The time is coming. We are already in the third trimester of pregnancy and now more than ever we will be assaulted by doubts and fears about childbirth. And at the base of all those fears, a single wish: that the baby be born well. Or rather two wishes? May we also be well.
Some women go very quiet to childbirth, after all it is a natural process through which we have all come to the world. But it is a non-risk-free process, and especially new mothers can show these fears about childbirth that we went on to comment.
Fear of a long delivery
How long is a delivery? It is the question that every pregnant woman asks herself, although she does not have an exact answer. The phases of active dilation in childbirth usually last an average of eight hours in primiparous mothers and five hours in the multiparas. And, of course, we would always like to be below that average in terms of active dilation (yes, the one that hurts the most) refers.
We cannot determine how long our labor will last, but the longer it gets longer, the weaker we will be. The only thing we can do to try to shorten the delivery is to follow the advice to soften the cervix and not go "green" to the hospital. That is, we must favor the latent dilation phase in a natural way (walking, making love ...) and thus help the famous ten centimeters of dilatation arrive earlier.
Fear of a C-section
We assume that most women like to give birth naturally, vaginally and not through a C-section, because of the risks that this surgical procedure implies for the mother and the baby.
The fact that a delivery is lengthened or complicated and ends in caesarean section is a matter that scares many women. Complications can rarely be predicted, but if we can do something to reduce the risk, sometimes, that a delivery ends in caesarean section, is to ensure a healthy pregnancy, with the ideal weight (overweight raises the risk of caesarean section), and Go physically prepared for childbirth.
Fear of pain in childbirth
If physical preparation is important, so is mental preparation. And precisely there we falter sometimes, when we are overcome by fear of pain, we block ourselves and we are not one hundred percent to face childbirth. Painful contractions, as we have seen, usually last a few hours, are we prepared to face them?
Contractions or a possible episiotomy are the main fears and although the first are inevitable and necessary for natural childbirth (although each woman will perceive the pain differently), remember that episiotomies are not recommended by system, only if there is clinical need .
There are many women who learn to control that fear (with relaxation techniques, for example) or others who are not affected by fear. Others, however, will have a great fear of pain. Many women then decide to bet on methods such as epidural anesthesia (although that does not mean that there is no fear of pricking), laughing gas and remember that there are non-pharmacological methods to relieve pain.
Fear that the baby is not well
Our grandparents say that the first thing that was done when the baby was born was to tell the fingers and toes. Nowadays, with the ultrasound so precise within our reach, this count of small appendices is not usually our priority. But until you see the baby, you don't believe at all that it will be alright.
And childbirth is an important time when something could happen badly and affect the baby. That is why I believe that every mother, when she hears her baby cry for the first time, feels a great relief.
Fear of a slow recovery
The last fear we discussed refers rather to some consequences of childbirth, which we may not find out at that time but that can take its toll afterwards. Not only does caesarean section worry us, there are other minor interventions or effects of childbirth that scare us.
Episiotomies, tears, hemorrhoids, tiredness ... how much of all that will I have? Can I take care of the baby? We are worried that we will not be able to care for the baby as we would like. Therefore, the question of whether "I will survive" childbirth raises many women.
And it is likely that after delivery you feel as if a train has passed you over, and you will need rest and help, but remember that the new family member will make you get strength from where you thought there was nothing.
Remember that all these are normal fears that you can share with the medical staff that treats you and with your surroundings. Many fears are simply reduced with good information. Childbirth preparation classes and contact with other future moms can help you dissipate fears.
You may even confirm that they are habitual fears, shared with other pregnant women and that they had those who are already mothers. But fortunately most births will go better than you expected. There will also be contrary cases, but they are the least.
In short, if you are going to be a mom, you may be assaulted by these most frequent fears about childbirth, but try not to block your fear. And it is also possible that you have different fears. And every woman, every birth, every experience is a world.
Photos | Thinkstock
In Babies and more | Five fears you will have during pregnancy
