The closer the long-awaited birthday of the child, the more often the expectant mother experiences anxiety and fear, which, due to lack of information, can turn into panic. These negative emotions are especially pronounced in women preparing for the birth of their first child.
What are women afraid of before childbirth?
The most common fear of a woman about childbirth is the fear of severe pain. Expectant mothers should remember that pain during childbirth is completely natural, but the more fearful you are, the stronger the discomfort will be. To cope with this fear, during pregnancy, you need to learn to relax, master the breathing technique that reduces pain. Be sure to ask your doctor about the pain relief methods they can offer if you can't take the pain anymore. In order not to panic, try not to listen to your friends about the "horrors" of childbirth and do not search for such information on the Internet. The pain of having a baby will seem like such a trifle when your baby smiles for the first time!
Another common fear of pregnant women is the death of a child or mother during childbirth. Currently, almost all maternity hospitals are equipped with all the necessary equipment that may be required in an emergency. Doctors strictly monitor the condition of the woman and the child, and if there is a risk of an unfavorable outcome of childbirth, they take all the necessary measures. Talk to your doctor about the possible situations and the plan of action of the medical staff. Also find out about the possibility of your husband or mother being present at the birth - in case of emergency, they will be able to monitor the actions of the staff.
Some expectant mothers fear premature birth. To deal with this fear, you should know that a baby born at 22-37 weeks is viable, albeit premature. In this case, he is provided with special medical assistance. For your own peace of mind, find out if your hospital has equipment for nursing premature babies.
If the due date is already very close, some women are afraid not to get to the hospital on time. Childbirth is a lengthy process, in very rare cases the birth of a child takes less than 1-2 hours. But to worry less, prepare a package of documents and everything you need for the hospital in advance. Think over several options for how you will get to the hospital - you can travel with a relative, husband or by ambulance.
Helpful Tips for Reducing Anxiety
Communicate with positively minded and happy childbirth friends. They will not scare you, but will give you adequate advice about the regime of the maternity hospital and its staff.
Attend pregnancy classes. Instructors will tell you about the process of childbirth, teach you how to breathe and relax.
Spend more time on your favorite leisure or hobby - read, listen to music, walk, knit, draw.
Treat childbirth as a responsible job that you will receive a worthy reward for. This mental attitude sets you in a business-like mood and helps to cope with panic.
