a little support?

[notaperfectmom]

I know this is a pretty common theme.....but....I just need some general moral support for my upcoming homebirth

I LOVE my midwives, they instill so much confidence. I'm sure I want to do this. I don't have any specific fears. I think I have found a really wonderful doula. Everything is going great with my pregnancy - 5 weeks to go and not a swollen ankle in sight . This will be a HBAC but I'm comfortable with that too. My husband is supportive...so my family. We haven't told a lot of people apart from that. I just don't think its anyone elses business to be honest.

So...why am I waking up with little panic attacks in the middle of the night? I have had anxiety issues before so I know middle of the night anxiety when it rears its head, and this is not serious...but it IS persistent. And annoying. And unsettling.

Let me know that this is normal? that its ok to be nervous even if you are SURE about what you are doing? Any words of advice or encouragement would be appreciated.

[wbg]

You are going to do great! And you will have a beautiful birth. It is perfectly normal to feel anxious! I have had 4 awesome, super positive birth experiences, the last one being a home birth. But, I always got a wee bit nervous towards the end of each one. It was not really a fear of anything concrete! Just pre birth jitters! If you feel totally comfortable with your choice and have surrounded yourself with people who will support your experience, then I would not worry about these nerves! If there is any part of you that doubts your choice, then you need to work through those issues.

I wish you all the best for a magical HBAC!!

[dogmom327]

It's okay to be nervous! I think for some of us it can be a side effect of being so well informed Remember that you are doing a great thing for yourself and your baby!

[sjuffs]

It is ok to be nervous even if you are confident in your decision. I remember when I was planning my VBAC and at the beginning I remembering going to my Mom crying after reading a uterine rupture story and feeling like a repeat was my only option and then I read and read and read and knew that a VBAC was my only option unless a cesarean became medically necessary. Anyway there was many times even though I knew it was the right choice that I would get scared and nervous but I knew that everything would work out the way it was meant to and I had the most amazing perfect VBAC in the hospital and now I am 6 weeks pregnant again and am trying to decide which I think I already deep down know that I want to have a HBAC. I love homebirth and all I have to think about is the peaceful labor in my home and my husband and kids around me and to be able to shower after in my own shower and then all of us crawl into our bed and just blissfully enjoy all the love we have for eachother. Ok this is starting to sound like a post for myself about why I should have a homebirth even if my midwife would rather me birth in the hospital. You can and will have a beautiful victorious HBAC and just don't think about the negatives or what ifs. Make sure you have a back up plan and transfer scenario plan but other than that think about all the beatiful moments that are going to happen in your home with love around you. No, I.V's, blood tests, monitors, intercoms, walking outside the halls, other women laboring or babys crying, water to labor in, no hopital gowns or blankets, the list continues and I think you get my point.

YOU GO MOMMA.

I won't wish you luck but I will wish a smooth and quick delivery.

[notaperfectmom]

You have no idea how much good reading this is doing me. And particularly the comment about anxiety sometimes being a side effect of being SO informed. I wouldn't want to know less...but I totally get that comment.

Thank you, thank you thank you!

Just knowing I'm not the only one is so important!

[srneda78]

Originally Posted by notaperfectmom

So...why am I waking up with little panic attacks in the middle of the night? I have had anxiety issues before so I know middle of the night anxiety when it rears its head, and this is not serious...but it IS persistent. And annoying. And unsettling.

This is my first pregnancy and I've decided on a homebirth. I am still very confident in my decision and hopeful for a truly wonderful experience. That said, as I get closer to the actual day (I'm almost 40 weeks!), I have been getting more and more anxious. My midwife suggested "Rescue Remedy" by the way ... and it's wonderful stuff! It calms down my anxiety. I, too, was waking up with little panic attacks in the middle of the night (nothing too severe, but they were very persistent and annoying, as you stated). The Rescue Remedy really helps.

You are well-researched, confident, and utterly NORMAL!

Best wishes to you for a beautiful pregnancy and birth!

[MsHiss]

You have my sympathy! I just did my HB on Sept. 18th. First baby, at 42 weeks. I had little panics too... worry about weird things that could go wrong. I trusted in my body and my midwife and our homebirth went great. We did have a problem, but our fabulous midwife handled it quickly and we have a beautiful 11lb baby! (I have PCOS and was told by several doctors I would definately have to have a C-section due to hip width, a large baby was one of my primary worries)

Take a deep breath and trust that you have made the right decision. Talk to your midwife about your concerns, that helped me a lot!

Good luck!!! Please let us know how it goes for you!

[laohaire]

Sure every woman has a little stage fright when she knows her time is near, regardless of her birthing choices.

I was pretty scared when my water broke. Not scared of homebirth or anything in particular - but it was like, oh my god, this is it, no going back. And in the last few weeks I was getting a little freaked about the fact that one way or another, the baby was coming out

Well, it all went fine for me and it will for you too

[Staciemao]

Originally Posted by dogmom327

It's okay to be nervous! I think for some of us it can be a side effect of being so well informed

Yeah that. Can you pinpoint anything specific that's making you nervous? What exactly are you worried about?

[barefootpoetry]

It's totally, 100%, completely normal to be nervous, no matter how confident or excited you are! I had an HBAC too and while I was so absolutely certain this was the right choice, I was still freaking out towards the end! This is unknown territory you're entering into here, of course you're scared! Not to mention that pregnant women are literally on a cusp between life and death, what with bringing life into this world and all that, so naturally our brains are going to subconsciously center on death from time to time, especially in those last few weeks. It doesn't mean anything bad at all. It's normal!

: Best of luck to you in yuor HBAC! If it's anything like mine you will be soooo happy you did it!