How’s everyone feeling getting closer to their due date?

Terrified of giving birth, nervous about becoming a mom, this new life. excited and grateful overall but my nerves are def settling in!

I’m so excited to walk the bridge one last time. I LOVE LABOUR. I love giving birth. I’ve also spent a couple of years really getting sovereign around what physiological unmedicated undisturbed birth is and what it offers me as a woman I feel like extremely empowered by the team that I’ve built with my Doula and my husband and my children being present at this next birth were having another home baby and can’t waitfor all of the juicy oxytocin to flow through our home when baby decides to land

This is my first and the anxiety has been hitting really hard for me lately😅 Both baby and I are healthy but my new OB thinks my last one got my due date wrong and is thinking baby boy will be arriving earlier than what I previously thought.. my husband's deployed but was supposed to be home early for the birth but if he comes as early as what my doctor is saying, he may not be home in time... tryna find a sitter for my pup as well for when I go into labor.. it's all just kinda hitting at once😅

@Nicki are you going in blind or have you done some research? My first child I went in blind! I’m wishing you ALL the strength & support and have absolutely no doubt you’ll boss it out 🤍🤍

Getting all nervous thinking about it Need some good YouTube channel that could help with easing out the tension and provide information on birthing

@AmberJ fkn LOVE THIS!!!! good on you sis :) goodluck and enjoy! 🤍

@Arielle I feel you on the due date! Mine have never made sense! Girl regardless if your partner makes it home YOU GOT THIS!!! your body is literally MADE for this and when the time comes you’ll know what to do. I pray that he gets home in time & you have a pleasant birth. Goodluck my girl 🥰🤍

@Bright have you been doing any research on the things you are nervous about/different things you can try for these things? I have no doubt everything will go smoothly for you & your body will get you through it 🤍 I can’t think of any YouTube channels as I’ve been using Pinterest but hopefully someone else can comment back to you with some links!

@AmberJ if you can help any other ladies on here by providing advice/links of things to watch if you have a moment I think you would be incredibly helpful! 🥰

@Sera KayI have been actually and certain things give me chills - information on epidural - and how it can paralyse the lower part for a long period of time - vaginal tear- no clear information on how it can be avoided So, I am searching for a one stop place to get all the information about delivery and not just prove being scary

I am expecting baby number 9, I have had some wonderful births and I have had some tough/rough births. My last one was so bad 😞 I don't want to go into detail because no one wants extra fear in their mind at this stage, I have opted for a c section this time and I feel soooo much better since making my decision. I've been under the birth trauma team since I was 12 weeks and I've had different sorts of therapy but I just couldn't shake the fear! I've never feared labour, I've always kept my cool, zoned out, practiced hypo birthing and even enjoyed some of them. But I do know I can't go back through what I did last time. X

I've been attending an NCT course and its helped loads. Get your birth plan written, try the labour poses and write down in plan which you can and can't do. Decide if you want delayed cord clamping and make sure you and birth partner advocates as they don't need your consent to cut the cord. Everything else does give consent. Don't feel rushed to make a decision; you can ask for 10 minutes to think. They also Dont have to announce its a boy or its a girl to the room. They can stay quiet and wrap baby up and you and your partner find out yourself. I feel way more empowered for doing this course. I learnt how to use a peri bottle too 🤣 I'd strongly recommend attending any baby classes you can now as it will help especially if your a FTM like me ❤️ its given me and hubby so much confidence

I'm ready for this journey to be over. I've been hospitalized for monitoring of pre-eclampsia and HBP. I may be here for another 2 weeks before delivering. I feel like I'm missing out on relaxing and prepping my home for my son. At this point, I am ready for anything that gets me home sooner than later.

@Bright I definitely recommend Pinterest it’s helped me alot. You can have a look at eating dates during pregnancy, perineal massage etc! They are to help with tearing 🤍

@Amy I’m so sorry to hear this. I do hope everything goes well this time around you are a superwoman 🤍

@Hannah love this! I have definitely done all this and prepared too in these ways :) peri bottle is a hell yes from me! Hopefully someone else can read this post and gain some insight!

@Faith aw I am so sorry that this is your experience. I hope you get to go home soon and cherish everything and feel better. 💐 sending my love and strength xx

@Sera Kay It's not ideal, but it's for the best. The food here is good and I can get outside food as well. My gestational diabetes has never been better with this help lol and it's my form of a breather from life, so I'm cherishing this moment before I return to the real world. I'm keeping all mommas in my prayers and thank you for some of the ideas for labor prep!! 💗 And your puppy is just too freaking cute 😍😍

@Sera Kay 8 year gap I’m feeling exactly the same!! So nervous. Trying to stay cool, calm and collected! Also going to try all the things you’ve suggested to help over the next week or so. My friend also suggested okra water mixed with cold brewed raspberry leaf tea and honey / fruit for sweetness - she said she drank this every day in her last trimester and she feels it really helped her. I don’t know but I’m willing to try everything!! 😂❤️

Ive been using regular affirmations like "women do this all the time and so I can do this to" and have been doing my own research on the pain relief options, and generally just educating myself. This has helped put my mind at ease. I've been told as a horse rider to do perineal massage to prevent any tearing. It's the tearing that I fear the most but my next thing is researching how to take it slow and stay relaxed as apparently this gives the skin chance to stretch!! 🙏🏻 Good luck to all xx

@Ell ooo yes I forgot to add I’m doing the raspberry leaf tea I’ve got a few boxes ready to go! Good luck angel 👼🤍

Update: i had contractions last night, and the affirmations and breathing really help! They were not to full level contractions, but practicing that as often as you can is vital for a positive birthing experience 🤎🤎 "I can do this. I'm no punk!" Was my go-to affirmation 🤭😂

@Faith good on you babe! 🥰🥰

Actually @Faith positive affirmations are great

The one thing my hypnobirthing teacher taught me in my previous pregnancy was the ring of fire is for only a very short time, and I tried to keep that in mind with my first, it still hurt like hell but was over in seconds 😂, I only had my first 2 years ago so can still remember it very well, I had a really positive birth and now worry I won’t be so lucky, but I think some worry is only normal, but your body is totally made to do this, think primal, moan and groan like a walrus during birth and practice your birth breath, that deep low breath that helps you push…you got this xxx

I had no idea about midwives and the support they provided I am already 30 weeks now, I wish I had opted for one right from start

@Bright in Australia you are assigned one from the get-go!

@Sera Kay That’s a great practice 🥹