Is it normal to be a bit nervous about childbirth?

[Vesuvius87]

I'm over 4 months pregnant by now. Even though one of my life goals was indeed having a child, pushing out a baby must be tough. It's really my first time carrying a baby. I've never had this experience before so yeah I'm a newbie.

It's likely going to be vaginal birth without epidural. There are only two types of pain I know; periods and my first time. This will be the 3rd new type of pain I'll know on my due date.

Even though I'm obviously at my greatest happiness is it normal to still be a bit nervous about childbirth?

Updates

11 mo

My insurance doesn't cover for epidural and it's going to be another additional cost. Additional, I've had a stomach surgery (benign tumor removal in 2019) and would like to avoid another surgery if possible.

[Orion84]

I'm a guy, so my opinion probably isn't valid, but I can't imagine NOT being nervous about childbirth.

I know women do it all the time, but from the outside, looking in, that would probably be something I'd never want to go through as a woman, especially since my fat ass literally wrecked my mother.

[Vesuvius87]

Ouch. Poor mom. Though the good part is once it's over and the nurses hand us our baby. Then our pain is overcompensated by then.
Hopefully I have a smooth delivery. I'm so new to this.

[oldpigg]

I am a medical student, and older women's pregnancies are the most difficult and most likely to result in death. They are usually a sea of ​​blood and often require emergency cesarean sections.

[Vesuvius87]

My mother was 36 when she had my brother (her 2nd child) and it was vaginal birth too. Though she received epidural.

[Vesuvius87]

If you read my update, I'm trying to avoid another cut in my stomach. I had a stomach tumor (benign) removed in March 2019 and the scar is 5-6 inches visible; runs up to an inch above my belly button. Off course if there is no option but c-section then that's fine but I would like to opt for vaginal birth if possible.

[Apple1996]

Labor is worse than pushing the baby out. I highly recommend you save up for the epidural cuz it's well worth the cost. With most of my births I couldn't dilate without it because I couldn't get relaxed

[Vesuvius87]

Is it safe though? I've read there might be some side effects and my baby can absorb some of that medication too.

[Apple1996]

I've never had a issue from it. Getting the epidural prevented me from needing a c section twice so it really helped

[Apple1996]

If you can go natural then do it but if not needing a epidural is no big deal

[Vesuvius87]

If it's to prevent me from having another stomach surgery (I had one to remove a benign tumor) then I'll have it done. I'm trying to avoid a c-section.

[Kelly6]

@Vesuvius87
Every med has side effect

[Apple1996]

@Kelly6 true but the side effects aren't common

[Apple1996]

Yeah try to avoid a c section. That is my worst nightmare. I'd never wanna be cut open

[LazerBean]

I haven't had kids yet, but I'm sure it's normal to be nervous. I'm nervous lol But I think we just have to remember that our bodies are built to be able to do so.

[Vesuvius87]

True. Hopefull this goes smoothly and it's over quicker. The great part would be when it's finally over and nurses hand my baby, then I see him/her for the first time.

[LazerBean]

Yes, I'm sure you'll do fine! Good luck

[Vesuvius87]

Thank you

[Berethor]

It is not easy so is make sense, also you 37 and it easier to give birth at younger age.

[Vesuvius87]

That's true. I'm so new to this.

[NathanDavis]

of course... they're often risky

and unexpected complications always a chance

[Vesuvius87]

Given that I'm keeping track of my prenatal check-ups, everything seems normal, good blood of 13.5 to 14, never had high blood pressure (it's always at 100/70 to 110/80 range), never developed any morning sickness at all (instead my hunger slightly increased) and baby's heartbearts are normal, I think it'll be smoothly, hopefully. I'm so new to this experience.

[NathanDavis]

I would be very nervous myself... and I would not be the one giving birth

[strateguy632]

It is

[Vesuvius87]

I hope the childbirth process isn't that long and goes smoothly

[Anonymous]

It’s normal and pregnancy is a lot harder then it looks. It’s fine to feel the way you feel

[Vesuvius87]

True. It's all cute when you see stories of other women that had children on TV, youtube or even read it but it's different when she's actually experiencing the whole process and then right before you know it, she already has to give birth.

[Opinion Owner]

It is and don’t get me wrong it’s a beautiful thing but there is a lot that men as well as women who never had kids don’t see.

[Anonymous]

I would think so. I don't care that it's natural. So are kidney stones! And they aren't fun either.

[Vesuvius87]

If I can avoid another stomach surgery (I had one to remove a benign tumor) that would be good. I'm so new to this. I hope it goes as easy as possible.

[Kelly6]

@Vesuvius87 its not safe or good to be nervous.

[Vesuvius87]

I know. It's just that I'm a newbie at this.

[Kelly6]

@Vesuvius87
You are newbie, that’s exactly why it’s more important for you rather for me who is having 5th baby

[Bklynbadboy12]

Yes that's normal this is uncharted territory for you. And CONGRATULATIONS!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[Vesuvius87]

Thank you. So far I never developed any morning sickness at all and given that my mother was able to have vaginal birth with both me and my brother; hopefully it goes smooth for me too. This is so new to me.

[Nice222]

This is totally normal.

[Vesuvius87]

Hopefully it goes easy. This is like a new zone for me.