[Twhylite21]

I still have a few weeks to go, but it's getting closer all the time. I feel like I've done everything possible to prepare myself for labor. I have both DH and my best friend for coaches (both have come to class, etc). I'm almost finished with the Bradley Method courses. I've read tons of books, birth stories, etc. I believe I can have the natural birth I want.

With that being said, I'm starting to worry that in the middle of it I will give in to pain meds or something. I think it's mainly because a lot of my family members are almost mocking my choice to go med-free. They keep talking about the pain, etc. Even my sister (who does not have kids) keeps telling me about how these 3 women at her office did Hypnobirthing and still all of them ended up with an epidural. I just feel like all of these people doubt I can do it, so then I feel like I should be doubting myself.

Did anyone else experience this? Any tips to get over it?

[PixieQueen]

Pbbbbth on them. If you are prepared and you believe you can do it, you can. Especially because when most women want to cave is during transition. At that point you are almost done! Another cm or two and some pushing ans your baby is here! Since you have two great people supporting you, I am sure you can. Don't doubt yourself just because other people doubted themselves and are now taking it out on you!

[moon~maiden]

I had no doubts leading up to it. I transitioned at the speed of light, and I had back spasms, so there was about 45 minutes to an hour where I was so sure I couldn't do it. But I WAS doing it. I had a Doula and a very supportive husband, as well as a solid mindset. I knew that I would never forgive myself and that I didn't really want anything. After I was done transitioning the thought never crossed my mind again.

Make sure your birth partners know what to expect. The Bradley Method book has a great chapter, or there is always the book the birth partner, if they want to go a bit deeper into the reading.

Don't expect that the thought won't ever cross your mind, and if it does, don't be upset with yourself over it. The nature of transition comes with some self doubt over your ability to do it...but you are doing it as you sit there thinking you can't. Afterwards, you won't regret it.

[GrowBabyGrow]

I didnt know if I could do it or not so I made sure that pain meds were not an option for me. Even though I knew my midwife had them and I was screaming for them my support knew I didnt want them and they just ignored me. I have a high pain tolerance but it did get really intense towards the end. But by that time I was almost ready to push. It really is true that when you cant handle it anymore you are almost done.

Also the pain isnt the same type of pain as say getting your arm cut off. It is a different pain and Im sure you CAN handle it. Just think about how good you will feel once you are done. I have an amazing bond with this baby that I didnt have with my first. It makes me sad that I missed out on that with her.

Dont listen to them. Your support is all that matters. They will help you make it through and then you will have your little baby in your arms.

[ShaunaB]

Although it's normal to have some fears, especially getting this close, don't let other's people doubts get to you. In fact, use it to spur you on. Even when you get to the point in labor when you may think you can't do it, use all of the knowledge you have and the preperation you've done to push right through and shut up those naysayers. You can do it, you will do it!

Your family here on this Board is not mocking you, we know you can do it!

I really didn't have any doubts at all...I didn't let myself. And during the actual birth, the thought of meds didn't even cross my mind. The thought, "I can't do this anymore" did cross my mind once (actually I think I screamed it. That was when I was really glad that my husband and nurse were so awesome.
You can do it....don't doubt yourself.

[GLSheridan]

I felt that I couldn't do it anymore once I started having back labor. I could handle the contractions just fine, but the back labor was so painful that it buckled my knees a few times. I remember telling my husband that I couldn't do it... he just ignored me as he knew that I would regret getting drugs. After a short while of massage and deep breathing, I was able to get myself really relaxed and almost in a trance-like state. I felt the back labor, but I was able to cope with the discomfort without even a peep.

Pushing was intense, but I knew I could do it... it just felt right to push that baby out!

[ragmama]

I'll be honest - "I can't do this" crossed my mind while I was in labor. It lingered there for about a minute, and was gone. The fear of giving in to the meds was *one* of the reasons I chose to birth at home the second time around - I didn't even want them to be an option - although I know that's not ideal for everyone. Just be clear that you don't want to be offered pain meds, or else they typically hound you to death over them.

You're going to be *awesome* and have a ton of "I told you so" rights, as well as a beautiful baby, when it's all over.

[OurSweetLabs]

Before I went into labor I wasn't sure if I could do it but the more I read the more determined I became. The ladies on this boared were very encouraging and informative. They only time that I thought that I couldn't do was right before I push and then the nurses laughed and told me it was almost over.

I didn't have any doubts .. but during labor with Vae I asked for drugs once -- and my mom gave me the eye I knew she was thinking "You don't want meds !!!!"
And with Sophia -- ouch .. I asked OVER AND OVER I'm thankful that I didn't get them though .. I know I would have regretted it huge.