[misssarah4304]

I don't know if BTDT mom's get anxiety about labor, but this FTM is starting to freak out about it. I know we've still got some time before our kiddos are due. I just like to rehearse various possibilities in my head and I am filled with all of the normal worries. Will she be born premature or just a little early, but healthy? Will she be late possbily making labor more difficult? How much will it hurt? Will I know when I go into labor or will I be one of those people that doesn't notice the contractions much until she's about to pop out? The list can go on and on.

I know labor is a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of event and that's part of what gives me anxiety about it. I am generally a flexible, easy going person, but throw pain, discomfort and/or nausea into the mix and it suddenly looks like my head is spinning and I cry hysterically over nothing. I've been told I have quite the pain tolerance, but labor is a different ball of wax from other episodes of pain.

[misssarah4304]

I don't know if BTDT mom's get anxiety about labor, but this FTM is starting to freak out about it. I know we've still got some time before our kiddos are due. I just like to rehearse various possibilities in my head and I am filled with all of the normal worries. Will she be born premature or just a little early, but healthy? Will she be late possbily making labor more difficult? How much will it hurt? Will I know when I go into labor or will I be one of those people that doesn't notice the contractions much until she's about to pop out? The list can go on and on.

I know labor is a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of event and that's part of what gives me anxiety about it. I am generally a flexible, easy going person, but throw pain, discomfort and/or nausea into the mix and it suddenly looks like my head is spinning and I cry hysterically over nothing. I've been told I have quite the pain tolerance, but labor is a different ball of wax from other episodes of pain.

[stringamphibean]

This is my 3rd and I stil have anxiety abou tit. And each labor (so far) has been different. With #1 my waers broke but I didn't start contracting so I had to be induced. With #2 I was having Contractions (you will know because not only do you feel it but you breahing becomes more labored) and was at 7cm within 2 hrs (ended up with a section though). With #3 who knows what will happen. Both my girls came early (38 & 37wks respectivly) and my Dr will not sched a c-section until 39wks so I will have to go through labor again even though I am having a c-section. You will do great. Our bodies are made for this.

[misssarah4304]

I feel like I probably will know when I go into labor, since I've already been having BH and they difinitely get my attention. My stomach muscles feel tight and it feel like I can't walk properly. I have a feeling I'll probably go early, maybe as early as mid May, because she's measuring so big and I'm petite to begin with. She's feeling pretty hearty. She's quite the kicker already and has been making my belly jump so much it looks like there's two in there wrestling.

[hlc8703]

Try not to let it worry you too much.  Each labor can be very different.  With both mine, my water broke first... I was at home.  I did not start to have contractions until I was in the hospital for some time.  My first labor was 11 hours from the time my water broke and 20 minutes of pushing, my second was 22 hours from my water breaking and 3 pushes.  I get anxious before each appointment and usually have some anxiety up until I'm holding my baby.  I know it is in my head, but I still worry.  Your body will know what to do though.  HUGS!

[misssarah4304]

I think once I go into labor I will probably be fine. I guess it really does just come down to the fact that if I can't really play out a full scenario in my head I feel like I'm not prepared. As long as I don't end up hopped on goofballs because of some unforeseen circumstances I know I'll probably be able to work with whatever happens.

If I end up heavily medicated for some reason all bets are off. The last time I was heavily medicated for something was when I had my wisdom teeth taken out and, although technically conscious, I slapped the dentists hand when he rinsed bone fragments out of one of the sockets. It was reflexive, I don't even remember thinking anything of slapping him until I heard the assistant say, "oh, apparently she doesn't like that." Needless to say a Dr is likley to be something at least as painful, if not more so, after giving birth but they'll be standing near and appendage that can do far more damage.