Scared about birth - even puttng ttc off!

Hmmm I actually found "comfort" of sorts reading about other peoples labour experiences....especially the onset (as I had no idea what to expect).

I agree with DJ - don't read other stories or watch u-tube videos, they may just make you even more nervous.

OK - I possibly can't talk cos I haven't been through it yet, but I do know I was just as terrified as you. My 'friends' would tell me their stories and I would go deathly pale and weak, to the point of almost fainting, and feel so sick I couldn't eat for hours afterwards.

Once I was pregnant, I decided that I needed to read the birth stories thread on here, and watch some live births on u-tube. BIG mistake. If I thought I was ill and freaking out before...!!
So I now don't listen or watch horror movies *lol*
But then one friend heard I was having a hard time and contacted me to tell me she'd done the same and ignored everyone and she'd signed up for a hypnobirthing course. She said the education you get there about what your body is supposed to do, and how to deal with it every step of the way is amazing. She had an amazing birth, 17 hour labour with no pain relief (ok not sure that part would be good for me) but she loved it.

I am so convinced by her story that I am going to look into it myself. And although I still feel a bit nervous about the birth, I know I will find a way that suits me, that I will be comfortable with, and that I will be able to handle it.



Edited by Spirals

When I first talked to my midwife about labour I asked whether there was any way I could have an elective C-section as I was so terrified of the idea of giving birth. You can't have one on the Coast, have to go to Christchurch.

Luckily for me, someone in our local Active Birth group asked me to come along to their monthly coffee group when I was in my first trimester. Best thing that could have happened to me. They suggested I read "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" which I did, and it's the only book I ended up reading during pregnancy. I believe that book and my wonderful midwife (who was an independent one, not a hospital one) are the reasons why I had a great birth experience: natural, drug free and only a little painful .

I know how you feel, I was totally freaked out at the thought of giving birth, It made me feel sick when I thought about it!

But my midwife was great at easing my mind, and also you have SOO much help these days and you know you are in good hands.

My birth was really traumatic for me(I wont tell you the details lol!) but I would do it all again in a heartbeat cos when I look at my little boy I know it was worth it

Thanks guys I really do appreciate everyones honesty and words.

I do think I should just take the plunge as I think Im working myself up and up and up!

Its things like being naked down there etc that really freak me out - I know it sounds dumb, but yeah I just cant cope with that sort of stuff.

Birth is something that scared the hell out of me as well - and still does (am considering avoiding antenatal classes for this exact reason - what I don't know won't give me a heart attack), BUT I saw my SIL briefly while she was in labour with my niece (not during the actual birthy bit though) and seeing how strong she was, and the strength she was able to harness makes me feel quite confident that I'll be fine ... even though I'm a wuss

A friend of mine said something to me that I remember well - it's only a day (more or less!). That's not much. Plus the amnesia thing is quite true for unpleasant stuff - I'm aghast at how fuzzy my memories of the nastier parts of IVF are. I thought they'd be burned into my memory, moment by moment forever. Not so.