Scared about giving birth. Any advice?

edited February 2011 in Pregnant
My due date is Valentine's day and, giving birth is just right around the corner. I'm honestly scared. I'm only 17 and, would love some advice from some experienced mother's. I'd highly appreciate it.

Comments

  • I was 19 with my first and my advice is get an epidural! U can't feel the pain and it takes the edge off being freaked out. Also from what my ob told me being younger is actually easier giving birth so hey that's a plus! Its a new experience, go with it, BREATHE, and in the end...there's this adorable lil baby calling you momma! Ice cream never hurt either. Lol!
  • Get as much sleep and rest as you can NOW. Don't wait because you will need all the energy and strength for delivery and then to care for your baby. When I had my son my water broke before I was actually in labor. They told me to go and walk as much as I can to try and get my body to induce the labor. So I did just that. I ate spicy Mexican food and walked around town with my husband. After walking all day I went back to check in with the hospital as directed at 6pm and labor still was not started! So they admitted me and told me to walk around the hospital. So I did. They ended up having to induce labor and I was so exhausted that it was hard to work through the pain anymore. I got an epidural and then hours later he was finally born. I was so close to not being able to push because I was then so exhausted from walking all day! Won't do that again this time! Now I know how important rest and sleep are before birthing. You will need strength as you go through the adjustment of having a new life to take care of.

    What are you the most afraid of? Perhaps I have some insight to help you with that. I'm here to support you if you would like. Good luck!
  • Try not to worry about it. There are the pelvic exercises you can do to try and prepare your body for the stretch but to be honest, everyone is different. A lot of people say that once they are in established labour, the time flies, so try not to think that it'll take forever. It's very common not to really remember the pain as such afterwards, but you'll have fun trying to explain it. Just think that there is an end to it, which will be your baby - the whole point of being pregnant! I was 15 when I had my first, and it was a sudden labour at home, so be prepared for anything! Oh, and make sure you have someone who really want as your birthing partner, who won't mind seeing you looking a bit silly and scruffy - you're giving birth to new life after all! Good luck with your labour whenever it happens and keep us updated! :)
  • My labour was fab, I was induced with first and the baby was back to back so I took all the pain killers they had but second was great, no pain relief and over on no time x honestly its ok, otherwise women would only have 1. Go with it, its all a part of nature x x x
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  • That's quite funny Mama Kat, I had to keep going pee at first, but my contractions weren't that bad, so I was on the toilet and suddenly, I felt extreme pressure and I saw the sac coming out! Next thing I know, it broke and my son's head was coming. I couldn't get up with all the pressure so I had to wait til he was out then I scooped him out! It was so bizarre! Amazingly, my partner slept through the whole thing even though I was screaming his name in shock, and his mother had to comfort me til the paramedics arrived - he only woke up since they wanted his blankets to wrap me and my son in! LOL. :)
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  • @Mama_Kat I nearly did! He's lucky I can laugh about it, but I said he wouldn't have any man parts left if he pulled that stunt this time LOL.
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  • Im 21 and deathly afraid of giving birth and of the epidural. Im due in may so I have plenty of time to prepare but im doing home water birth and I know 100% that its going to be the best thing for me.
  • Thanks everyone. I'm scared of the pain but, I'm gonna do my best to relax. I have everything ready in case I need to go to the hospital. I have bad pressure on my pelvis and, squats help ease the pain. I plan to get the epidural but, I would like to go natural. My husband is always the one saying "do yu need to go to the hospital?" Everytime I start hurting. I'm just ready to have her. I'm starting to get insanely impatient lol. All this advice is very helpful. Thanks so much.
  • @Rachelmt
    That's what I wanted to do but, I decided I wanted the meds lol.
  • The best advice I got was to keep in mind that it's "pain with a purpose"... its not a cut, or a burn or a car accident... it's bringing your beautiful new baby into the world, who you've waited many long monthes to meet! Just keep repeating this to yourself & be open to an epidural should you find you need one & don't beat yourself up over it if you do!... it will absolutely be worth it in the end!!!
  • I definitely will keep that in mind. Thanks.
  • My main advice is to keep in mind that everyone is different. It won't necessarily go how the books, your lamaze instructor, or even your doctors say. I "accidentally" did my whole labor at home and was fully dilated and ready to start pushing once I got to the hospital. Don't assume it's going to be as long and painful as the world makes it seem. When it comes to pain management, do whatever you need to do. Nothing wrong with getting an epidural. Remember that women have babies everyday and live to tell about it...they even decide to do it again most times! :)
  • i gave birht to my daughter at 16 . me arnd i didnt hurt at all ofcourse i had epidural but it (tmi) it felt like i had to take a nice SHITTT lol ahhhhh so think of it as u got on of those good poops get a magazine n LET IT OUTT :-D
  • Dont Think into it too much. Bring stuff to do, and try to sleep. Epidurals dont hurt, and it takes away the worst part, contractions. Just enjoy getting taken care of
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