Giving birth in Australia and VERY nervous

MB, like the others said, you can do perineal massage and lots of it! You can also start taking evening primrose oil capsules orally and from 38 weeks vaginally. It helps your cervix prepare for labor but does not start labor. Just makes is easier once you are there...

Read that book and especially the last couple of chapters about birth, positions etc. Your position at birth can also greatly reduce your chance of tearing or assisted delivery.

I would also look into a water birth. Chat to the midwifes, tell them that you want a doula but can't afford one, they might know of a trainee doula that could help you for a reduced fee or even for free. Otherwise ask that the assistant midwife give you some extra emotional support. Sit with them and draw up a birth plan so that you know how they work and that they know what you are going to need. It will also help to get more familiar with their setup.

As for ways to help baby come, sex is really your best option... walk, walk, walk, squat and sitting on a birth ball. Try to be patient, baby knows when to come and will come when he is ready. The more relaxed you are, the more likely baby is to relax and make the move into this world.

Good luck!! We are rooting for you!!

Hi

Start the perineal massage now and listen to the hypnobirthing cd's. Also go back to the start of the hypnobirthing book and read about how your body is made to birth etc, I know that made me feel better when I was scared.

I gave birth to a 3.71kg baby (I know that's not as big as some of the other sizes discussed here), Dr also said she would be bigger than that but they can't accurately tell until baby is born. I managed without an epidural , but did have a small cut and few stitches, but no real pain, didn't take any thing for it afterwards

I believe that by the end I was getting impatient and rushed the pushing, I wonder if I hadn't rushed it if I wouldn't have needed the episiotomy

I really believe in letting go and trusting your body, but I know it's easier said than done.

Either way in a few weeks it will all be over and you will have a little baby to take home

Good luck

Hi MariBiscuit - Just briefly popping in. Perineal massage will also reduce your risk of tearing - google it for how! It really works.

MariB, my cousins wife recently gave birth to a little girl 4.3kg's, at home with only a midwife to assist. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

And please don't do any castor oil, a friend did that and the runny tummy gave her so much grief, she did end up in labour but her body wasn't ready and with the extreme runny tummy she couldn't phantom pushing a baby out too, so it ended in a c-sec.

And we had the same fight with you the first time round - don't do c-sec out of fear. I'm going to try to avoid a c-sec at all cost this time round. I'm going to be delivering in November which is hubbies busiest time of the year and I can't not be able to cope on my own for any amount of time - with my first c-sec I was able to pick up my sisters oldest before she was able to (she had her second c-sec 11 days before I did) I can't have that.

What I really meant to say is, I think we are all scared but you have to trust your body. From what I've read epidurals increase the amount of intervention needed which would increase chances of episiotomy or vacuum and forceps or both. There are perineal exercises you can try, waterbirth also an option.

And just hang on till after the 27st, you delivered migs on her due date if I'm not mistaken, you'll be 38 weeks when he gets back. And anyway, if something does happen while he is away, at least you speak the language and understand it, it could have been a lot worse!

Just have to add, to make things worse my partner is going to work on site (which is a 2hour flight away) from 25-27 April!! So that means I'm alone with all my stressing. I'm eating Rescue remedy like sweets at the moment!

Thanks for the replies!

We live in Mandurah, Perth. I'm going to the Peel Health Campus which is mainly operated by midwives (which I'm really relieved about). As far as I understood the doctor only gets called when it's time for the actual birth.

Hasie I would love to have a doula but unfortunately finances are extremely tight at the moment! My partner only recently started working and we're still trying to set up house and get things for baby so I do not have any money to spare.

I will definitely finish reading the book and also listen to the CD's. Is there any advice you can give me how I can prevent tearing? I would prefer an epidural (they do walking epidurals here) but I've read that that can make the chance of tearing or an assisted birth higher? I really do not want to tear and then have a Chinese doctor who has to stand on a box stitching me up afterwards!! And I really don't want baby to be born with a vacuum.

Thanks Missesmom, will definitely tackle that book and CD now

Blompotjie I have another appointment at my obstetrician on Monday, will ask him what the procedure is regarding a C-section. He was away on holiday for 3weeks and said he'll have a look at baby's size again when he's back.

2kidmamma, unfortunately Melbourne is far away from me

Can any of you give advice how to get baby out now Yes, as in I'm starting to panic and am willing to drink Castor oil if that could help!! (ok..I'm not THAT desperate yet haha). Does walking really help? What else?

Maribiscuit, read that book and listen to the CD!!! Its not to late. You can also try to find a HypnoBirthing practitioner to help you and maybe even a doula. There are lots of HypnoBirthing practitioners in Australia.

Like MM said, its unlikely for your body to produce a baby that is to big to birth. You CAN do it!!! Seriously try to find a doula, having someone with you might help you stay calm and get you through it.

I'm rooting for you!!