Many women worry about the baby 'getting stuck'. In reality this is rarely the case. For the baby to negotiate the birth canal it needs to have its' head tucked in to make the head the smallest possible diameter or width. The mother needs good strong contractions to push her baby down and out, the mother needs to mentally and emotionally 'let go' to facilitate the process And she needs to be given adequate time to achieve this.
Being told that your baby is 'big' is an estimation that could be correct but is more often than not incorrect. The impact of this statement on a woman can overwhelmingly undermine her ability to push her baby out. The mother invariably feels "How am I ever going to get this baby out?" She may feel there are little to no option other than having an early induction or a Caesarean birth when in reality these are rarely beneficial. You may wish to read more in
large babies.
What if I can't do this?
Pregnant women often raise the thought of "I don't know my pain threshold". If you have never had to deal with any major type of physical pain or you feel you don't cope with pain very well you may find it hard to believe you can deal with labour. Some women worry about what their partners will think of them if they can't do it.
Many women are surprised with their ability to deal with labour, once in it. Positive thoughts of doing it to bring their baby into the world motivate them to deal with the pain. Other women are shocked by the unexpected intensity of their labour and feel that nothing could have prepared them for it. It is best to take it as it comes because until you are in it you will not know.
We suggest that you communicate these concerns with your partner and / or support person or a trusted friend. Try not to think about it as a competition in terms of success or failure. Your body has done the most amazing task of growing another human being, and in the years to come you will nurture and parent this person.