Common Fears for First-Time Parents
Going through labor can be intimidating, especially for first-time parents. Addressing your concerns can help parents feel more confident and relaxed in getting through without being too stressed.
Let’s talk about some of the common fears parents usually have:
Pain
First-time moms are often afraid that they can’t handle labor pain or that they won’t be able to push as effectively as needed for the baby to come out. However, there is no need to worry! The body instinctively knows what to do during labor, you just need to focus on relaxing, trusting your care provider, and doing your best.
Our team helps moms feel emotionally ready to give birth and work with their labor. Here are some ways we can help you work out the pain during labor contractions:
- Breathing exercises: these help regulate your emotions and alleviate anxiety associated with labor.
- Positive affirmations: the mind is critical to how your labor progresses. Thinking positive thoughts and staying motivated will help labor progress more efficiently.
- Movement or Yoga: we encourage you to try different positions and see if they help alleviate muscle tension and back pain.
- Waterbirth: waterbirth helps your back muscles relax and makes you feel refreshed, helping labor progress.
- Massaging: perineal and pelvic massage can reduce pain associated with labor and decrease the chance of injury.
Tearing
Another fear mothers have is tearing during birth. While it is more common for first-time mothers, it does not happen to everyone. In fact, unmedicated births are believed to cause less tearing.
In the event that you do tear, our midwives are trained to provide care that will help you recover in no time. Most tears heal within two weeks with minimal scarring. We encourage perineal massaging and pushing only when you feel a contraction to reduce the chance of tearing.
Not making it to the birth place on time
While it is possible for labor to progress quickly, that usually does not happen for first-time mothers. Labor can last from 12 to 24 hours for first-time mothers, so from the point that your water breaks and you begin having contractions, you will have time to get to the birthplace.
When you begin early labor, you’ll be in touch with your midwife and we’ll guide you through the whole process if you are not sure when you need to start heading to the birth center.
Interventions
Mothers may fear interventions during labor, such as an instrumental birth or a cesarean section. We don’t offer these interventions at the birth center, making them much less of a possibility. We encourage and enable our mothers to give birth as naturally as possible without needing those interventions.
We offer non-medical help and comfort measures that can aid the labor process without interventions. In case a mother needs it, we always discuss a particular procedure before performing it so you’re as comfortable as possible.
Safety Concerns
Your safety is always our top priority. We discuss our safety plan and what we do to ensure both mom and baby are safe and healthy. We talk about how we handle complications and the process of transitioning to a hospital if needed.
Rest assured, our midwives are trained to handle complications and will do everything to ease your fears and concerns.
If you ever have any questions, please give us a call!