Being that your due date isn’t that far off, I think I know how you’re feeling right now. If there ever were a time for a mix of emotions, now certainly is it. You’re probably excited, anxious, tired and a bazillion other things all at once, right? That’s totally normal. Show
No woman could ever go into giving birth 100 percent fully prepared and in-the-know of what’s going to happen, but here are a few things I wish someone had told me before the birth of my first child. Hopefully, it will help you in these final days. 1. You can do it.Before we get down to the nitty-gritty, I’d like to start by saying you’ve got this. Seriously. You may be nervous and you may have heard different stories from friends — and friends of friends — but keep in mind that women have been doing this since the dawn of time and the work you put into it will be so worth it for what you will gain. 2. Prepare — but don’t over-prepare.Although it certainly doesn't hurt to make a birth plan (and it might help you feel more prepared and empowered), there’s approximately a 1 percent chance that your birth is going to go exactly as planned. Just like everything in life, things come up and you may find yourself having to make decisions you never even considered. That’s what makes everyone’s experience unique. Of course, you don’t want to waltz into the maternity ward without the faintest idea of what’s about to happen, but you want to be flexible with your vision. With my first, I brought a strict birth plan with me to the hospital. You know how much of it I stuck to? Basically none. With my second, I went in with an “anything can happen” attitude, and it was a much more pleasant experience that left me with zero feelings of guilt that I deviated from a specific plan. 3. You’re probably not going to give birth in the car on the way to the hospital.Despite what you’ve seen in the movies, it’s doubtful that you’re not going to make it to the hospital or birthing center on time. In fact, especially if it’s your first pregnancy, you may find yourself hanging out at home for a while, trying to find ways to kill time while you’re in early labor but before your contractions begin getting more frequent and more intense (and you notice a pattern), and it’s time to head to the hospital. (Of course, always call your practitioner if you notice signs of labor, and they can have you come in if there's any uncertainty.) 4. But on that note, you might get sent home.It’s not uncommon for a mom — particularly a first-time mom — to get sent home after arriving at the hospital ready to give birth. Despite the fact that your contractions, which often feel like intense menstrual cramps, may be getting stronger, you still may have a ways to go if there haven’t been any changes in your cervix. 5. Stop worrying about pooping!Of all the things you haven’t heard about labor, you’ve probably heard about this: Pooping. When you’re in labor, you may feel like you have to poop (and, yes, you may poop) for a very simple reason: The same muscles you engage when you're going number two are the ones you use for pushing. That, coupled with the fact that there’s extra pressure on your rectum while your baby moves through your birth canal is, well, the perfect poop storm. Most women are worried about pooping during labor, but ask any mom and they’ll tell you: They so didn’t care about whether or not they pooped once they were pushing. Seriously, it will be the furthest thing from your mind (and your doctor’s) during labor. 6. You might want your partner to leave you alone.No matter how lovey-dovey you and your partner were during your pregnancy, active and transitional labor is no joke. During your contractions, you may feel sick, sweaty, tired or just annoyed — and you may not want to be touched. Do whatever feels right for you in the moment, and trust that your partner (you know the person who’s not giving birth) will understand. 7. There will be quite a few people in and out of the room.During all phases of your labor and especially when you’re pushing, there will be seemingly random people in and out of the room. Typically, there are a few nurses per delivery, and the doctor, if they're on shift, will come in at the end to deliver the baby. It’s probably not a bad idea to talk to your doctor about how they handle deliveries during one of your prenatal appointments, since there’s a chance they may not be there on your big day. It’s better to learn that beforehand than be disappointed. 8. You give “birth” twice.After you deliver your baby, you’re technically not done. You still have your placenta to deliver. Typically, the placenta, the organ that gave your baby oxygen and nutrients during your pregnancy, is delivered within a few minutes of giving birth — and don’t worry, it usually doesn’t hurt! 9. It will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced in life.There’s a reason every woman feels somewhat shocked and like nobody warned her about anything after she gives birth: Really, there’s no way to describe it. Giving birth is unlike anything you will have experienced before in life (in the best way possible), and you will be a better person for it. Also, you get your baby in the end. Is there anything in this world better than that? Got all that? I know, it’s a lot to absorb. But if you take one thing away from this letter, let it be this: You’ve got this. Your body was designed to accomplish so many amazing things, including giving birth to a baby. You have nothing to worry about. Soon you’ll learn that you are so much more incredible than you ever knew.Pregnancy > Labor & Delivery Once your labor is complete, you've graduated to the second stage of childbirth: It's time to push and deliver. You're almost there! You're almost at the finish line (or more accurately, baby is) — but getting there is going to take a bit of pushing. Up until this point, you haven't been able to do much to speed along the process of childbirth, but things are about to change. With cervical dilation complete, it's time to help your baby through the birth canal by pushing. How long does it take to push baby out?In all, delivery generally takes 30 minutes to an hour, but it could take as long as three hours, especially in first babies (second and subsequent babies usually pop out a lot faster), or as short as a few minutes. What will you feel when it's time to push during labor?During this stage, your contractions should be more regular than the contractions in transitional (advanced) labor. They are still about 60 to 90 seconds each but are further apart (usually two to five minutes) and possibly less intense, though sometimes they’re more intense. You should now notice a well-defined rest period between them, though you may still have trouble recognizing the onset of each contraction. Common in the second stage (though you’ll definitely feel a lot less — and you may feel nothing at all — if you’ve had an epidural):
How to push during laborYou may now feel relieved that you can start pushing (though it’s totally normal to feel embarrassed, inhibited, scared or even frustrated, especially if it’s taking longer than you anticipated). It’s time to get this baby out. To get going, you'll move into the pushing position of your choice and, following the instructions of your practitioner or the hospital or birthing center staff, you'll push at regular intervals, usually three times with each contraction, or as you feel the urge. You might want to rest for one contraction if you're getting tired. Here are some more pushing tips to try:
What is your medical team doing while you're pushing?While you’re pushing, the nurses and/or practitioner will give you support and direction while continuing to monitor baby’s heartbeat (with a Doppler or fetal monitor). They’ll also prepare for delivery by spreading sterile drapes and arranging instruments, donning surgical garments and gloves, and sponging your perineal area with antiseptic. If necessary — though these procedures are performed rarely these days — they’ll perform an episiotomy (fortunately only in very rare instances) or use vacuum extraction or forceps. Once your baby's head is out:
What happens after delivery?The nurses and/or a pediatrician will evaluate your baby’s condition and rate it on the Apgar scale at one and five minutes after birth. Your baby will get a brisk rubdown, and both you and baby will receive an identifying band. Baby will be weighed, have ointment placed in his or her eyes (to prevent infection) and wrapped to prevent heat loss. (In some hospitals and birthing centers, some of these procedures may be omitted; in others, many will be attended to later, so you can have more time to bond with your newborn.) Then assuming all is well, you’ll get your baby back and you may, if you wish, begin breastfeeding (but don’t worry if you and/or your baby don’t catch on immediately. Later, it’s off to the nursery for baby for a more complete pediatric exam and some routine protective procedures (including a heel stick, vitamin K injection and a hepatitis B shot). Once baby’s temperature is stable, he or she will get a first bath, which you may be able to help give. If you’re rooming-in, your baby will be returned to you as soon as possible and tucked into a bassinet next to your bed.Was this article helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Find advice, support and good company (and some stuff just for fun). The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. © 2022 Everyday Health, Inc A property of |