talk to me (fear of birth)

[beautiful_mama]

this is SO dumb...I have done this 6 times now and I am totally psyching myself out in the WORST ways

I keep freaking out over *how much it will hurt*
what if it is a SUPER long labor and I can't hack it?

What if...something goes wrong *sigh*

I need to hear some positive affirmations here...(help) :

Anyone have any to share, any good websites on this kind of stuff? Anything...at all?

[leanbh]

i've got those creeping fears... as shel silverstein put it: the what ifs are crawling in my ear.

i'm so scared that something will happen to me or the baby. i mean, i know i've never done this before so it's natural to be afraid. i just keep trying to be positive and confident in my choice for the best care.

i'm still scared though. i'm trying to let them go, but i think i'll feel better once i'm actually in it all.

i don't know.

so i'm here.... taking notes along with you for those positive affirmations.....

[Adele_Mommy]

First the You and your baby will be fine!!

Next, have you read Birthing From Within? It is full of positive affirmations and activities for dealing with fears and doubts during pregnancy as well as lots of ideas for handling labor pain. It's great!

[echospiritwarrior]

Originally Posted by doulamom7

this is SO dumb...I have done this 6 times now and I am totally psyching myself out in the WORST ways

I keep freaking out over *how much it will hurt*
what if it is a SUPER long labor and I can't hack it?

What if...something goes wrong *sigh*

I need to hear some positive affirmations here...(help) :

Anyone have any to share, any good websites on this kind of stuff? Anything...at all?

Chris- I ordered a bunch a back issues of the compleat mother. I can't read enough birth stories right now, most of them are so inspiring... they have birth stories on their website.

I honestly am looking forward to labor! I'm crazy I know.

[allbrightmama]

I have been there too. For me it was a huge fear of death and leaving my children motherless and my husband partnerless. I sat down and wrote out letters to my sons about our relationships, who they are now and the future I envision spending with them. Somehow it helped me through.

Maybe you could write out all of your fears and then write out your ideal birth story?

I have had a few dreams about catching my baby and I like to replay them whenever I feel at all stressed about the birth. Could you meditate on the most blissful moments of your previous births?

Not sure if any of that is helpful. Hope you find a way through this before baby is here.

[lactivist]

I have been having some panicky feelings about birth but I just look back to my last birth and realize that I CAN handle it. I think the anticipation is always the worst as the pressure/energy builds it gets hard to handle. Once labor starts everything else fades away and I just go deep within and take it all as it comes. I always feel much worse before the birth but then once it starts I am confident and strong. You know you can do this and you will be great at it. You know you are strong enough to handle anything that comes your way. Your birth will be beautiful and peaceful.
Wendi

[IntuitiveJamie]

Last time I made notecards with all kinds of lovely sayings on them. I stuck them all over my house (since I was hb) and they were very inspiring. I meant to just have them up during labor, but since I kept thinking I was going into labor any second I ended up having them all over for two weeks pre labor and that was actually nice. THey said things like: Pray,
Be strong beautiful woman, I had a prayer written out on one, trust birth, talk to baby, Something about my uterus working perfectly.
My dh thought they were sooo cheesy and still makes fun of me for them (he's been asking when they are going back up this time lol). But they worked. Postive affirmations everywhere I looked was a nice thing. Try it!

[beautiful_mama]

thank you all of these ideas are beautiful and wonderful
I think the reading birth stories is an awesome idea, and I love the note cards.

Never read that book, but I'll have to see if I can get my hands on a copy

I need to prep my *birth space* too, I think some of my fear is stemming from feeling not quite ready.
I still need to string my beads...make my belly cast...hang it *lol*
All that jazz....