Nervous

[Vespertina]

Looks like we'll be having a baby soon. Within the next couple days. This will be our first homebirth, though we planned one with DS1. I'm not nervous about the contractions. I'm SOOO nervous about the amount of pressure during the pushing/crowning phase. Ugh. I've never pushed more than 3-4 times, which took maybe a couple minutes with DD1. With DD2 she came so rapidly that I just didn't have enough time to mentally or physically prepare for it. One minute I'm told she'll probably be here in about 45 minutes. I still had a cervical lip and she was just barely at 0 station with a contraction and I was 8 cm. I get up to head back in the shower and I feel her descend quickly, but her birth didn't feel imminent. Then within a matter of a couple minutes she was crowning and that ring of fire hurt. The only part of my labor that hurt. It was probably made worse by not being able to push when I had the strong urge to because they weren't prepped or ready yet. The whole two minutes felt like forever and the pressure was so intense. I also had a labial laceration. I tore up. Midwife said it was because she came so rapidly. Nothing had time to stretch.

Any of you ladies fear that part? If you've had a waterbirth did it help at all?

[erin_brycesmom]

First - how exciting that your will be having your baby soon .

Second - I think it's great that you are working through these feelings beforehand! I would encourage you not to fear a speedy descent. This may be easier said than done because you know your own personal experiences already. But I would say to let your mind at peace and tell yourself that you will give into your body whatever it may do. It doesn't matter if your MWs are prepped or ready. What do they really need? Tell yourself that it doesn't matter how ready they are or how ready you are or anything else. When that baby is coming out, just let your body lead the way and accept it with peace.

This is the highlight of birth IMO. Reach down and feel your baby's head descend into the palm of your own hand. There is nothing else in the world like it!!! I am so jealous that you will get to do this so soon!

I don't believe that women tear because births are too fast. Some women tear but not because birth was too fast. I believe that fighting the urge can increase the risk of tears, birthing in a non-body-led position increases the risk of tears.

My last baby (first homebirth) came fast. Shortly before my body began pushing, I reached inside to see if I could feel the baby's head and I reached up as far as I possibly could and could not feel it, lol. But once it overcame me, his head began to rapidly descend. From that moment, to his arrival was less than 4 minutes and he was pretty big, had a big head too and a nuchal arm, lol. There really was no time to be scared at that point. Yes there was some pain but not a lot. It was the best part of the birth. My dh and my attendants were standing back away from me and I birthed his head into my hand while kneeling in the water. No tears! I do think the water helped. I hope it helps to read a positive story .

I tore up with my first so I can relate to how crappy that is. I hope for you that you have no tearing or at least minimal tearing. No matter what happens, when you feel your baby descending...you will know that he/she will be in your arms in just moments and what better feeling in the world is there than that?!