Anyone get increasingly nervous about the idea of childbirth since TTC?

We will be TTC this year (plan on going off my pill this winter/spring) but I feel like as the idea of pregnancy becomes more a reality, I have been getting SO scared by the idea of giving birth.

I've been admittedly lurking on the pregnancy boards and found out all the "details your mother never told you"... For instance... I never knew u had a catheter for NATURAL birth (obviously for a c-section) ........ And the pain factor.... ... Up until recently I just thought about being pregnant and going into labor as an abstract idea..... but now that it's becoming more REAL and we are planning to start trying soon, it's actually making me nervous already! I feel like I will be one of those people who obsess over EVERY LITTLE FEELING ....... Like, the kind of patient my OB will get notes for everyday that I called "again" wondering if a pinch I felt was normal... and I'll probably get some kind of nickname in the office like, "the psycho lady with all the questions called again!" I just know taht will be me.

Anyone else get more nervous about carrying a baby and labor, etc since TTC?

Re: Anyone get increasingly nervous about the idea of childbirth since TTC?

Well I have a son, so I went through labor, and with TTC again, I have a few worries but not really.

Just wanted to let you know though, that even if you do get a catheter, which I honestly can't remember if I got haha, that you are just soo excited to meet your little baby that ALOT of those fears go straight out the window.

I even had quite a bad tear, because DS shoulders were just wayy to big lol.. and Honestly I don't remember feeling a thing, and its not exactly that long ago, 6 months.

I just wanted to say we all have these worries, but don't stress yourself out to much about it, because no matter what that little baby makes it all worth while

Re: Anyone get increasingly nervous about the idea of childbirth since TTC?

I am not really fearing childbirth because I'd imagine by that time I would just want it out of me so badly they could do just about anything they want

Re: Anyone get increasingly nervous about the idea of childbirth since TTC?

Right before ttc I was getting more and more nervous about birth... and of course i wanted to see or know about anything birth related, so i watched a 'dummies' video about childbirth and i honestly started crying when they talked about forceps and the vacuum extractor! I was sooo worried...

Then I watched The Business of Being Born - it puts childbirth in a different light completely. I felt so much better after watching it, and seeing how birth could be... after watching that and doing a lot of reading and research, I think homebirth is probably right for me (when the time comes - we are still ttc). I know a lot of people are not comfortable with that idea, but even if you aren't, it is a good idea to see BOBB anyways, just to see birth in a different way.

Also, I know it's hard, but try not to listen to the 'bad' birthstories... focus on the 'good' ones. people like to tell of their difficult or horrible experiences in childbirth to try to scare you, and really, why?? you don't need to hear that right now! there is no need to add any more stress!

And even if you don't have the birth that you hope for, I have heard (as pp said) that you really don't even remember much of it anyways because you are just sooo ecstatic to meet your little one! although birth is something that you (or I) have never been through before, i dont think we need to worry so much about it.. it just means that your baby is ready to meet you chances are, things will go just fine.

I hope some of this helped; it is what makes me feel a little better about the idea of childbirth!

Re: Anyone get increasingly nervous about the idea of childbirth since TTC?

I think I'm more scared of pregnancy than child birth. I have severe back issues so I'm worried I'll be on bedrest at the end of pregnancy and possibly need surgery after I give birth. Because of my back issues I already know I have to have a C-section under general anesthesia. I'm ok with it now and know that at that point nothing will matter but meeting our little one.

Re: Anyone get increasingly nervous about the idea of childbirth since TTC?

I'm not nervous about the pregnancy part of it all. But the labor part definitely has me nervous and at times, squeemish.

You can't even mention the words episiotomy and tearing around me without me getting all sweaty and pale. LOL!!!!!!

Re: Anyone get increasingly nervous about the idea of childbirth since TTC?

I was petrified of labor before I got pregnant. I even spoke to my OB about an elective C-section. Then when i got pregnant I wanted nothing more than a vaginal delivery.

I am the biggest baby and I will tell you I've had dental procedures that were worse than childbirth. It really wasn't that bad at all, and as a PP said, at that point you just want the baby out of you!

My only advice is take the epidural once they offer it to you! That was my only mistake - thinking I could hold out a little longer!

Re: Anyone get increasingly nervous about the idea of childbirth since TTC?

Do not worry about a catheter!!! You get one if you have a vaginal birth, but only if you are getting the epi bc you obviously can't get up and walk to go to the bathroom. By the time you get the epi, you can't even feel the contractions, so there is no way you can feel the catheter!!!

I was worried about the same thing. The nurse said if you can't feel the pain, you can't feel the pain of this.

Re: Anyone get increasingly nervous about the idea of childbirth since TTC?

Thanks ladies!

I appreciated everyone's responses! I feel like at this point it IS silly to worry about the birth before I'm even pregnant!! But... I am mesmerized by all the info about it, especially on these boards. The overload of info started to freak me out! I handle pain like a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABY!!

At least you get something wonderful in the end!

Re: Anyone get increasingly nervous about the idea of childbirth since TTC?

Message edited 7/7/2009 12:07:55 PM.