Help! I'm Freaked Out About Labor & Delivery

on January 7, 2009 at 12:12 PM

Giving birth is a miraculous thing -- but the thought of it can be downright frightening to some mamas, too. I'll admit I was pretty nervous about the idea of pushing out (or by any other means delivering) another human being.

First-time mom jacudra shared in Answers that she was scared about labor and delivery. Here's what moms said to offer encouragement.

"It honestly wasn't that bad -- you'll be fine!"

"No need to freak out -- it's going to happen either way, and you can get medication for the pain if you need it. Do some reading about it -- that will relieve some stress."

"Consider taking a birth class -- it will give you the facts about labor and help you know what to expect. Women have babies every day -- try not to worry!"

"Everyone experiences labor and delivery differently. What's painful for one person might not be for another. Just communicate with your doctors and tell them when it hurts. And once that baby is in your arms, you won't care about what you just went through."

"Get educated. Tour the hospital or wherever you will be giving birth, take a parenting class if you feel nervous about caring for a newborn. The scariest thing is the unknown. No one can really prepare you for what it feels like because it's different for everyone, but knowing what's going on with your body at each stage of labor can help you deal with the fear."

"Get the DRUGS!!!"

"Remember that our bodies are designed to give birth. If you're having a normal, healthy pregnancy, you will do just fine."

"It will hurt, but the pain has a beginning and an end."

"Once your due date approaches, you'll feel less afraid. That baby has to come out somehow, and you're going to want him/her out when the time comes."

"It's an experience unlike any other -- but not just in a painful, scary way. There is nothing that will compare to giving birth to your child, especially your first."

What good advice have you been given about labor and delivery?

Filed Under: 3rd trimester, labor & delivery

Comments (24)

Rileysmommy2005

on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:34 PM

I ACTUALLY ENJOYED GIVING BIRTH, AND IF YOU GET DRUGS THE LABOR PAINS DONT EVEN BOTHER YOU. I STILL SAY TO THIS DAY, THE WORST PART OF MY PREGNANCY WAS THE HEARTBURN!

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DeeGillette

on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:48 PM

The only good advice I was given about giving birth was "Get the Epidural!!!" I did and it worked for two hours and then no more until after he was born. I felt everything and it was painful but it was over very quickly. I was in active labor for 9 hours and he was stuck - he was face up and the cord was around his neck - so I had a C-Section. I did get to experience pushing and my friend took photos before the C-Section.

Daddysbrat08244

I had a good pregnancy, and labor and delivery was great i got meds but it was great

HippieMama912

on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:57 PM

Labor and delivery is painful and challenging, but it is also SO empowering. And once she was out, it didn't even hurt anymore. I was up walking around within an hour.

My best advice is to get as informed as possible. I was a lot more scared before my birthing class; once I knew what to expect, I felt much more ready.

Kay300

on Jan 7, 2009 at 1:02 PM

Don't be so scared...... Think about it, "if it was so Horendous".. how come women have several kids....--- I did make sure I had an epidural scheduled... and it didn't work that well, but you know, I was still glad I had it because... when they sew you up down there after a vaginal delivery... you don't feel any of it.... Its not that bad with the epidural.

eatatmoms

on Jan 7, 2009 at 1:29 PM

just remember that the female body was made to give birth. we are stretchy and powerful and eventually things go back to the way they were. labor pain is a different kind of pain. most pain means that you need help or that something is wrong but labor pain is different. it is the result of the uterus contracting which is the normal process of how to get the baby out. if you do yoga breathing (forget lamaze) where when you first feel the contraction coming on, you breathe in thru your nose and when the contraction peaks, you slowly breathe out thru your mouth while pushing out your belly button. concentrating on your breathing and the pushing out of your belly button takes a great deal of the pain away. i did that for my 2nd and 3rd birth and didn't need meds at all. i didn't know that breathing technique with my 1st so i wound up asking for an epidural at transition time. but remember, you and your body are strong and they know what to do.

hths, cathy

Lollicupkin

on Jan 7, 2009 at 1:34 PM

Just think about when you'll finally have that little bundle in your arms for the first time and the pain instantly wears off after you're all done.

first-one

on Jan 7, 2009 at 1:40 PM

Umm, I was with you too. I was soo scared that I was almost hysterical crying the morning I went in to be induced. However, with the epidural, I didn't feel a thing and I had to be told when to push. And some moms may not agree with that, but I swear that was the only way I made it through. I don't deal well with pain and the epidural was a life saver.

Here's a hint for after as well. IF they offer you an enima ( I know it's gross) but take it! I didn't have one and the drugs welled up in my system and I was beyond constipated to the point of impaction. Also, Tucks pads will be your new best friend. just some thought that I wish had been shared with me!!

bll1223

on Jan 7, 2009 at 1:47 PM

I had 5 sons, all natural, I guess you could say, all with the use of Lamaze and Demerol
I know it still hurts, but if you really have your Lamaze down pat and focus, breathe, I found which ever way works best for you, in other words don't feel pressured to breathe any other way than what makes you comfortable. If you want an epidural take it...don't feel guilty...enjoy the birth of your baby. Be a part of it. It's not an horrendous experience, don't let any one telly you otherwise, it's not not painful, yeah it hurts, but man, once you hear that baby cry, see that baby. whether it's baby 1 or baby 5....whether they are all boys or not....having a baby is a beautiful experience! And if you are able to have one easily and to have one healthy, as I was, than that is a gift from God. That's how I looked at it then, and I look at it now...and if you should look at it like that than maybe, just maybe you wouldn't be "Freaked" out about giving birth, but thrilled about bringing another child, a child shared by you and your husband, into this world.

sweetpea808

on Jan 7, 2009 at 2:06 PM

I'm 17, so I was really scared about labor and delivery. I wont candy-coat anything for you. The contractions hurt like hell but my hard labor didn't start till 11p.m and I started contractions at 3pm. Between 3pm and 11pm, they were absolutely nothing. By 11:30 I had the epidural and I didn't feel anything while delivering my daughter. I promise it's not as bad as you think.