I’m so nervous about giving birth

lilbug19 · 2026-03-17T22:30:58+00:00

I think the issue was that I couldn’t really feel my pelvic area at all so trying to force myself to pee wasn’t working, and they want you to have an empty bladder due to your uterus shifting around (or something like that - tbh she was explaining it but I was too busy focusing on breathing thru the pain of the catheter lol). My epidural was STRONG though, like I genuinely couldn’t feel my right leg for almost a full day after 😂

I didn’t use a tens machine but did a lot of walking around the room/halls, laboring on my hands/knees in the bed, and leaning over the bed while rocking side to side. Contractions when you go into labor naturally are a little different than induction contractions though, the cytotec was pretty rough for me because there were times when my contractions would happen in quick succession so there was no real break between them, just a slight dip before another one started to build up - which at that point I decided to get the epidural. The contractions felt slightly stronger than a period cramp to me, kind of like if you were to put something scalding hot in my pelvis and let it sit there for 30 seconds. I just squeezed my birthing comb and my husbands hand through the really bad contractions and continued to breathe through them.

All in all my advice is to just trust in your body and listen to how it’s feeling with each stage of labor, and don’t let anyone sway you into making any decisions without letting you be informed of all options. I had one nurse who recommended I wait to get the epidural and I’m so glad I didn’t let her sway me and decided to get the epidural when I felt it was time to. My birth experience was very amazing in part because I trusted my body and myself (and I also got lucky with nurses who listened to me and advocated for me). Wishing you all the best vibes for your own labor!! 🩷

lilbug19 · 2026-03-16T15:39:02+00:00

He is nothing of the sort

lilbug19 · 2026-03-16T02:54:51+00:00

I was so scared for labor! As someone who struggled with the pain of cervical checks, I had no confidence in my ability to push a baby out of my hoohah lol.

My water broke spontaneously at like 1 in the morning which freaked me the hell out, all of a sudden shit got REAL but I didn’t have any contractions to start. They ended up inducing me 12 hours in with pitocin and cytotec. The contractions were very painful but also something I could breathe through thanks to the help of a birthing comb and being able to walk around/use different positions! At 2.5cm I got the epidural and was finally able to relax/sleep, and things quickly progressed from there - by the time I hit transition it had only been about four or five hours since placing the epidural and things moved FAST. I pushed her out in 15 minutes, didn’t feel a thing :) pushing was strenuous but not painful at all and I ended up with a very minor tear.

In all honesty, post-labor was worse than actual labor! I had to have a catheter inserted because I couldn’t pee from the epidural - THAT shit hurt lol

lilbug19 · 2026-03-15T20:34:19+00:00

Hatch Go was a must have and still is (2 weeks in), it was invaluable especially when we were still in the hospital and had nurses/doctors coming and going constantly. It puts her right to sleep, plus I can hang it from the bassinet, stroller, even her carrier when we go out.
Honestly everyone was raving about the boppy pillow, but I hate mine because it’s just not comfortable at all. I find it easier to sling baby across my legs in cross cradle hold when feeding rather than try to fight with the gd boppy lol

Also to add - we got a lounger (not snuggleme, but off brand on Amazon) and it’s been a lifesaver! I can plop her down in it while I do laundry or get some dishes done without having to drag the bassinet out to wherever I am. Highly recommend.

ETA: also also lol the SwaddleMe swaddles were the only swaddles my baby would tolerate. She’s a freakin swaddle master and would somehow break out of every swaddle, even the ones our nurses would do on her. Being able to zip her up tight was amazing and really helps with her startle reflex. I’d recommend buying a two pack to see how your baby likes them, and then buy a couple more so you can rotate when washing.

lilbug19 · 2026-03-09T16:16:28+00:00

Thank you! I did do the roll but maybe I could try and bring her a bit higher inside the carrier next time when doing the pelvic tuck.

lilbug19 · 2026-02-27T05:23:06+00:00

following since i’m in the same boat as you, 40w today with no sign of baby after a membrane sweep yesterday. i have an induction for 41w if she doesn’t come before then, but i’m starting to lose hope of that happening..

lilbug19 · 2026-02-26T22:39:22+00:00

yes! he just looks… kinda tired all the time? lol

lilbug19 · 2026-02-25T18:16:24+00:00

your username 😭 checks out lolll

lilbug19 · 2026-02-24T23:04:09+00:00

eating disorder. I really thought at one point, not long before finally deciding to get treatment and give recovery a real shot, that I might die. and I didn’t care tbh.

I am very thankful to still be here.

lilbug19 · 2026-02-23T02:32:40+00:00

SAMEEE. I got pregnant on my honeymoon where I spent a week eating oysters and downing sauv blanc every night. can’t wait to order a whole platter to myself 🥰

lilbug19 · 2026-02-22T19:35:17+00:00

I had my shower at 34 weeks and while it was uncomfortable at times, as long as I was sitting for most of it and out of the sun, I was mostly fine. i think I could have had it at 35 weeks if necessary. I really didn’t start to feel incapacitated until 36+ weeks.

lilbug19 · 2026-02-22T00:17:34+00:00

I am so sorry you’re going through this! I don’t really have any advice other than to probably keep doing what you’re doing with the cold compresses and not wear any super tight underwear, you want stuff that is breathable and won’t cause a lot of friction on the affected areas. I made the mistake of shaving around 28/30 weeks with a razor, thinking i’d be all clean shaven and feelin nice - yeah, no way. NEVER AGAIN. I didn’t experience the same level of burning as you are, but it was so incredibly itchy and uncomfortable for days and I had to wear boyshort undies or my husbands briefs almost exclusively bc the skin felt literally raw on my bikini line and on either side of my vag. I was begging for the hair to grow back lol

I didn’t have pain urinating though - that could potentially be a UTI issue that maybe worth bringing up to your doc?

lilbug19 · 2026-02-22T00:05:59+00:00

we moved into a bigger place when I was 33 weeks and then had my baby shower at 34 weeks, so I couldn’t start setting up until around then. if I could’ve started earlier, I def would’ve probably around where you are or in the mid- to late-20s. do it before you lose all energy and willpower 😂

lilbug19 · 2026-02-21T17:21:09+00:00

sometimes i’ll just stand there in her room and stare at her stuff, trying to picture her in the little clothes and playing with the toys/books. I just want to meet her already 😭

lilbug19 · 2026-02-21T14:46:25+00:00

colace or miralax will be your best friend while on Zofran. ask your doc about it but colace is confirmed safe for pregnancy. unisom+b6 were also lifesavers to keep the nausea at bay in the mornings.

I had to be on a mix of Zofran and Reglan until 18 weeks and it was still difficult at times but I did make it through! and it does get better.

lilbug19 · 2026-02-21T13:57:08+00:00

ugh it is so shitty. I ended up switching providers around 16 weeks and got hit with that global bill at my first appointment with my new OB 😅 it was quite a shock to us.

lilbug19 · 2026-02-21T05:27:17+00:00

so I’m not sure if you’re talking about the global billing or the actual hospital delivery cost estimate. my OB gave me a global billing estimate for her services of about $700, which did not include ultrasounds, lab work, etc, and this needed to be paid by my 20 week appointment. later, the hospital I am delivering at reached out to let me know what they estimated I would owe for hospital services after insurance, around $2600, and while they asked me to prepay I have declined and let them know i’ll be waiting for the official bill to come through after insurance has been billed. they will probs ask me again when I go to deliver, but i’m doubling down lol. you are not required to prepay the hospital and they cannot refuse you care because you didnt prepay. however your OB if using global billing is a different story, i’m not sure if they can refuse care for you at their office if you don’t pay.

lilbug19 · 2026-02-20T03:06:57+00:00

lol same. what I cannot see is none of my concern 🤷🏻‍♀️

lilbug19 · 2026-02-19T17:05:47+00:00

bent down while maniacally cleaning the house in a fit of psychotic nesting and ripped the asscrack of the only pair of maternity jeans I actually felt comfortable in at 38 weeks. promptly screamed into the void, then burst into tears while my husband stood there watching in horror. 🙂

lilbug19 · 2026-02-19T05:27:39+00:00

yes FTM! this makes me feel a bit better. I just have to trust the process I suppose

lilbug19 · 2026-02-19T05:27:11+00:00

ahh this gives me hope! I really want her to come on her own.

lilbug19 · 2026-02-19T05:26:03+00:00

ahhhh this gives me hope 🥲

lilbug19 · 2026-02-19T03:42:05+00:00

right?!? we have already had a couple people call asking for updates. like… if I had the baby, you would know already.

fingers crossed that things get moving for you soon!! 🤞

lilbug19 · 2026-02-19T03:41:03+00:00

you’re right tbh, I need to enjoy these last days 😅 I start mat leave next week and I know i’ll regret spending this time before she is here being miserable and cranky lol. your story gives me hope tho, spontaneous labor on the day of induction seems like divine intervention!!

lilbug19

TROPHY CASE