This is a question for especially mothers that have had more than one child. Do the fears of childbirth ever get any easier?

[MickyMacgraw]

I can't even begin to imagine how scary a first pregnancy can be especially when there are many different factors involved as in worrying about the looming pain, money problems, will the father support you, how will the family take it etc.. Ok lets take away the psychological issues as these can show their head at any time in your life. What of the looming physical pain, is this always worst the first time around or does it get easier with each child that you have?

[China Doll]

Lol... We'll see Lofty! I quite like the idea but I'm a complete wuss when it comes to pain ;0)

[B00]

<cough> southern jessie<cough>

[LoftyLottie]

MickyMacgraw. In answer to your question. I didn't have a baby until I was just 36 and I had never felt maternal. I loved my son to bits from day one but I honestly didn't feel the need for having another child. I don't dislike children, far from it but was an only child myself and never suffered for it.

The horrible labour may well have put me off, but I suspect if I had wanted more children I would have gone for it, but asked for a planned caesarian birth. They doubted I could give birth naturally because of the wide of my pelvis, but they still let me try for a natural birth despite my protests and then they wonderfully fluffed it up!!

[LoftyLottie]

'width'

[ummmm]

Salla...yes. They grabbed my Mum, shoved her in a wheelchaire and rushed to delivery room. Didn't make it though.

[MickyMacgraw]

Thank you all very much for the insight.

[cazzz1975]

I have had 3, the pain was the same for all three, although the labour was shorter, you tend to not focus on the job ahead when your in labour, you tend to just work contraction by contraction, then before you know it its all over.

[craft1948]

First and only was 25 hours in labour..............my ash kept dropping on the floor.

[ethandron]

i never had an fears, just decided to have a baby and that was it. i didn't dwell on any things that could go wrong, didn't even consider the possibility really. i had two trouble free pregnancies, two 3 hour labours, two 8lb. 9oz. baby boys, first one was a week over the due date, second was a week earlier than due date. both births without any drugs or gas and air. the only thing that stopped me having any more was the thought of having more boys, i love them dearly but two is enough. if i could have guaranteed a girl i would defo have had another.
i am a complete hero and nature obviously designed me for having babies :o)

[jackles]

I HAD 3 CHILDREN IN 4 YEARS. EACH BIRTH WAS EXCRUTIATING. THE LAST WAS THE WORSE BECAUSE FOR SOME INSANE REASON I OPTED FOR NATURAL CHILDBIRTH. ON THE BRIGHT SIDE,AM STILL HERE TO TELL THE STORY.

[ann_h]

Here's my experience to add to the mix :)

First: (12Hrs) Wasn't bothered at all about labour. It was painful, enough to make me throw up actually, but at the same time it wasn't frightening as I knew this was supposed to be happening. I did eventually have an epidural as they said I would be another 6 or 7 hours and I was reaching my limit - in the event I gave birth only 40 minutes later, and wished I hadn't bothered.
Second: (16Hrs) Based on previous birth, also wasn't worried. Unfortunately this one was really painful from start to finish - I think this was partly because I went in to the hospital too early and the midwife insisted on me being laid on the bed strapped to a monitor the whole flippin time, so I couldn't walk around and stretch etc.
Third: (slow mild labour 3 days, like pp's, then 3Hrs) Also not worried because although the 2nd was yuck, I reminded myself it was not going to go on forever and I knew I would get through it. Panicked briefly once labour actually started lol. In the end, I had a couple of paracetamol and gave birth two hours later almost painlessly, with midwife appearing at the door just in time to catch baby.
Fourth: As above, but with lovely African midwife in attendance and not interfering at all until I needed her.
Fifth: Due in May .... hoping for another easy one, but really not fretting at all.

Obviously, if you are very small, or the baby is big, or presents awkwardly it will probably hurt more - but every woman is different, as is every baby.
I am convinced though that more worry=more intervention=more pain=more drugs=more problems.
Focus instead on your poor baby who is being shoved face-first down a tunnel that is too tight - good job they don't have forums to worry on.... :)

xx
ann

[ann_h]

*edit note - "wished I hadn't bothered" with the epidural, not with the children rofl

[sara3]

child A, 38 hours, epidural and a forceps delivery. (do I win?)

child B, 5½ hours, no pain relief.

I now have 2 teenagers, which is more painful than anyone could have warned me about.

[annie0000]

I'll fight you for it sara!

No1 - waters broke on Sunday morning - labour started in afternoon - established labour bey evening - into hospital early hours of Monday - in labour all day monday, all day Tuesday - got epidural early hours of Wednesday - then ended up with a Section and son born at 6am Wednesday - 9lb 13oz


No2 - Elective section 1 week early - checked into hospital 7.30am - back on ward with son at 9.30am! - 8lb 3oz

As no 2 was 13 months after No 1 - I guess nothing puts you off if you want more than one!