The fear of childbirth is a legitimate one; complete with its own scientific name and everything. Experts refer to it as tokophobia. From the fear of needles to the fear of blood, there are a number of reasons why women have a fear of childbirth. In extreme situations, some women choose to never get pregnant.
But that's not you, is it? You're very pregnant, albeit with a few worries of your own. And experts say this is normal, but there's really nothing to worry about. It's only natural to worry a bit throughout your pregnancy – after all, this whole thing is new and nail-bitingly unpredictable. All you want is for your nine-month gestation period to go perfectly. And guess what? It usually does. Some doulas explain the real facts about the things that freak you out most. Read on – and heave a huge sigh of relief.
5 Reasons For The Fear Of Childbirth, And Why You Needn't Worry.
Poop on the delivery table
Pooping during the second stage of labour, when the cervix is completely dilated, is super-common — and most docs are stoked to see this happen. When a bowel movement occurs, it means that the woman is pushing well and health-care providers see this as a positive thing.
Why you shouldn't worry: Most women don't even notice if they poop during labour. But if you do, someone will handle it STAT. The nurse is very quick to remove the bowel movement without mentioning it to the labouring woman.
Your epidural will not be effective
For women who would prefer not to deliver unmedicated, the thought of possibly having to do so can be terrifying.
Why you shouldn't worry: At most hospitals, women can get an epidural at any point in labor, even when they are 10 centimeters dilated. And no need to worry about getting an ineffective epidural. According to research published in Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology, only about 12 percent of epidurals fail to work as they're intended to. But if you're still in pain or feel something is off, tell your nurse right away.
You cannot deal with all that pain
If you've heard horror stories from friends with scary birth scenes, and are freaked out about the potential pain of labour, you're not alone.
Why you shouldn't worry: The pain of childbirth is unlike any other you're likely to experience, but that's a good thing. Labour pain is not constant. Contractions come in short intervals. This means that between the contractions there is a break to make labour pain easier to manage. Labour pain also builds in intensity, allowing a woman to practice coping techniques when the pain is milder. So, by the time you're ready to push, you'll be prepared.
C-Section recovery is the most painful
Many women fear that a C-section could mean a recovery that's far longer and more arduous than natural birth. A lot of women see surgery as terrifying. Or they feel like they've failed if they have to have an unplanned C-section.
Why you shouldn't worry: Recovery takes approximately six weeks for both vaginal and Caesarean deliveries. But according to WebMD, it's possible to have pains for up to a year with a C-section. This is surgery, after all. In addition, you may bleed longer and experience more abdominal pain, especially along the incision. But many moms say the aftermath of the surgery wasn't as bad as they had imagined. And caring for your baby will likely serve as a welcome distraction.
You'll never be the same down there
Some women spend the whole pregnancy time agonizing over choosing between tearing or having an episiotomy. It makes it even worse when your ultrasound declares your baby is big.
Why you shouldn't worry: The human body is wonderfully elastic. During pregnancy, the hormones relaxin and estrogen prepare the joints and tissues in your pelvic floor for the stretch of birth. So, fear not: your vagina and perineum will heal. Even faster if you add some Kegels and squats into your daily fitness routine post-birth.
If you do tear, the doc will sew you up with a few stitches, and the wound should heal within a week to 10 days.
Cosmopolitan
Also read: Needle left in new mum's uterus following a C-section delivery
