Labor anxiety

Following!!! You are not alone

I was nervous too. Breath and think of baby. It’s all ok, try not panic your body will be doing what it needs to x.

I would just say be upfront on getting epidural and when things start to get a little uncomfortable just ask for some pain relief - gas and air, pethadine injection or epidural depending on the level of pain. I had terrible contractions and becz I’m in the UK the NHS, I didn’t get epidural for a long duration but once I got it, it worked like a charm and after that things were manageable. Don’t worry, it’s rare to mess up epidural but if that doesn’t work they can give you other forms of pain relief as well. it’ll be over so soon and then the pain will be like a distant memory and you’ll have your bundle of joy in your arms. Good luck 💕

Anxiety is normal. I think my excitement took over to where the day of I was just so ready to see her that nothing else mattered. Everyone’s labor is different. What helped me was I manifested the type of delivery I wanted to have. I didn’t let anyone else negative say change that. With my delivery the only issue I had was my sciatica and fibromyalgia flared up which was two things I wasn’t expecting but I handled contractions like a champ which was something I manifested. Talk with your labor team about your anxiety and let them reassure you as well.

As a mama, that's about to have her 6th baby next week. And has never had an epidural and has used breathing and such for natural pain management. The best advice i can give you is if you experience the pain of contractions before an epidural, is this. Every time the pain comes on, relax your body (DO NOT Tense up! It will NOT help manage pain) and focus on your breathing. Breathing deep in through your nose and out of your mouth like you're blowing out a candle. You can even close your eyes if it helps. Just fucus on the slow breathing in and the slow breathing out while relaxing. Since you will have an epidural, you won't have to worry about how breathing looks in REALLY active labor. BUT in the off chance you need to know that too. It's almost the same, expect the breathing will be a bit more forceful (think take a deep breath a bit faster and then forcefully blow out a candle like it's the best relighting candle you've ever encountered lol) while still relaxing your body as much as possible.......

This is how I've managed pain with all my babies. And I've shared this info with some friends before. One of which had her epidural not be super effective (can't remember why, but i do know it's not as common as them working) and she used this advice and couldn't stop thanking me after her baby was born. She was grateful she knew a backup pain management when she needed it. It helped her a ton. And if it helps you not feel alone. I think most mothers, including myself (and I've done this 5 times before lol) get nervous or some anxiety before baby comes. It's a big deal, so it's totally understandable. Wishing you a great birthing experience! And congratulations