How do you work through birth/labour fears??...

[Beach Mama]

I was just reading some stuff about VBAC and a common theme was not to ignore fear, but rather to acknowledge it is there and then work though it.

I have a number of fears regarding this birth and am doing all I can to embrace what is coming and to positively think my way to an empowered birth no matter what happens, but how do I work my way through these fears??

Education is one way that I am doing this but in some ways the more I read the more fears I come up with!

So how did you overcome fears you had leading up to and during labour/birth??

ETA - Other things I am doing is attending an antenatal exercise class where there is alot of open discussion regarding birth and labour, employing a doula (gotta get onto that ) and visualising my birth.

[Arimeh]

Tan - the biggest reason why I had a c-section last time was fear - no medical reason whatsoever. And I found this time around my fears aren't as bad, but I have worked through them with hypnotherapy.... which is fantastic.. I feel no fear, and have no "bad fear thoughts" in my head. I keep imagining a relax, birthing atmosphere, and some pain, but none that i can't manage and holding my gorgeous bub at the end of it.
I'm sure you were actually after someone's experiences, but just thought I would put my 2c in as well.

[Trillian]

I think the best approach is to tackle it head on - analyse your first birth and try to pinpoint exactly where you think things started to go wrong (well not wrong as such, but where you think your sliding doors moment was kwim? If there was a decision you made that may have impacted etc kwim?) Or if you felt that it was a support issue. I think having a small amount of fear is healthy in a way because we aren't invincible after all, but its letting the fear overcome you that is the problem.

So once you have worked through it all in your head, write down where you think you could make improvements and things you can do to remedy the issues. Did you write down your birth story from Izzy's birth? Go through that again and insert any more detail if you can remember it (incase you didn't go into a lot of detail) and ask you DH for his perspective too.

[Beach Mama]

Thanks ladies!

Trillian - problem is, many of my fears are VBAC based, not based on the fears I had with Izzy! I don't think I really had that many other than ending up in c/s!

I have a fear of losing my little man, my uterus, my life- they are not HUGE fears but they are there, and make me doubt myself, and if I am doing the right thing having a VBAC. Even writing that I know that it is the right thing to do but its like that little devil that sits on your shoulder whispering those doubts and fears in your ear when you least expect it IYKWIM! Writing it all down is definately a great idea though = I think I will do over the holidays and take it with me to my next antenatal class.

[Trillian]

That's fair enough, they are pretty big concerns, but still they are things that could happen anyway in a normal vaginal birth without the previous history of a c/s kwim? So thats what you have to focus on - all the things that can go wrong can go wrong in a *normal* circumstance too. And with your VBAC you will be monitored more closely than if it were a normal vag birth so they will be on the lookout for signs that things could be happening - so someone will 'have your back' if you need it.

[monnie]

Hey Tanstar

I never got to have the natural birth that I was hoping for...but in anticipation for that birth, I read a fantastic book called "birth skills". It's written by a Sydney physiotherapist who has had 20+ years experience helping labouring women...and it's co-written by Sarah Murdoch.

The book has very practical ways to deal with the labouring process.

I don't think it covers VBAC births, but it is definitely helpful as a general birthing book. Very practical, very real. My cousin is actually one of women featured in the book and she absolutely swears by the techniques. She ended up birthing a 10lb posterior baby with no medical intervention!!!

I so wish I got to use the strategies and techniques...but maybe one day!