Overcoming fear of childbirth

Every woman feels some fear as childbirth approaches. You may wonder if your baby will be healthy. You may worry about how you will deal with the pain of labor. Some women fear embarrassing themselves with how they might act. Other women wonder whether they will be good mothers. These are normal feelings.

These feelings reflect the emotional process of pregnancy. As your baby grows inside you, it is normal to think about the changes this new baby will bring to your life. Sorting through these feelings while you are pregnant helps reduce the stress of adjusting to life with a baby. It leaves you free to experience labor and birth as the first step in parenthood.

Here are some things that you can do to sort through these feelings:

• Learn as much as you can about pregnancy, labor and delivery. Knowing what to expect can relieve much of your anxiety. Take a childbirth education class. Tour the labor and delivery area where you will be giving birth. Talk with other mothers-to-be. Talk with your healthcare provider about your plans for birth.
• Trust your body. Just as your body knows how to create a pregnancy, it knows how to give birth. Recall other experiences when your total body is active: sex, swimming, sports. Feeling connected to your body can give you confidence in labor. Moderate exercise during pregnancy helps build that feeling of faith in your body.
• Talk about it. Trying to hide worries or fears can sometimes make them feel bigger than they really are. Sit down with your partner, a close friend, or your healthcare provider. List the things that worry you and discuss them. Often, just having the opportunity to talk openly helps.
• Do not listen to horror stories. When you are pregnant, people seem to enjoy telling you about scary birth experiences. Childbirth is a safe, normal process for mothers and babies. Your healthcare provider or childbirth educator can give you the facts about the safety of childbirth.
• Respect your feelings. Pregnancy is a time of emotional awareness. If you have feelings of fear that do not go away, talk with your healthcare provider. Keeping yourself emotionally healthy is as important as good physical health.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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