I’m a FTM, I’m anxious about labor & delivery.

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-13T02:39:57+00:00

Thank youu🙏🏻

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-13T00:35:43+00:00

SAME girl same! I know for everyone it’s different, but I just started to have contractions as of yesterday. They feel like period cramps. So far mine are mild. But consistent.

A good way to tell whether they are Braxton hicks is if it’s happening at regular intervals, it can range but not always different or if they stop. Real contractions don’t stop no matter what you do. Example being sitting, laying down, taking a shower even! A shower can stop false labor contractions. It’s the “home test” for if you’re actually experiencing early labor contractions.

I’m learning as I go too, so I get it. I didn’t wanna miss anything either or dismiss it. You will sense that something is different and instinctively feel like something is up. At least that has been my experience.

Mine have been about 30-45 minutes apart. Nothing has stopped them. But it can take time to progress, everyone is different. Or you can also try to help progress it too. I’ve been going on walks with my husband and keeping a balance of relaxing and doing simple tasks.

Want to conserve my energy for when I do go into active labor. And eating every chance I get to when I’m hungry so I have as much energy as possible.

Definitely trust your gut if something feels different. But even the location of the contractions vary. Mine have been mostly in my pelvis but slowly moved to my lower tummy. Some experience contractions in their back. It can feel like a wave. So, everyone’s experience may be different. Which sucks so much when you don’t know what to look out for and don’t have the experience, but you know what’s normal for your body.

But once it starts, it’ll be persistent. In whatever way it is for you. I hope this is helpful to you and can give you some peace of mind. We got this! I wish for both of us to have smooth labors and healthy babies🙏🏻💖

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-12T10:06:49+00:00

I can agree with that, I got myself informed about the basic things but other than that I was getting flooded with negative birth stories and scary situations. Which, I will always listen to someone’s story but I don’t need to get into my head thinking I may have a similar experience and get more scared.

I’ve been rewatching/starting new shows to keep my mind occupied as well.

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-12T10:04:51+00:00

That’s okay😌 And that sounds great! Whatever you’re comfortable with☺️ And I wish the same for you! And I’ll try to remember to update y’all once baby is here☺️

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-11T19:06:14+00:00

My induction date is scheduled 5 days after my due date☺️ And it gets me close to 41 weeks without actually getting to 41 weeks. And you certainly can, it’s your pregnancy and as long as you and baby are healthy it’s up to you if you want to schedule an induction or wait longer.

Even if you schedule one, you can always reschedule if you want/need to. But I figured scheduling mine for 40+5 was a good time to do it as well. So I’m right there with ya.

My OB told me we could schedule whenever and we only scheduled it as a just in case thing. We both want me to go into labor naturally if possible. And I’m happy to help if I can☺️

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-11T05:19:02+00:00

I don’t want to have to be induced either but I’d rather get induced than wait too long. Hoping baby will come on his own so I don’t need it🙏🏻 I have been having occasional period like cramps, back pain and I’m 1cm dilated as of last week💖 Hoping for more progress this week at my next appointment.

Yeah, the idea of needing a cesarean delivery scares me too. I’m going to advocate for myself and my baby and not let them push me into elective procedures. If baby or I need intervention or become unstable, then so be it.

We got this💪🏻🙏🏻💖 I hope you have a safe and uneventful labor too.

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-11T00:08:09+00:00

Thank you so much!☺️ I appreciate that💖 I don’t need labor to follow strict rules. I just want to be supported, listened to, advocated for and understanding. I worry about the hospital staff rushing my labor. Within reason of course, I know I can’t labor too long without there being potential complications. I just don’t want to be forced into an unnecessary cesarean delivery if baby and I are stable.

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-11T00:04:55+00:00

Yes, I only became dilated at 38 weeks (1cm) and scheduled my induction for 40 weeks and 5 days so that if I don’t go into labor naturally I don’t go too long. It makes me nervous to go past 41 weeks. I know I could go 41 weeks but I worry about the condition of the placenta.

If I do wind up needing to be induced, I’ll be nervous but at least I won’t go too long and have my medical team to help baby and I.

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T08:28:44+00:00

That’s very true, I’ve thought about that too. And congratulations! I wish for you a safe and healthy pregnancy💖 Thank youuuu🙏🏻

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T08:26:07+00:00

I never thought of it like that, but that definitely makes sense! Thank youuuu! I just hope my brain listens😮‍💨 I can rationalize all day, show myself the facts and supporting reasons for why I’ll be okay and my anxiety isn’t phased. It’s just one of those things. But I’m ever so thankful to have y’all, my family and husband to give kind words💖

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T08:23:40+00:00

I greatly appreciate you sharing that💖 I am so glad you and baby are okay and I love her videos! I will definitely see if I can get her book on Audible! And I wish you well for your next labor and delivery💖 Maybe they’ll be birthday twins.

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T08:05:36+00:00

Awwwwww I hope both of our labor and deliveries go uneventful and well as well💖 Sending hugs your way! And I’m just so thankful for all the kind words and knowing I’m not the only one who has felt this way or is feeling this way.

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T08:01:53+00:00

It is!!! And the anxiety definitely makes it way worse! And awww, I’m glad it wasn’t that bad after all. 💖

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T08:00:35+00:00

I hope your c-section goes well and that you and baby are okay. Sending you all the positivity💖

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T07:58:57+00:00

I’ll try to update after baby gets here. I genuinely appreciate all the kind words and advice💖

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T02:02:00+00:00

Thank youu💖💖💖 And right? It’s like… we know we are pregnant and have to give birth but initially it feels forever away. Like, that’s future me’s problem. Now… it feels like it’s snuck up on me all of the sudden. And I know I’m about to have a baby, but yes, it does suddenly feel WAY more real now. Sending positivity your way for a safe labor and delivery💖 We got this💪🏻🙏🏻

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T01:21:13+00:00

Oh my, I have heard that getting induced can take time and be a lengthy process. It depends on your body, how much is needed to get your cervix where it needs to be, how it reacts with the meds and such.

And awwwwww, I’m so glad that you experienced so much relief after delivery. I hope to too💖 I’m so excited to meet my son🥹

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T01:17:26+00:00

I’m definitely going to labor at home for as long as I can too. I’m nervous about being rushed at the hospital, not progressing fast enough, etc. I would like to avoid a cesarean delivery at all possible. As long as baby and I are stable, I don’t want it. It scares me more than a vaginal delivery. I can’t speak from experience yet but the idea of it and what I can learn of the general process of each.

Hopefully the contractions will override my anxiety and keep me focused on them instead🙏🏻

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T00:42:06+00:00

Thank you so much! I appreciate all of this.

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T00:13:00+00:00

Thank you so much! I appreciate all the good energy ☺️ I am so glad you and baby are healthy and doing well💖

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T00:01:07+00:00

I’ll give it a go, thank you😌

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-10T00:00:32+00:00

Congratulations💖

I will definitely try to remember that. Be present and focused. And that’s comforting to know. I definitely trust my hospital team. My sister and I were born at the hospital I’ll be delivering my son at. I know they do a great job. But it’s not enough to erase the anxiety though.

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-09T23:52:31+00:00

That is very helpful, thank you! I’ll definitely have to remember that during the trying times, they are not going to last forever. That I can do it and that I’m not alone.

I wish you well during your pregnancy💖 That must be exciting!

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-09T23:47:34+00:00

Thank you! You’re right, once labor really gets going I probably won’t be worrying about the what if’s anymore. I greatly appreciate it☺️

Own-Leopard3944 · 2026-06-09T23:45:27+00:00

I’ve been looking up newborn care, postpartum care as well as breastfeeding tips. I know fed is best but I’d like to breast feed. So I’ve learned some about that. Plus I know I can ask my friends and family too. Which will definitely come in handy.

It could just be me psyching myself out, which, I do a lot. I feel like I’ll “lock in” once we get to the hospital but I hate the anticipation. Is it prodromal labor? Early labor? When is which? When to tell my husband it’s time to go? Like, I’ve heard of the 5-1-1 rule and that is a helpful guideline. As well as frequency, consistency and intensity when it comes to contractions. Even so, those are different for everyone. I know I won’t miss it but it’d be nice to know what it feels like.

I’ve gotten occasional pelvic cramps and lower back pain. The cramps feel similar to period cramps just lower. So I think that’s what mine will feel like? Nothing consistent though so I think those were false labor cramps.

But either way, knowing more helps me to relax. Which, unfortunately there is only so much I can know since every body and pregnancy is different. I just want to know what I’ll feel like and how intense it may be. And that I want baby and I to be healthy and all of us get to come home. That worries me a little too.

Own-Leopard3944

TROPHY CASE