[carla72]

I don't

:

I know this is a little late for me to be looking into. I am 39 weeks and have started to freak out!! I have a hot tub this time which will help. Last time I swore a lot and that seemed to help. What helps you in labour? What are you planning this time? I am really scared today and really hot (even in c. air) All I want to do is sleep and wake up after babe is born. Do you think I could sleep through it?

Please share what has helped or what you are hoping will help you. I am planning a home birth so that should help some too.

 

[ColoradoMama]

Don't feel bad. I had a "freak out" moment the other night, too. I was actually crying and talking to my husband saying, "I've done this three times, what if I can't do it again? It hurts." I think trust in your body is HUGE. You know that your body knows what to do. You are a strong woman, and will be able to do what you need to do. Be very clear with your support people about what you need. Maybe going over your relaxation techniques ahead of time, so that you feel more confident about them. I just found my packet of Bradley stuff, and I'm going to read over it today - just to make me feel better! I have done visualization - which seems to help me a lot. I've also been known to scream and occasionally swear! We have a tub set up, and I plan on using it. I plan on telling my husband EXACTLY what to do! LOL. He knows by now to rub exactly where I tell him to rub or he's in for it! I have also fantasized about waking up and someone handing me my baby - "Look what just came out of you!" Don't think that's going to happen though.

 

[BirthFree]

When it gets really intense humming through contractions (matching someone else's low humming if I'm getting panicky and raising the tone higher and higher) helps me. Keeping your eyes open and not vacating the moment also helps stay in 'control'. Not being afraid is a huge key - so laboring by yourself or with someone special can really ease the pain. And water... it's going to help you a lot! Pressure on your lower hips/back, blowing your lips (so they vibrate) to stay relaxed...

But really, usually a person finds something that works for them and sticks with it.

I'm not an external labor-er, I'm totally internal - I close my eyes and make almost no noise (or I hum) but generally don't say a thing or swear or anything (I suppose that just stays in my head

). But by doing that sometimes I forget to say I need help or whatever...

You can't sleep through it probably, but you CAN do it! And 2nd labors tend to be easier and faster (really) so enjoy.

~Julie

 

[2sweetboysmom]

Hi, I'm not in your ddc but saw your post and remember that same panic when pregnant with ds2.
I love sitting on a labor ball in active labor the pressure against the perinal area helps me a lot. I have had 2 posterior presentation babes and usually spend a while in transition while they turn. I do best to just close my eyes, and hum or moan very low, (higher range vocalizations will tense the body) this allows me to check out/sleep for a few seconds between contractions, which really helps me have the energy to keep going and stay in control. Also, sorry for TMI but I cannot stand to wear any clothes in transition or pushing, just too distracting.

(I had 2 hosp births for medical reasons, this always scared my nurses

) Banish all distractions and agrivations, as necessary, for me that ocassionally included DH!!! (only for a few minutes!)

 

[NewAtThis]

Mine went super fast, but pelvic rocks on all fours helped me a lot, and sitting on the toilet. Just sitting there...don't know why, but it worked! I kept repeating I can do it, I can do it, and sure enough, I did! Good luck to you, I know you can do it!

 

[marymamma]

I think I am more nervous about labor the second time around too. I just really had no idea what to expect the first time and for some reason that made me less nervous. This time around though, I remember how much it hurt and it makes me nervous and think to myseld - "Can I really handle it again?"

:

I just remind myself that I did it once and I can do it again. I had a waterbirth last time, but probably won't this time. I may get in the bathtub some depending on how I feel. I am hoping I will feel less self consious this time (without so many people there like last time) and I will be more comfortable moving around and trying different things.

 

[veganf]

It's been different each time for me. This time remaining on my feet or knees was what helped me. I felt panicked sitting down through a contraction.

Second time I jumped around, screamed, etc.

First time I rhymed words in my head to take my mind off the pain.

I think you'll soon figure out, (if you don't already know), whether you like space during labor or if you like hands-on attention.
Just be prepared to be flexible and do what feels best.

 

[carla72]

Thanks so much for all the reply and sharing. I feel sooo much petter after reading these posts. So many good suggestions. Many of which I was going to try last time. I never did though becasue I couldn't get past this hurts I can't do this. I think the I CAN do this is important. And I have the tub, doula, birthing ball etc all ready. I feel better like I am now ready to go into labour. Waking up and being handed the baby would be nice though. Thanks for all the support and great ideas.

 

[mamamilkers]

Well, I didn't cope well AT ALL with my first labor. For some reason I had such a different expectation, I wasn't prepared in the least.

For this labor I've been practicing hypnosis, so that should help some. I've also been choosing to believe my midwives who tell me this labor will faster and easier than my last! LOL

I also am having a homebirth, which will help, and am getting a great labor tub delivered. The one the birth center had last time was too hard and shallow.

I also plan on utilizing some of the yoga I've learned (like the flowing cat/cow pose, if you're familiar). Hmmm, what else? I guess I will also cope by just believing in myself alot more than I did the last time. That probably sounds corny, but it's true. I just lost faith that I could handle it.

 

[Meeshi Mama]

Last time I labored for well over 24 hours with a posterior, asynclitic baby and never dilated past 2cm. I found a lot of relief in long, hot showers. I also had a certain way of breathing where I envisioned blowing the pain away. Coping in the hospital was hard though, no privacy, no support, that friggin EFM...

This time, I plan on telling myself "I am doing it." and "Oooooopen." I'll try to remember that each contraction has it's purpose and is gone once it has passed. But, I will mostly go with the flow. I know every time is so different, it would be nearly impossible to know what will work for me this time. Hopefully, being in the comfort of my own home with the constant support of an awesome midwife and doula will be helpful. I look forward to soaking in warm water in the kiddie pool that's out on the porch, near the birdfeeders so that the chickadees and hummingbirds can distract me.