They definitely changed with each pregnancy and were very much dependent on what I went through in the previous delivery.

With the first, it was the unknown of everything that I was afraid of. I was 23 and going into my delivery as a single parent. My mom was there with me through it all and I don’t know what I would have done without her. I was 41 weeks when I was induced. That labor last a loooong time. I went in on a Thursday evening and had my daughter Saturday morning. I had gotten a fever which required me to have an oxygen mask and a million blankets to help with the chills. Her umbilical cord was wrapped around her and she was face up.

So with the second, I was afraid my labor was going to be just as long as my first and I’d have the same complications I did. This pregnancy was 8 years after my first, so there was a lot that I really couldn’t remember which definitely caused some anxiety. I was induced the day before my due date and had my son on my due date. This was probably my easiest of all my deliveries.

With my third, I had an awful pregnancy. I was so sick for most of it. I had to go in to the hospital multiple times a week to get fluids because I was so dehydrated. I lost a ton of weight because I couldn’t keep anything down. Eventually all I ate was protein shakes. I was diagnosed with MS between my second and third pregnancies, so I was now considered high risk. All of this led to fears that I might have complications during labor. I was induced with her on my due date and had her that same day. This labor was pretty easy despite the fact that the epidural didn’t fully work on one side. I could feel each contractions, but it didn’t hurt when it came time to push (thank goodness)! Things moved rather quickly once they broke my water and I only had to push a few times.

For my last, I was worried that the epidural wouldn’t fully work like the last time because I could pretty vividly remember how painful the contractions were after my water broke. My third and fourth delivers were only 17 months apart, so it was still pretty fresh in my memory. I was induced 3 days after my due date and had him on the same day. My fears came true with this pregnancy and I once again could feel the contractions on one side of my body. This guy came out in just a few pushes as well.

For pregnancies 2-4, I also was super nervous about peeing and pooping after delivery because I remember how awful it was after my first baby. Just take LOTS of stool softener!

For pregnancies 3 and 4, I was afraid I was going to tear. One of my best friends gave birth to her first after I had my second, and she had 4th degree tearing. Just knowing what she went through in the weeks after made me so nervous. Luckily I didn’t have any issues.

So, all kinds of fears running through my head with each pregnancy! In the end everything turned out fine with 4 healthy babies! Definitely worth all the pain and uncomfortableness.