Petrified of giving birth!

kmate

Hello...
I had my little boy last september, he is my third child.

Had a bad experience in hosp with baby number 2, so also booked a home birth, managed to convince everyone around me that it was safe/good idea etc as family were all a bit nervous about the whole home-birth thing.....was actually quaking in my boots!!!

Had the pack delivered, very early labour started and midwife was called. She said it was too early to stay so she would call back in a few hours. Labour fizzled out and nothing much happened over the next day. The midwife eventually asked me to go to hospital just to have routine checks as was 14days overdue.

Anyway, I did what I was told, even though I really did not want to go in hospital, I was convinced they would keep me in.

Whilst I was there, labour started in earnest, and within 2hrs lovely little son was born.

My point to you is that out of the 3 birth experiences, the 3rd was the easiest, least painful, nicest nurses, most straightforward birth. I was familiar with the hospital so that was better - no more worrying about how to get breakfast/where are loos etc.
The nurses treated me with far more respect as I was "experienced" mother already.
I had no pain relief (there was no time) with the other two I had the works, and it really was fine, honest.

It will be ok.

And your new baby will be lovely.

Moonbeam

Hi Sarah

I know exactly how you feel. I was terrified when I found out I was pregnant with my second child (things didn't go so smoothly with the birth of my DS). I found out about something called Hypnobirthing where you learn to relax using self hypnosis. I know it sounds strange and you probably think I'm a bit of a natural earth loving hippy, but I swear I'm a normal woman with normal vices - drinking, partying, spending too much and an ex-smoker.

If you are worried why not contact a local hypnotist and ask if they can do a fear-release session with you to try and make you feel better.

https://www.hypnobirthing.co.uk has more information on it.

There are a few techniques you can use to try and help you relax.

First is breathing - when you are in labour just imagine your stomach is a big balloon and breathe in slowly, then out slowly pushing the breath down into your balloon and imagine you are blowing it up. That helps to get the oxygen to where you need it. You can practice before you go into labour.

I also agree with what another poster said - each surge just imagine that your baby is moving closer to you.

A final thing i would suggest is taking time out (if you can with 3 other children) to lie on your bed and listen to some relaxing music and focus on gentle breathing.

I have to say this all worked for me - when I was in labour with my daughter I managed to have a manicure, go out shopping (for some reason I just had to have a watering can), and go out for dinner before having her at 8.08pm.

Good luck honey - thinking of you