Being pregnant can be an incredible experience.
But it can also be a terrifying one, especially if you’ve never given birth before.
Even with TV shows like One Born Every Minute, and blog after blog about parenting and what to expect when you’re expecting, many mums-to-be still can’t know exactly what’s around the corner.
That’s why one mum has taken to social media to assure pregnant women that even though being pregnant is sometimes scary, it is normal to “fear birth.”
Laura Mazza wrote:
“I know the horror stories scare you. I know if you are like I was, you might even fear that you won’t come out of it alive. Labour is a scary word. It’s hard work, there’s a reason it’s called labour.
“It’s normal to fear birth, it’s normal to worry about you and your baby. Human beings are the only species that doubt our ability to give birth.”
The blogger then went on to describe her first experience of giving birth and how she felt “vulnerable” because it wasn’t easy.
Mazza suggested that women should do what’s best for them when it comes to giving birth – not anybody else.
She said:
“If you want to go with a 5-page birth plan because anxiety is getting to you. Do it.
“If you want to take pain relief. Do it.
“If you want to feel every bit of it because you can, do it.
“If trauma has hurt you, and you want a cesarean. Do it.”
The mum goes on to say that no one has the right to tell you what’s better for your own body.
She wrote that things not going entirely to plan is okay, because you still “… did what’s best to get your baby here safely, and what a selfless sacrifice that is.”
“There’s nothing wrong with having a cesarean. There’s nothing wrong with a vaginal birth.
“Whether you birth in a bath, or a hospital, whether you have a VBAC or drugs. There is nothing wrong. What is wrong is when a mother is judged unfairly.”
Mazza finished her message by saying that women deserve to be celebrated no matter how they choose to bring their children into the world.
“Birth is normal, fear is normal, and you, never underestimate yourself, because you mama, you are powerful.”
