How to calm your labor fears

As your due date approaches you’re bound to feel excited about the prospect of holding your baby for the first time. But you’re also likely to feel nervous about the birth itself, especially if this is your first baby. And if you already have a child whose birth was complicated, the fear that history might repeat itself is likely to prey on your mind.

One of the best things you can do to assuage your fears is to find an OB-GYN or midwife who shares your philosophy when it comes to birth, and can help you draw up a birth plan of how you’d like your baby’s delivery to be. If you feel you and your healthcare provider don’t click, find another as far ahead of your due date as possible, so you can rest assured that your labor will take place under the care of someone who is in tune with your hopes and wishes.

Another good tactic is to arm yourself with the facts about labor and birth. Read up as much as you can about it and attend childbirth education classes, especially if this is your first baby. The tutor will explain the process and physiology of childbirth, which should help allay any fears you have over your physical ability to give birth. She’ll also explain what might happen if you do have any complications during your labor.

Here are gurgle’s top tips for soothing the most common labor fears and worries…

I’m afraid I won’t know I’m in labor

Fear not – women who don’t realize it’s the real thing until they feel the urge to push are few and far between. There are various signs that tell you you’re in early labor, including cramping pains across your lower back, and more intense Braxton Hicks contractions. If you’re at all suspicious you’re in labor, call your OB-GYN or midwife for advice. They’ll likely want to see you to make sure – and don’t feel embarrassed if it’s false alarm because that’s way better than hanging on so long that you get the urge to push in the car on the way to the hospital!

I’m panicking over the idea of an emergency birth

The fact is that labor and birth are a long process – typically 15 to 20 hours from first contraction to the moment of birth – with a first baby, making an emergency home birth extremely unlikely. So ignore those movies where the plucky pregnant heroine has to be whisked to hospital at the very first twinge. However, if this is a second or subsequent baby, your cervix will know exactly what it’s supposed to do and the process will usually happen faster, assuming your baby is in a good birth position. As a rule, whether it’s your first or a subsequent baby, as soon as contractions become regular you should make your way to the hospital or birthing center.

I’m worried my water will break at the store

Only about 10 percent of women’s water breaks before labor actually starts. For many women it happens when labor is well underway, and for some it happens just before the actual delivery. And just to reassure you further, if your water does break in a public place it won’t be the flood of epic precautions that you might have seen on TV and in the movies, because once it happens your baby’s head will move down and seal the exit of your uterus, slowing any flow to a trickle.

I’m convinced my doctor will be caught in traffic

Even if this does happen, console yourself with the thought that any labor and delivery ward is going to be staffed by umpteen professionals who know how to deliver a baby. You won’t be alone even if your doctor is late.

I’m terrified of the pain

We won’t lie to you: labor is painful, though if your pain threshold is high you might find it isn’t completely unbearable. There are tactics you can use to help you cope – breathing techniques, keeping up and active, and natural and/or narcotic pain relief. You also can find out about epidural anesthesia – ask your OB-GYN if the hospital where you are going to have your baby has 24-hour anesthesia, so you’ll be able to opt for an epidural at any time if the pain becomes too much to bear. The bottom line is that you don’t have to suffer the pain of labor if you don’t want to.

I’m scared at the thought of having an epidural

You may hear birth horror stories that include accounts of epidurals not working properly – for example, they may only numb one side of the body so that the pain of contractions is felt in the other side. This is a remote possibility but it’s very unlikely to happen to you because complications like this are so rare. Short-term side effects, such as a headache afterwards, are more common but they’re easily treated.

I’m nervous about pooping while I push

This is a possibility you’re bound to obsess over before the delivery but we can assure you that at the time you’re pushing it’ll be the very last thing on your mind. In any case your OB-GYN or midwife will have seen it all before and will actually view it as a positive sign that your baby is moving along the birth canal and all is going well.

I’m worried I might need a cesarean

Although the cesarean rate has increased and headlines imply it’s the birth method of choice for most women, you’re likely to view the prospect with trepidation as your due date nears. You might worry about the surgery itself, as well as the pain you might suffer in the aftermath and your ability to care for your baby if you do need one. Ask your OB-GYN to carefully explain the reasons why a cesarean might be necessary. You’ll only be presented with that option if it’s absolutely necessary for the safe delivery of your baby. If it does happen during your labor, make sure you’re absolutely clear as to why it’s being done. Common reasons include your baby being in an awkward position or your cervix not dilating far enough to allow for her passage out of the uterus.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

Related Articles

Last Modified: 29/03/2009

Send to a friend