First time mums, why you really shouldn’t be afraid of giving birth

Okay, so while you really can’t wait to meet baby, your due date is getting closer and closer and you’re starting to feel a little scared and anxious about giving birth.

Don’t worry, we completely understand. You’ve probably watched sensationalised shows about labour or heard scary stories from friends, or simply, you have the normal worries of a first time mum. You're venturing into the unknown, of course it's scary.

Although it’s natural to be a bit worried, we want to address some common fears to help put your mind at rest so you can breathe a little easier as you count down to baby.

The pain will be too much for you

Giving birth obviously won’t be without pain, but trust us, mums have been having babies since the beginning of time. They survived the pain and so will you. Your body is an amazing, powerful thing that was specially designed for this purpose. You can do this!

You’re scared of needing a c-section

Your doctor knows exactly what’s best for you and your baby. If you are advised you need a c-section trust that it’s the very best choice for you. To allay any worries, we advise you research c-sections in the the lead-up to the birth on websites and mum forums so that should you need one, you’ll be prepared both on the day and during the recovery period.

Doing a… you know

Okay, this is a common one we often hear. Yes, it sometimes happens, but we say so what? You’re about to push a human into the world – if a little accident happens, so be it. Anyway, you’ll be so full of adrenaline and excitement that the thought of a little bit of poo isn’t even going to make a dent on your emotions. If you’re really worried about this remember: the doctors and nurses have seen it all a thousand times.

Complications

It’s only natural to worry about complications. And while we’re not saying they don’t happen, what we are saying is they happen infrequently, so you shouldn’t allow yourself to get worked up about it in the lead up to the birth. Trust that your doctor is keeping a close eye on you. Besides, a stress-free mum in a healthier mum so try and take a deep breath and do something relaxing if you start to feel overwhelmed. May we suggest a bath and a trashy magazine? Works a treat for us!

Tearing

It’s true that about 60 to 70 per cent of mums need stitches ‘down there’ after giving birth vaginally. However, most tears are minor and heal up in next to no time. Comfort yourself that bigger tears, referred to as third and fourth degree tears, happen rarely. If you are really anxious about this, massaging the perineum, the area between the opening to your vagina and your back passage, with vitamin E oil can loosen it in preparation for baby.