Tips for fear of active labour pain?
Having my second baby the end of June and really want to go unmedicated, but also scared of active labor. My first baby’s head was facing forward (her back was along my left side though) and I labored for 30 hours at home stuck at 4cm. Midwife did a couple stretch and sweeps during labour and my water was broken, contractions were strong and 3-5 minutes apart the whole time, baby’s head just wasn’t in a great position and didn’t want to come down. Contractions were manageable, obviously wildly painful, but by hour 30 I was so exhausted and tired of the pain I mentally couldn’t keep going. I went to the hospital and got an epidural, hours later they gave me pitocin because I still wasn’t really dilating. Didn’t feel much, pushing was still incredibly painful in my back, again I think just not in a good position. But baby came out 48 hours after labor started.
Now going into my second birth I’m finding myself really scared about the pain of active labor. First time around was painful and exhausting, obviously very long which was a big contributing factor, but I never experienced full active labor, transition, and pushing without an epidural.
Any tips for getting through the fear? Things that helped in active labor? Everyone is telling me that baby will come faster this time around so really praying for that but would love to hear others experiences on getting through that stage of labour.