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Dear Melanie, I wish there were words to help you over your anxiety, but all first time moms experience it. Do you remember when you were waiting for Christmas (or another holiday) and you couldn't wait for your present? How about approaching labor that way. I know it sounds simplistic, but if you look at each hour as one "day" closer you can remain somewhat focused. Explain to the nurses caring for you that you have panic attacks and must be continually rea__sured during labor and re-focused when necessary. I suggest you get a beautiful picture (large enough to see across the room) or a statue or something of meaning to you and place it in a position where you can see it easily, whenever you feel you need help to quell your panic you can zero in on that object and say a prayer or count or just breathe. Make that your center and go back to it whenever you feel the going is getting rough. Good luck, wish there was something we could do. I am an extremely anxious person who got through my labor without so much as a word...it ended with a c-section, but I still never lost control or had panic be an issue. You will be working hard, get your center and practice focusing on it from now until Wednesday. God Bless you and your little baby, YOU ARE GOING TO SHINE!!!!!

DJH, thank you so much for that...that really lifts my spirits...i just need rea__surance sometimes. something that i really love and that calms me are my animals (i have a dog now since i just moved out of my parents house....but i have 2 cats there that i adore). I think i will bring large pictures of them for comfort and to focus on, like you suggested. Im glad to hear that you got through labor with a breeze.....i hope i do too. Thanks so much for your care and advice.......

It's not exactly easy, but the thing that calmed me down was just knowing that there was no way out of it. It was as if my subconcious just said, well, there's no way back so I guess we'll just go forward. Strange, I know, but there you go. I guess just don't stress about it because, well, what are your options, really? Hope it's great, I know it will be over before you know it!!!

hiya,how are you doing?Listen,please once you had the baby,come back and tell us about it.That was good advice to focus,remember that the nurses are there to help,don't feel embarressed at what may happen in labour,you know your need to go a loo or whatever,it is all natural,and these nurses have seen it all before.Are you having an epidural?What are your plans?If you are as anxious as you say,they may do a c-section if you prefer,anything to make it easier for you.

Melanie, great idea about pictures of your animals! May I also suggest a photo of a very calm place? Some people feel this is worthless, but its not, you see, it is not the pictures or objects that have any mystical power, it is YOU and YOUR mind...I am not some weirdo who dances naked in the backyard chanting, but I am a nursing student and know how incredibly powerful your body and mind are. Please let us know as soon as you are able how things went. No one is silly enough to promise you that you won't work incredibly hard, and will probably get scared and such, but you are strong enough to decide to take on responsibility for another human being so of course you can do this, right??? Much love and let us know! Oh, careful of the c-section advice, some meds they administer may make a panic attack more likely to happen, so stick with your birth plan and go for it!!!

hey im 14/f i gave birth earlier today (baby sleepng beside me at the mo) i was scared about labour too but mine only went for 4 hours and it wasnt barely as bad as i imagined!!

To Jess, congratulations, dear one. You are so young...will you have plenty of help with raising your tiny one? I am happy your birth went so well, for your body hasn't even finished growing. You are a trooper and should be very proud you delivered a healthy baby. Please take care and use the wisdom of those around you who are older and more experienced. Good luck with your baby. To Melanie21225: WELL????? Have you had your baby yet? I sure hope all is well with you.

I'm also so SCARED!!! I have 9 weeks to go and am having panic attacks already. Let me know how it goes Melanie, maybe you can calm my nerves!!:) Good luck.

I was the oposite, so excited to go into labor. I won't be as excited next time! It was the hardest thing I've ever done but you know what? You get through it and you'll do it again. I can't even remember what a contraction feels like now.

I will NEVER forget what a contraction feels like!!! lol.....I will have to think long and hard before have another! lol

Hi, I was wondering how yuo were doing melanie, I am due tomorrow (20th), and was having panic attacks also. I think I might have calmed myself down though, I just keep telling myself, It can't last forever, It will be over, i am still extremely scared but I have come to deal with the fact that it has to happen, i know its gonna hurt, but it will all be over before you know it.

Hello everyone, its Melanie! Im sorry that I have taken so long to get back to everyone (and to you, DJH)...I went into labor on the 13th (my due date) and i was totally relaxed. i couldnt believe it. my water broke at 4:00 pm and then i went to the hospital and had my little boy at 11:09 pm. Contractions got really hard, but i was so into the work at hand that i had no time to really panic and freak out. I did wind up getting an epidural at 10 cm though, hehe...im not sure why. it wasnt very effective and i still felt a lot of pain. but in the end, even though labor was superhard work, i am SO happy now and i couldnt ever be happier. I am really proud of myself for getting through labor so well. i would have never thought i could have done it...and look at me now. I wish everyone luck and just know that you CAN get through it, even with panic/anxiety. Its just a natural thing and the end result is something to make anyone smile :) Thanks to everyone for responding to me. Especially DJH. You were a big help to me. Merry Xmas..

Praise God!!! I am so unbelievably happy for you Melanie! You are ent_tled to be proud. I wish I had your birth story, unfortunately mine all had to be c-sections due to a juvenile pelvis, but I guess I can live vicariously through your wonderful triumph. I can't believe you went all that way without the epi, you are one strong lady. What are the stats on your precious little man? Name? Weight? Length? I think you now are qualified to lend advice and loving support to other first-time moms who have panic/anxiety issues don't you? I am so glad I was able to help even a little bit even though I ended up with c-sections...since I am a nursing student it is good to know I didn't lead you astray with any of my "advice". I guess even with all we know medically it sometimes just comes down to experience and loving one another enough to care and support each other. Merry Christmas to you and a very happy FIRST Christmas for wee one.