Aston Lukoye
When pregnant, we attend all free prenatal classes, watch every content on childbirth, read every pregnancy self-help book, and do not forget to pick up every free pamphlet.
The biggest question is, is one ever fully ready for childbirth? This is because one always has endless questions, especially for first-time mums. Still, even those who have delivered before can attest every pregnancy and childbirth is different, no matter the number of times.
There are several things that even your friends, mum, grandma and their local groups will not tell you about childbirth.
1. You can do it.
The first thing you can be sure of is that you can make it. There are different experiences for different women during childbirth, and they have made it. So, worry not, do not freak out but at the same time, expect anything.
2. Exercise during pregnancy
Eat proper nutritious food and regular exercise. However, it would be best to be careful with the exercises to avoid harming yourself or the child. Exercising will keep you and the child healthy and relax your muscles for pushing.
3. Your nipples can bleed, and breastfeeding can hurt
It does not happen to everyone, but breastfeeding can be challenging even if you have done it before.
4. There is a probability of peeing/pooping on yourself during birth
For one undeniable reason—the muscles you use for pushing are the same ones you use for going to the bathroom again—you can feel as though you have to poop when you’re in labor. This is the perfect poop storm because it causes additional pressure on your rectum as your baby passes through your birth canal.
However, you can be sure to be the last thing in your mind because more essential things shall be happening then.
5. You probably won’t be allowed to eat when in labor
Most women are limited to clear liquids or ice chips. This is primarily because of the probability of a caesarean section; no one is sure how they will deliver until they do.
If you are under general anaesthesia, doctors are preventing you from aspirating or getting food in your airways.
6. A lot of people will look between your legs
This depends on where you’ll give birth. One or two care providers can do so in a smaller hospital, at home or at a birth center. In more prominent hospitals, at least six people are probable; one or two nurses, depending on how long your delivery lasts, a midwife, physical assistants, the doctor on call, and several medical residents.
There will be a seemingly random flow of people entering and leaving the room during your entire labor period, especially when you are pushing. There are usually a few nurses there for each delivery, and the doctor, if one is on duty, will arrive to deliver the child in the last few minutes.
Since there’s a chance they won’t be present on your big day, it’s probably a good idea to ask your doctor during one of your prenatal sessions how they handle deliveries. Knowing that in advance will prevent disappointment. However, every hospital is different.
7. You might push for a longer time
Pushing can take even three hours, especially with the first child. Childbirth education classes shall help you learn coping classes.
8. Contractions/ labor pains may be more painful than the push
Also, it’s essential to learn that labor pain is more intense than period pain. Early in labor, you could spend most of your time in the bathroom trying to go, but nothing comes out. If the baby is pressing on your bladder, you can feel the need to urinate more frequently. Exercises for the pelvic floor are crucial since they will aid with bladder control once the baby is born.
9. The baby’s heart rate may drop
It is not uncommon for the umbilical cord to be compressed or stretched during labor and delivery, which could lead to a slight decline in fetal heart rate. A continuous electric fetal monitor will notify your medical team of the change if you are hooked up to it.
The decrease in heart rate could, however, indicate something serious.
10. Your birth plan could change
Have an open mind set on this to avoid disappointments. You might expect to do normal delivery, but something happens, and you must go for a caesarian section.
Depending on your current condition, some choices will be so sudden that you never thought possible.
11. You have to deliver your placenta
After delivering your child, you have to push out your placenta too. Within a few minutes of giving birth, the placenta, the organ that provided your baby with oxygen and nutrition during your pregnancy, is typically delivered; don’t worry, it normally doesn’t hurt!
However, to assist your womb contract so that all the blood arteries in the womb seal off once the placenta comes away, you might also receive an oxytocin injection in your thigh.
According to the midwives, this is “the active management of the third stage of labor.” The contractions might still be unpleasant even if the placenta slides out. The midwife ensures there is no placenta left inside.
12. You will probably be stitched down there
this happens after episiotomy cuts and are done one hour after your childbirth. The stitches help reduce the bleeding and should heal a month after delivery. The doctor advices you to avoid activities to fasten the healing.
13. Your stomach could remain big even after giving birth
Even after giving birth, most women will still look 4-5 months pregnant. For those unfortunate enough to have required any form of saline, your stomach will resemble a prune and bounce like jelly, making you appear bloated and bulging. Exercise and tying your belly, as well as healthy eating, will reduce the tummy.
14. It is normal to wear adult diapers
This is mainly when the mother has excessive bleeding after childbirth. Over time, the flow could be lighter and now use normal pads.
15. If you have a C-section, the catheter could stay put for a bit
When having a c-section, doctors put a catheter in your bladder to measure your urine output and prevent you from getting up and going to the bathroom the first night after surgery. If they are worried about the amount of urine or if there might have been scarring, they could leave it for longer than the first night.
Also, you will be given a catheter if you decide to get an epidural that day. An epidural is a treatment performed in the first stage of labor to ease discomfort during labor and delivery.
To stop pain from contractions, local anaesthetic is injected in the region around the spinal nerves in your lower back. You will need the catheter because epidurals block the nerves in the lower part of the body and are administered with around a litre of water, which will cause you to desire to urinate.
It mainly causes your legs to be weak; thus, you need to remain in bed so that your and your baby’s health is observed.
You will already be given anaesthesia, so don’t worry; which will be taken away once you are fully dilated and prepared to push.
16. You may end up receiving Pitocin
Pitocin is an intravenous form of oxytocin, a natural hormone in a woman’s body to aid uterine contractions during labor. It is given to pregnant women when they are past due. This is because their contractions aren’t moving along, or the baby needs to be delivered quickly.
The contractions can begin precisely 30 seconds after the drip is inserted and after one is fully dilated in about an hour, and the baby could be delivered an hour later.
If you are offered this Pitocin induction, please consider getting an epidural.
17. Before you take any drugs to relieve pain, consult about the side effects
Some drugs make one tired and sick to the point pushing on to the final stages could be a problem. Some also affect breastfeeding the child, so be aware of the side effects of each drug you take.
18. Your hair could fall out
The estrogen hormone prolongs hair development during pregnancy, making it appear thick, lustrous, and stunning. After enjoying this during the nine months of pregnancy, the drawback of giving birth is that estrogen levels fall and hair bunches together. You notice that hair begins to thin after giving birth, sometimes in clumps. However, it is encouraging to learn that it will eventually grow back with a good diet and hair care plan.
It is a typical side effect of childbirth. Postpartum hair loss should regrow within a year after giving birth, as it is typical and transitory.
19. Your first bowel movement after childbirth could be terrifying
This would be because of the pains from birth, especially if the vagina were torn during delivery. Drinking a lot of water and eating whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables will help heal the wound and soften the stool, making it easier to pass.
20. You could give birth on the side if you suffer from Sciatica and Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (S.P.D.)
Compression of the sciatic nerve, which descends from the lower back to each leg, causes sciatica, mainly in the second and third trimesters, when the baby is bigger and exerts more pressure on the nerve.
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (S.P.D.), a pelvic issue, on the other hand, is caused by swelling and soreness during pregnancy, making the symphysis joint less stable.
In conclusion, after giving birth, there is a reason why every woman experiences a mixture of wonder and a sense that nothing was ever warned of. This is because you have never experienced anything like giving birth, and you can imagine bringing another human into the world!! Amazing.
You are capable of this. Nothing is too hard.
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