The thought of labor.....

has me scared out of my mind. I know I want Savannah here, but I had Nylah natural and it was the most painful thing I ever went through. It felt so rushed and I tore so bad (70 stiches) because I wanted her out I pushed only three times but really hard. I even hurt something in my lower back/butt area and could barely walk for two weeks after. I would like it to be more relaxed this time, meaning I WANT an epidural but thats not my decision if my body gets to far along. If I HAVE to do it natural does anyone who has been through natural child birth have any advice or techniques so I can calm myself down. So just wanted some encouraging words.

Thanks ladies!

No advice.... but you'll be in my thoughts! 

I was the same way....scared!   I wanted Cooper out, but didn't want to endure labor!

Turns out it wasn't as bad as I had thought.....especially after the epidural LOL. 

I hope you'll be telling us the same thing shortly!

Cindy

Sorry no advise but I just wanted to let you know I feel you anxiety!!!  C-section for me in a few days/weeks who the hell knows at this point.  Its the fear of the unknown.  We too shall get thru this!! 

Wishing you a quick and painless labor!!!

Carroll

I have had 4 natural and one c section. My easiest natural was my 4 year old and I used hypnobirthing with her. 25 minutes of labor. It isn't too late to practice it for a few days, I did self hypnosis.

The relaxation that worked the best for me was to only allow movement in my upper body. I gripped the headrest of the van and completely relaxed my lower body. Counting to 30 and knowing that when I got to 30 that it would ease up. I was yelling the numbers and the 911 operator kept asking my husband why I was counting. That made me really mad for some reason at the time. All you have to do is get through one contraction at a time. Don't look at the big picture and don't dread them or tense up. My longest labor was only 6 hours so I am lucky in that there isn't days of pain.

Thanks Jen, I am going to lie down and start practicing right now!

I did not go natural with either but I did use and so did my sister in law we used pictures of our kids as a focal point. That helped a lot to make both of us relax enough to make it a little easier. I hope it all goes fast and well for you!! Just remember to stay calm and relaxed for both you and baby!!

i went natural with jayson.... and he was out in 1 push... i was in the hosp at 706 and he was out at 707...and i will with this one.. god willing... the biggest thing that helped was getting in a position that was comfy for me... mind you.. i didnt know i was in labor and had next to no pain.. i had more pressure then anything else... i found squatting helped and rocking back and forth on your knees... and thinking about other stuff

I had the last two naturally and plan to do the same with this one if all works out. The last birth was the best because I had finally gotten to a place of trust with my body. I knew I could do it....in fact no one else  was going to  deliver this baby but me. I trusted that my body knew what to do and relied on the fact that women for thousands of years had done the same. I used the shower for a time with the hottes****er on my lower back (that is where my pain is most unbearable). Then I switched to a birthing ball which helped a lot. I think my contractions were doing more as I was in a semi-squatting position on the ball leaning over the edge of the hospital bed. It wasn't but about 45 minutes and Miabella was ready to make her debut. All in all it was not quite 2 hours from start to finish but I also go 42 weeks so my body was ready.  I think trouble can lie in forcing our bodies to do things on our schedules rather than when our body is ready. Remember always that you CAN do this, I had the mantra with each contraction "Let your body do it's work". Hokey I know, but it empowered me and afterwards I felt like I could accomplish anything.

No matter what way the baby is delivered, there's a certain amount of anxiety.  It's like I just blocked those thoughts completely until the last few weeks before Everett was going to arrive.  And then it suddenly occurred to me that Everett had to come out and I felt panic set in.  I think it's a normal part of the process, but sucks.  I can't relate to natural labor (3 c/s's), but I CAN tell you that I worried so much about this last c-section and it went remarkably well and relatively pain-free, with my fastest recovery yet.  I think it's easier the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time around because our bodies are sort of "conditioned".

Sorry I don't have any more encouraging things to say, but just know that you're not alone and as is usually the case, anticipation is worse than reality.

Hugs,