Problem: Article: Even though this is your second birth, a childbirth class can still be beneficial. Picking one for women who want VBACs will help you learn more about the process and what to expect so that you feel calmer and better prepared. It also readies you for the possibility of needing an emergency C-section.  Ask your doctor if they can recommend a VBAC-specific class. Include your partner in the class if possible. Don't be afraid to ask questions! Everyone has questions about the process, and if you've never given birth vaginally, you should have your questions answered, particularly if you're feeling a bit nervous. If you want to have a VBAC, the best place to do it is in a hospital. A hospital is equipped to deal with any complications that may happen, such as a ruptured uterus. If you're at home, it could take too long for you to get appropriate medical care. While it's common to want to speed up the process of giving birth with medications, it's actually detrimental when you're having a VBAC. If your doctor suggests medications, ask if you can wait. Medications can make your contractions stronger. Stronger contractions increase your chances of a uterine rupture. Uterine ruptures can happen in early labor, so you should be vigilant. Bleeding from the vagina, sharp pain after every contraction, and abdominal tenderness are all symptoms.  You may also notice that your contractions slow down or that they become less intense at the incision site from your previous C-section.  If this happens to you, don't panic. Call 9-1-1 to get yourself to hospital as soon as possible so they can handle the situation. With a VBAC, your birth will go like any vaginal birth. Since this is your second or third birth, your doctor can advise you about when to head to the hospital. When you should head in is different for every mother, based on things like your dilation at your last appointment, your baby's position, and your health status.  Second births tend to go faster than first births. Typically, if your contractions are coming about 5 to 7 minutes apart and are lasting for 30 seconds to a minute or so, you're going into labor. Real contractions tend to get more intense as you go along, as opposed to Braxton Hicks contractions, which can ease up after a while. Even in the best case scenario, you may end up needing an emergency C-section. This, of course, is not a failure on your part, and it may be necessary to save you or the baby. Unforeseen complications are a factor with any birth and may have nothing to do with your attempt at a VBAC. Umbilical or placenta problems, preeclampsia (high blood pressure leading to organ damage), breech positioning, or unprogressing labor often require an emergency cesarean.
Summary: Pick a childbirth class that focuses on having a VBAC. Avoid having the baby at home or in a birthing center. Ask if you can skip medications to induce labor. Watch for symptoms of a uterine scar rupture. Call your doctor when your water breaks. Prepare mentally for an emergency C-section.

Problem: Article: Having a clear understanding of your anxiety will help you reduce it. Jot down a few reasons why you feel nervous about your speech. Try to dig into specific reasons. For example, if you write down that you’re worried that you’ll look stupid in front of a crowd, think about why you think you’ll look stupid. Is it because you worry that your information is wrong? Once you know this, you can spend more time researching and learning your topic. When you think negative thoughts about yourself and your performance, your anxiety will grow. If you don’t have confidence in yourself, you may think, how will your audience have confidence in you? When you catch yourself thinking negatively, stop yourself. Replace it with a positive thought.  For example, you might think, “I’ll forget my entire speech. I don’t know what I’m doing.” Stop this thought and replace it with, “I know my topic. I’ve done lots of research. Plus, I will have my speech written down and I can look at it when I need to. And if I stumble over a few places, that’s okay.” The fear of public speaking is known as glossophobia. About 80% of the population gets anxious about speaking in public. This group feels nervous, has clammy hands, has a racing heartbeat, and feels jittery. Know that it’s perfectly normal to feel this way before a speech. While it can be an uncomfortable experience, know that you will get through it. And each time you give a speech, you’ll get more accustomed to the experience.
Summary:
Write down reasons why you’re anxious. Quiet your inner critic. Know that you’re not alone.