Reassure me please

I need some reassurance. I am having a worrying time at the moment. I am really scared about having to give birth. I no that it is going to hurt but i am really scared that i won't be able to handle it. I am giving birth in a birthing centre so i won't have any drugs available (except gas) which is fine because i don't want them anyway.

Ok so what i really want to know is does it really hurt that much and for someone to just reassure me that your body is built to do this.

My partner has been really good as he knows how i am feeling about it at the moment but his words aren't working i think i need some words from ladies who have been through it.

You will be able to handle it. So long as you have a team of people that are there supporting you it will go fine.

Just a question thou, if the birthing centre doesn't have drugs what happens if you need an emergancy C section? I don't want to at all scare you but what if it happenes what do they do?

I felt the same way for a little while, but then I really began to trust in my body, it took a lot of thinking about ! I think a lot of the preparation I did helped, like massage, acupuncture etc, and then using similar techniques during early labour. I wanted to go to a birthing centre too, but didn't wind up being able to, and still got a natural water birth after about 13 hours of labour. Your body can and will do this, it was definitely designed to, and you will be fine ! Obviously you know too well that you can come here and vent anytime

Edited to add: Oh, and support is really important too, from the people who have been helping you through the pregnancy so far, and even your partner. Even if you're worried now and feel as if things aren't working, they will once you're in labour.

Edited by jax

Thanks Jax. I have my partner and my mum as my support people. I think having my mum there is making me feel a lot better because although i love my partner to death there are just some things that mums know better than anyone in the world.

Hey Linelle and Stevie,

Its normal to be a bit freaked at this close stage. The not knowing what to expect makes it nearly impossible to prepare yourself for.
Rest assured though, you will be able to handle it. Your midwife is there to make sure that you and baby are ok and that neither of you are distressed. She will make sure you're not getting too tired, and that you are managing the contractions. You can trust that she will reccomend something else if she thinks you need it.
It does hurt that much. It is without doubt the most painful thing I have experienced, but in saying that, I wasn't focussed on the pain. My midwife and Hubby kept reminding me that soon my baby would be here and that was my focus.
Hubby kept telling me "its just one day, we're going to have a lifetime with our little girl after this"
Thinking about her and finally meeting her helped a lot.
It is amazing what our bodies can do. 2 years on I look at Ella and am amazed that she came from me! (and that I recovered, and that I want to do it again!!)
I think about the day she arrived and it makes me so sentimental. It was just so worth the hours of labour to hold her after 9 months imagining that moment.
I'm sure it will be just as amazing and special for you guys too, however it happens. You will be fine

and remember everyone experiences things differently too. and even between different births and pregnancies things can be different. with Paris i didn't think it hurt that much.. wondered what everyone said about all the pain and all that.. I was like "hey that wasn't so bad".. but with Ayja, ow ow ow. and even leading up to having Ayja i was scared again, cos i knew things could be different.
The one thing i like to advise.. do not go into it scared, fear makes you tense up and makes pain worse.. go with your body and breathe it all out (i think Jax has mentioned doing that oo, and i know i have many times before as well).
You will both be fine, just when you get to that stage where you think you can't handle it any more(trust me we all get to that stage).. along comes baby.

Yup, breathing pain away is highly underrated I think ! I found that vocalising (not screaming, just making some sort of noise) helped too - since it helps you breathe for longer.

YOU'LL BE FINE HONEY!!!! I think we were probably all freaked out before giving birth (I know I was!!!) but once I was in actual labour I just let go and relaxed and listened to my body and had a fantastic birth!! Hugs! I know what you are feeling!

Haha Becca- I wonder if it's going to happen like that for me??? Hope not- I don't want to be too noisy.
And CaraMel- what your hubby said to you about its only one day and you'll have a daughter for the rest of your life- thats really got me inspired now. That's a great way of looking at it.
I don't think I could concentrate on the breathing thing to much- and our antenatal classes dont do breathing techniques with us- they say we learnt to breathe at birth and we'll cope. Damn well hope so. And thinking that its only one day is a good thing to. And its sooo true!
There's no birthing centres around here... just a really small country hospital and they don't do epi's or c-sects either. If I need any of them options, they have to transport me 2 hours south to Mackay in a hospital. Bugger! But I'm sure I'll be fine.
But just thinking of things over and over again freaks me out, like what if this happens or what if??? sorta things.
We're in the same boat Linelle! We can do it together.

I was in labour for 48 hours and 30+ hours with out any pain killers.....It was damn painful but I came thru it fine (tho I ended up with a C Section).

Dont be scared, just think...the pain is only till the baby comes out and then its gone and you have a beautiful baby in your arms....its all worth it.

And like every one have said, every one is different...you might have a quick, painless labour.

And I ditto the support thing, have people who could support you thru it and you guys will be fine.