Anastasia’s pregnancy diary – weeks 28–30

I have harboured this fear of Caesareans for some time. Now that I have uncovered evidence that pain relief can contribute to my worst nightmare, it looks like I’ll have to be a pillow-biting martyr and try to face the birth experience without drugs. I say this now, having no idea what the pain will be like, but in my own personal birth plan, I cannot justify intending to have the epidural if it means I’m setting myself up for possible interventions that I find unacceptable.

Setting myself up for failure?

I share this information with Nick and then secretly wonder if I should have kept my mouth shut. What if I am a complete pain-wimp and scream for drugs after my first Braxton-Hicks contraction? What if I simply cannot get through labour without pain relief? What if I end up being forced to have the dreaded Caesarean after all? I guess this brings my train of thought full-circle. I must try to keep my expectations open-minded and recognise that labour is one thing over which I won’t have much control. That, and the rest of my life after the little one is born.

See Josa Young's pregnancy diary for weeks 28-30.