Do you think your mind has a lot to do with going into labour?

[AliBaby]

Yes , yes and yes, will come back to read all of the posts and write more but what I do suggest is 2 weeks before your Due date, shut yourself off from those sorts of people, dont answer your phone and just enjoy your time being pregnant, soak in the bath and think of labouring your child and keep BB switched on at all times. Spend this time with just you, DH and your kids, be a family and think of your new little one coming to join you.

We put enough pressure on ourselves that we dont need the unwanted pressure of outsiders.

Lots of to you. Rambled thoughts are always the most interesting and meaningful.

[Jellyfish]

Not sure. I wasn't really thinking about it since it was 2 weeks early. Took me about 6hrs before I actually realised what was going on! Was a really easy labour and she arrived another 6 or so hours after that without a tear or graze or any pain releif.

I am a pretty laid back sort of person for the most part and usually perform my best when I am not overthinking things!

ETA: My Mum and several other females in my family had their babies early so I always thought that would happen to me. I hadn't really heard any horror stories so I wasn't stressed out at all haha.

[Ozziehoffy]

Deb, bless you. Well said! Totally agree.

Mel, like I said... anytime! I'm going to be here for you as you already know. I have some affirmations which I'll scan and email to you so you can get sticking them around. They have been on my fridge door since before Oskar was born...lol. Still there! Maybe that's saying something, maybe I'm not ready to have had my last lol. The hypnobirthing course you did doesn't sound like the full one which I really believe will help you a lot. I will get the lady's details for you asap. Love ya too honey xoxox.

[Pretty Butterfly]

Ok babe, I'm back....

I have great births, so have no need to stress or worry, I love going into labour, it excites me.

But not with Kane. I cried EVERY night since his ultrasound about his cleft. From 39 weeks on, my body was ready, no doc would believe I'd be pregnant much longer!! I said to everyone how much I wanted him OUT!!! I was 3 cm dialated, fully thinned out, and he was #5!!. They couldn't understand why I wasn't going into labour.

But inside, I didn't want him yet. I was SOOOOO scared. Inside, he was still perfect, with no feeding problems, no being teased, no surgeries. I felt so horrible, but I wasn't ready to be responsible for him just yet..... Having him here was just TOO real for me....

They finally gave me an induction date, and I relaxed. I had a dead set certain time to prepare for. I KNEW when I had to be ready. I had 4 days, YAY!!

So of course that night I go into labour, and in 50 min he was here!!!!

And I truly believe I had willed him to stay, and my stress was a major barrier. Once it all went away, my simply gorgeous son came to a mum that was ready, relaxed, and ready to tackle anyone that picked on him!!!!

[jackrose]

It is my belief that your mind is your biggest birthing organ.

I totally agree!

Reading Ina May Gaskin's "Spiritual Midwifery" "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" and Pam England and Rob Horowitz's "Birthing from within" really helped me understand that.

I think that my mental state had a heap to do with me going into labour. My DD was due on Christmas eve and all through my pg I was definite that I did not want my baby born near Christmas, in fact I wanted her to be born as far away from that date as possible! I figured that the last date pre-christmas she could arrive was the 16 dec (I had a friend on that day and managed to celebrate her birthday without too much Christmas getting in the way!) otherwise I would be happy with anytime from New year on. So there was a no-go zone I was mentally setting up throughout my pregnancy . Of course, everyone told me and I certainly understood that babies can make their own minds up!

I guessed I would have DD later as first babies are often late, and besides, I was so busy trying to finish work and get ready for Christmas that I thought I can't possibly a birth in early! So in early December I was flat out organising Christmas presents to be sent to the family around the world and across the country, organising Christmas lunch etc, organising the house for DD and sorting out Maternity leave. On the 9th December I realised, its all done! I am ready! I remember getting a really calm feeling and thinking, right, we are ready for you now little one....

The next morning, we went out for brunch and I said to my DH, this is the last brunch we are going to enjoy baby free... I think today is the day I am going to go into labour. He laughed at me and dismissed it, then, at midnight that night my contractions started 10 min apart. DD was born on the 11th December, exactly 2 weeks before her EDD - definitely far enough away from Christmas!

In my case I felt my mind played a huge part!

I hope you find mental space you need for the arrival of your next LO, and I think that what you are doing with keeping details to yourself this time around is an excellent idea. It will create some safe mental space for you to be on your own clock! All the best!

[Ozziehoffy]

Reading more of the replies here Mel and you know I actually stalled Elijah's a little a few times because I let some doubt creep in whilst in labour. Once I got myself past it and back into my zone mentally it all progressed again. Then about 1/2 an hour before he was born they were talking about if I didn't start to progress more then they'd be back to talk about the "options" (another c/s) .... I got very primal and I remember consciously thinking to myself... you HAVE to do this NOW, you CAN do this! He then passed under my pubic bone where he'd been stuck and then was born not long after... I believed the mental side before but it just got me thinking and I thought I'd share that bit with you.