Hi All,

Just wanted to get this off my chest.... I read on here everyday but haven't posted much recently. I am 38 weeks tomorrow and I am really starting to feel pressure from the medical profession about natural birth and breast feeding. This is my first baby and as I have never been through this before I am so confused. All I hear about is natural birth and just using water with gas and air. I went to a breatfeeding class today and I now feel under huge pressure to do this.... Really don't know how I am going to cope. I have always wanted to try breatfeeding but now I feel like I have to no matter what.

Just want to sit and cry. I am not the best person at speaking up for myself and I am worried that midvives will be annoyed if I asked for pain relief and then what if I do not like breast feeding and cant cope. No one at the hospital has even spoken to me about bottle feeding/formula.. ( I really want to do what is best for my baby and me)

Has anyone else felt like this???

Leeanne and big bump xxx

..you sound a little bit stressed, so firstly chillax it's not good for you! It's all up to you babe. No one can judge or look down on you for the choices you make. And sometimes the choices you make don't even happen (through no fault of your own) I was intent on having a water birth and I was deffo going to bottle feed.

I am a strong minded person and I can understand how you might feel as I got the impression from ante natal classes that breast feeding was the only option. I argued my case for formula all the way as I wasn't about to be told what to do by anyone. As I was having this water birth I was going to use that as pain relief and pethidine if it got too bad.

Anyway, I was two weeks early so never made it to the birthing place, had to have him in hospital. I was totally unprepared (my hospital bag by the time we got round to opening it had my tankini in there, stopwatch, fluids for drinking, spray for the face etc, what a joke!) No one in the hospital helped me with him after I had him and I was made to feel that I had to breast feed as no one offered me any formula (and I never took any in as I was told they would provide it for me) I hadn't listened in the breast feeding class as I didn't want to do it, so it was a quick reality check and I had to learn fast!

It worked out ok as I am still breast feeding now (he's 10 weeks) and I only had gas and air for pain relief (and it was fine)

Coming from someone who was totally ANTI breast feeding, I would say to give it a go at first and see how you get on, if you find it's not for you, you can use the formula. I would put a couple of the ready made cartons in your bag with the bottles sterilised nearer the time so you won't be made to feel uncomfortable by asking for the hospitals milk all the time (which is how the other girls felt that I shared the room with) also, at least you're not relying on someone else to get your babies milk for you.

As for pain relief, they are probably encouraging natural to save on costs, have what the bloomin eck you feel you need. Don't be frightened to speak up either....it's your right!

Good luck and I'll be thinking of you x x

Jen & Roman
x x

I am stressing a bit today. I have always wanted to try breast feeding but I am just worried after today that I won't be able to cope. Will keep you updated. Suppose I am just panicking that very soon I am going to have a little baby to look after, eventhough me and hubby can't wait.

Thanks again.

x

just ignore it, it is your body and if you want pain relief they have to give you it. they were all for me having drugs bu wouldnt give me an epidural ... !!!!

they were fine with me re breastfeeding cos that what i started doingbut when i switched to formula they wer also really helpful and actually suggested i did it! you stick to your guns girl, its your aby not theirs!!

I agree with you guys, honestly huni, do what you think is right! Don't let yourself be influenced by other peoples thoughts and views if your views are totally the opposite. Of course take things on board and think about it but if your not entirely confident and comfortable with breastfeeding then thats fine.
Personally, i was so against the idea of breast feeding at first, but with reading a few books and listening to a few friends, i thought i wasnt going to rule it out. So im gonna give it a go and see how it works for me. Its not the end of the world if you cant, theres always bottle!!

Good luck huni and trust your instincts.

Jodie 37+2 wks xxx