Unknown factors can cause fear levels to rise. However, fear isn’t all bad. Talking about what scares you creates an opportunity to make choices that can help alleviate those concerns and put in place strategies to help you have a more positive experience.

Here’s a list of the Top 5 birth fears that we hear from women all the time:

1. Will I poo?

This is the number 1 question asked in my childbirth classes. The answer is usually yes! Pooing is a normal part of birth. It is a sign that the baby is moving down into the pelvis and closer to being born. Most women don't even realise they have done a poo as they are so focused on pushing their baby out. There is no need to worry as Midwives are on the poo look out and well trained in preserving your dignity. It’s usually cleaned up and out of there before you or anyone notices.

2. Will my partner ever see me as sexy again if he looks ‘down there'?

In my experience, most men at birth are in absolute awe at what their woman is doing. Watching a woman work hard and go through childbirth often ignites a new respect and belief for her. If you are worried about what your partner might see down there just ask him to stay up near your head and support you there.

3. Dying

Whether it’s the fear of herself or the baby dying, this can be a common worry for many women. It is a very normal response to an unknown situation that is often beyond your control. Of course there are no guarantees in anything in life, but the bottom line is we have excellent health care in Australia. Significant gains have been made over the past century to improve the safety of pregnancy and childbirth. We are now ranked the 4th safest country in the world in which to give birth. In other words, it is much more likely you will have a safe delivery.

4. Pain

This is a big one! What if I can't cope with the pain? Pain in labour isn't a bad thing as it indicates that your body is working hard to birth your baby. Learning some good breathing techniques can really help you cope in labour. Remember that pain is also subjective. What is excruciating for one woman isn't that bad for another – so try not to project what it might be based on someone else's birth experience. And if breathing, relaxation, baths and support don't help – there are always drugs.

5. Getting to the hospital on time

Before you map out the quickest route to the hospital and visualise running red lights, it’s good to know that in Australia only 0.04% of babies are ‘Born before Arrival.’ These are usually second and third babies. Babies that come quickly usually just deliver themselves. If you aren’t near your place of birth and need to push, call an ambulance, get on your hands and knees and stick your bum up in the air – it slows everything down. Ambos are great at catching babies and the positive is that you’ll have a great story to tell!

Giving birth, no matter how you choose to do it, is an amazing experience. Turn that fear into motivation and fill yourself up with great birth stories. Get educated and prepare yourself with the tools and resources to pull on for the big day. All this action can all help dissolve those fears and put you in the right headspace for an awesome journey.