Fears

I am due in 2 weeks. I have so many fears about the labor/delivery/new mommy aspect. For the BTDT moms (and dads!), did any of your fears come true? If so, what have you done or will you do to combat them?

Re: Fears

Message edited 2/8/2007 3:04:54 PM.

Re: Fears

Sleep as much as you can now, I have sleep regret for not sleeping more before the baby can.

My bits of advice would be...accept help when its offered. If your mother or MIL says, let me watch the baby for an hour while you have a nap, TAKE IT. Also, get out of the house with the baby as soon as you can, to stores, for walks, anything to make you feel human again.

And finally, stop and smell the roses once in a while! Your baby will only be a teeny helpless creature for a little while, you will be tired, but its a fantastic time in you and your husbands life, it only lasts a few months (she says as her 7.5 month old hurtles around the room eating greeting cards and playing with a video cassette box) Stop and take it all in, enjoy!

The birth thing, pah, thats pants! Thats easy peasy lemon squeezy! You won't remember it the next day! Just ask for an epidural!!

Good Luck!!!

Re: Fears

I was anxious about labor and delivery because I couldnt plan it or control it. I actually didn't believe I was in labor when I was having the contractions at home and just kept doing what I was doing except with breaks for the contractions. Once I got to the hospital I had the epidurial and that had to be the scareist for me because I am not good with needles. The looked me in the eye and said if you unsure you can sit still and have any doubt that you cant do this your not getting it. Well I sat still as a statue durning the shakes and contractions just so I could get that epi and once I overcame that fear nothing bothered me. Everything will be ok and you are alot stronger than you actually think you are.

Re: Fears

Thank you all for the honest replies! Keep 'em coming ladies!

Message edited 8/29/2006 8:11:58 AM.

Re: Fears

i was so scared of the aftermath of childbirth, the pain of an episotomy, the bruising etc, i had thought i would heal within a couple weeks and that would be it and i would be back to normal.

I wasn't ready for the hormonal shifts, the crying, the baby blues, feelings of isolation, the pain of breastfeeding, and especially wasn't ready to come to terms with the weight i had gained. (I gained 50+ lbs)

My advice, rest now, take help when offered, let other people help, and rest when the baby rests. Get out with the baby ASAP! Even if it's just for a walk around the block. Also, my mistake was thinking childbirth wasn't such big deal, it does take some time for your body to bounce back, and even now at 4 months PP, i am beginning to feel like myself again, emotionally and physically. I def underestimated how traumatic childbirth and childbearing is to your body. I was wiped out for a good month or two. Dh and I slept on the couch for the first month with DD on our chest, it was the only way she would sleep!!

IF you are bf'ing, line up support now in the form of a LC or friend who had a successful bf'ing relationship.

Focus on the positives, you gave life to a beautiful child, and all the pain, emotions, believe me when that baby smiles at up you will be all washed away in that second. Staring in their eyes and knowing you and DH made this life will blow you away, it still does for us.

WIsh you a speedy and healthy delivery and recovery

Message edited 8/29/2006 10:17:27 AM.

Re: Fears

I was scared of the labor and pushing, and of post-baby, getting Post Partum Depression.

Well, contractions hurt! BUT it was really not bad after you get something for the pain. And the epidural didn't hurt at all, the pushing wasn't bad either.

Post-partum....the first 6-8 weeks is extremely hard. I didn't think I'd make it and thought I had PPD at first. Turns out it was just the 'normal' post partum baby blues, mixed with sleep deprivation. Surprisingly, you do get the hang of it...I never thought I would but I feel like a semi-pro now at almost 4 months.

One piece of advice...Don't be hard on yourself for not feeling 'happy' all the time! Sure, you have a new baby and it's wonderful...but you need to time to adjust and get to know each other, and it's TOUGH! I felt guilty for not feeling happy at the beginning, don't do that! It'll come with time!

Re: Fears

I was very scared before I gave birth. I cried so many times to my mother and my Dh because I was scared of the pain and the unknown. Just remember the pain is only temporary and that they have plenty of pain meds to make you feel better or nothing at all.

Message edited 8/29/2006 10:39:27 AM.

Re: Fears

Again, thank you all for your honest replies. I appreciate so much that you all are able to share this information. Although I really can't "know" what to expect, at least my eyes will be a little more open about this!