Most embarassing moment?
Birth class #2: I cried during the labor video; I was freaking out thinking ‘I can’t do this. I can’t do this. I can’t do this.’ Everyone saw.
Now I am eating a bit of carrot cake and drinking non-fat milk in hopes that I will put myself into a sugar coma and forget all about the mortification.
I’m pretty sure that crying comes with the pregnant territory. So you are okay there. And I also think it is completely normal to have doubts and fears about labor, but I know that you are a strong person who can definitely accomplish so many things, including labor. I think you will be amazed with yourself when you are finally holding Marco in your arms! Of course, I say these things not from personal experience, but from watching others have children and be completely in awe of what just happened and how well they handled labor and birth. You will do just great!
You may not be a fan of the show, but Keeping up with the Kardashians just had Kourtney’s son’s birth on it, and she literally pulled her OWN baby out of her!! It was ridiculous, scary, and inspiring to see that she wasn’t all freaked out. It might help, or scare the beejezus out of you. But like kacey said, you are strong, and very capable of doing this, and the end result will make it all worth it, or so they say. Are you planning on having an epidural, or meds or anything to help with the pain?
Yes to the epidural. I’ll likely be laboring through contractions for up to 10 hours or so before I am ready for the epidural, though.
i labored for 20 hours before the epidural! and technically they told me that it was too early for it. but there are plenty of meds they can give you in the meantime to help manage the pain. Only one of them actually did ANYTHING for me.
I only labored for 6 before I got an epidural and I promise you are not in pain the whole time. I’ll report back to you on Izzie’s birth. Bring seasons of House and see if they will let you watch them while laboring that might help. Its good to have distractions during the process. Contrations only last a couple of minutes then you get a break. I’ve seen people much weaker people than yourself give birth. You can do it. If it was that bad I wouldnt be doing it again.
Last night in birth class we went over the stages of labor, and the nurse said it’s not uncommon for a woman to be in early labor for up to 12 hours, and active labor for an hour or so before the epidural is given (depending on the woman’s progress at that point). I guess I’ll see what happens when I go in!
She is completely right! I never had early labor. My water broke at 10:35ish and I felt contractions starting – I was in the hospital in active labor by 11:45. I decided to shower first. Highly recommend that!! You will be surprised at how strong you are. You will see.