOWLY work through your fears.... READ READ READ . Immerse yourself in Positive thoughts and try to make yourself as knowledgeable about the process as possible....

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!! and will hlep to conquer fears...

And when all else fails and you are still freaking out, post here and we will comfort you and remind you that we are all in teh same boat together!!!

Re: freaking about child birth...

While child birth certainly isn't easy, many of us do it more than once! You will be okay!!!

Re: freaking about child birth...

Posted by Lucky

While child birth certainly isn't easy, many of us do it more than once! You will be okay!!!

Re: freaking about child birth...

How did I ease my fears? I opted for a Csection!!!! I'm a chicken and I don't care!!!! Numb me up, take him out, stitch me up. Done deal! No labor pains, no pushing, no moaning and groaning, no pooping on the table (goodness, thats gotta be one of the worst things)
Then give me drugs afterwards for my pains. I'm not saying it will be easy but at least I feel in control and kinda know what to expect better than having a vaginal birth. People think I'm nuts but its my body and no one has to live in my shoes or pays my bills!

But rest assured that millions of women do it and are just fine!!! When you get to the end you just want that baby out, you'll probably feel less apprehensive about the whole thing!
XOXOXO
BOTB

Re: freaking about child birth...

Just remember for thousands of years women have been pushing babies out -- your body was made to do this. Educate yourself about the birth process. I think it's scarier if you don't understand what is happening. Birth is truly a miracle and the more you learn about it, the more respect you will have for the incredible way your baby and your body work together. It's amazing.

As someone who has given birth without drugs I can assure you, you will be fine, you will live through this and you will most likely want to have another baby.

After I gave birth to my son I really thought to myself, "you know I just did that -- now, I can do anything." It gave me nerves of steel!

ETA: Just a note to the poster above who thinks pooping on the delivery table has to be "one of the worst thing" ummm, really that's no big deal and no one should have any anxiety about it. There's nothing wrong with moaning either, it's all part of the process.

Message edited 12/31/2008 8:47:19 AM.

Re: freaking about child birth...

I'm the biggest wimp on the face of the planet and used to pass out at the sight of needles and blood, right up until I got pregnant with DD.

But, then, I don't know whether it's the distraction of what's coming, or mommy instincts, but it just dissipated. I was TERRIFIED of the day I would go into labor, but when it happened, I was so preoccupied with the labor itself, getting through it and meeting my child for the first time, that all those worries just fled to the back of my mind. In fact, during my labor, it was the first time I EVER got an IV and didn't pass out!

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Honestly the last thing you will be thinking about that day is too much blood.

You will be begging to deliver the baby as quickly as possibly

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I am so nervous! I really am stressing about the birth even though it is alittle early.

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Message edited 12/31/2008 9:17:57 AM.

Re: freaking about child birth...

Don't worry about it. You have so much time to think about it you will drive yourself nuts!

Re: freaking about child birth...

I have been petrified of child birth for as long as I can remember.

I have to say that the more educated I become on actual labor & delivery, pain medications, etc., I am more accepting of it and am not AS scared. Whether I am getting info from recent new moms, childbirth classes or my docs-- it's not what it is depicted on TV-- especially with drugs, so don't buy into the propaganda.

I am still scared as sh!t, but I am confident I will be able to get through it and think at the end, well-- that wasn't as bad as I thought.

Message edited 12/31/2008 9:24:45 AM.

Re: freaking about child birth...

i was scared too but when it gets closer and you get more uncomfortable, you don't even care anymore - you just want that kid OUT!

I just kept telling myself - I really have no choice, I am going to have to go through it so no point in freaking out about it.

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Re: freaking about child birth...

And to add to all the above, if it was that horrible, there would be no new babies. I plan on getting an epi and just riding the wave. Its goingt o happen. Just cant stress it.

Re: freaking about child birth...

Posted by JennZ

And to add to all the above, if it was that horrible, there would be no new babies. I plan on getting an epi and just riding the wave. Its goingt o happen. Just cant stress it.

Re: freaking about child birth...

I reminded myself that million & millions of women have done this. If they could do it, I could too.

I am a completely baby when it comes to needles & was petrified of having a c-section.

When the time came, I knew what I needed to do. Your body takes over. You may want to sit down one second, crouch down the next. Your body tells you what it needs.

I think because I imagined it being so bad, I found it wasn't too bad at all. I did twice, both time without any pain medication.

Freaking out is a common reaction (even early on) but then again childbirth is even more common.