Archive for June, 2012

Top 25 New Baby Worries

Don't Worry Be Happy

It would be nice if pregnancy was one long, idyllic, blissful time of preparation to grow babies and bask in the beauty of the experience. And part of it is for most, but it’s also wrought with stress. Some of us worry more than others, but I’m confident there’s not a pregnant woman who has ever waddled this earth that has remained worry-free for her entire pregnancy.

It’s likely biological as the body prepares for all the worries the years of motherhood bring when children start walking and talking, and falling and breaking bones, and ….

Of course, much of it is out of our control, and we know worry won’t solve anything, but it doesn’t make it any easier to stop. The most comforting thing, however, is to know that you’re not alone in your worry. So in light of that, here are 25 of the things most pregnant women worry about regarding the arrival of their new baby:

1. Your water will break in the middle of Dunnes Stores.

2. You won’t make it to the hospital in time.

3. Natural birth will be WAY more painful than you anticipated.

4. The epidural won’t work.

5. Early labour.

Here's hoping you dont make a splash in Dunnes Stores

6. You will be in labour for weeks … months … (the longest recorded labour was 375 days…eek!)

7. Your birth won’t go as planned (e.g. you want a natural birth, but end up having to have a c-section).

8. You will give birth to an extra baby nobody noticed during all the ultrasounds.

9. You will give birth to the opposite gender child than you were told you were having and for whom you prepared.

10. The hospital will mix your baby up with someone else’s child.

Aint I pretty?

11. Your baby won’t be pretty.

12. Your baby will be HUGE.

 13. The doctor/midwife will be disgusted by your hairy legs/chipped toenail varnish.

14. You will poo on the delivery room table.

15. The baby will have a serious birth defect.

16. Dying during childbirth.

17. Stillbirth.

18. The car journey home from the hospital.

19. Colic.

Will my baby like me?

20. He or she won’t like you.

21. You won’t be able to breastfeed.

22. Dropping him or her.

23. That his or her sibling(s) will feel left out and unloved.

24. They were wrong, you’re not pregnant; you just got fat.

25. That all your stressing has negatively affected your baby.

What do you/did you worry about most while pregnant?

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Were you a screamer?

Scream if you wanna!

I recently heard tell from a friend who was due her baby that she was terrified of labour. When I enquired as to why – stupid question you might ask! – She proceeded to tell me that it was from watching the UK programme “One Born Every Minute”. Now, telling this to a woman who refused to listen to birthing stories – horror stories of episiotomies gone wrong or 38 hour labours – I would have the attitude of “You brought it on yourself, love”.

Out of interest and educational purposes of course, I sat down and watched an episode and was both astounded and amazed. I was also terrified beyond belief and I’ve actually gone through labour!

What amazed me though was the animalistic nature of it all. Women panting and screaming like something out of a Hollywood movie. I can’t say I was hugely reserved when having my contractions but my vocal register was not so high that most of south county Dublin could hear me.

In any case, I needn’t have worried. Apparently noises made during contractions or Vocalization, are a positive thing and can help you release pain and manage your painful contractions during active labour. By emitting low moans with your mouth open and jaw dropped to your chest, this can help to release tension and stress. The idea is that if your mouth and jaw are slack the rest of your body should start to relax. Specifically your bottom and pelvic area so this will, in turn, help baby to arrive a bit quicker!
 
Repetitive moaning, low keening or even chanting and singing are found to facilitate an easier birth. By repeating a sound it can focus and calm mum and help to control and manage each contraction. High pitched screams or shouts can heighten a stressful situation and not really help anyone. You might find your partner and most of the mid-wives leaving the room to get away from you.
 

Keep calm and don't panic

If you attend pregnancy yoga classes some instructors will encourage you to vocalize during active labour. An “Ommm” sound or even a humming sound can help you control your breathing, to focus on the wave and peak of the contraction and just generally help you to relax.

But if you are looking to have your labour be a relaxed and calm affair maybe give the episodes of “One born every minute” a miss till your 2nd pregnancy. At least then you will REALLY know what to expect.

 

 

For more information – click for link

Vocalization

Video of Vocalization – Youtube

Holistic Labour 

http://www.yogadublin.com/classes/prenatal/

 

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