Advice to prepare for labor

[hopesanddreams2014]

16 days until my due date and I am beyond excited to meet my little peanut!!! I've focused so much on that excitement, but now a little nervousness has crept in about labor itself. I really would like to have a natural birth, but I'm worried about if I'll be able to withstand the pain. Any suggestions to get me mentally prepared for childbirth would be greatly appreciated.

[MelFL1988]

My only advice would be to absolutely know what you want and make what you want known to your doctor and to the hospital staff when you get there, but also keep an open mind to the fact that you can't control everything that happens.

[Bigapplefamily]

Birth is mind over matter. Just visualize it and trust in yourself to accomplish it. I recommend doing a lot of research. I read loads of child birthing books. The one I loved the most was Ina May Gaskins Guide to Childbirth. Most helpful and good at calming fears of the unknown. I achieved my natural childbirth with my first this way and it really helped. The other thing that helped was having a birth advocate (my mom in my case but a doula is awesome). Someone who will basically help you achieve the natural delivery you want by encouraging you and helping you find ways to cope with the labor pains. Just tell yourself you will do it and don't give yourself an out. It sounds cheesy but believe in yourself and you will do it!!

[EriuBC]

I am in the same boat but 17 days away. I figure I will tough it out without the pain meds or epidural. If it gets to be more than I can withstand, the pain relief and epidural will still be options until labor progresses too far. Plus, how sweet will the relief be when I get to hold that little monster for the first time? Whether either of us can go through a natural birth unaided is yet to be determined. We all want a healthy baby delivered. If we accept help along the way that won't diminish the end result. I hope you get to have the birth you want. Cheers.