Pregnant and anxious about giving birth? I don’t blame ya mama, this article is going to give you an insight on what happens during labor and birth in a hospital. When I first got pregnant, everybody was giving me advice on how to take care for myself while pregnant and telling me not to worry about being a mom because it was going to come naturally and it was going to be great.
I asked my mom and my aunts about labor and all they used to do is assured me not to worry about it that everything was going to be fine. They would tell me that I would get contractions and that it was going to be a little painful but once I get the epidural, everything was going to be smooth sailing from there on. Lies they tell! ha!
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When you’re pregnant, you dream about holding your baby and how your new family will be like. You do not think about the birth aspect until you are probably in your third trimester, then all these questions pop in your head and you ask your mom, mom friends, family members and even strangers about what happens during labor. They will most likely sugar coat the answers because let’s face it no one wants to scare a pregnant woman with the real truth.
I hope this article of what happens during labor and birth is helpful and informational. These are the things that you may expect when giving birth in a hospital.
15 things that happens during labor and birth that nobody tells you about:
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1.Personality change
You will get all kinds of crazy, seriously. Those contractions are no joke and you will literally go insane. For my first pregnancy I did not feel the contractions that much. Because I immediately got an epidural. But for my twin’s birth it was a whole different story.
I felt every contraction and I was not in a great mood. Things like, telling my hubby to stand next to me and then the minute he did, I would tell him to leave me alone. I was also voicing out my pain to the doctors, something I said I was never going to do.
2. Needles
When you are in labor, you will get poked more than once and it’s not fun at all. You will most likely have an IV which isn placed in your veins on your hands. Also, if you are planning on getting an epidural, than that’s another needle and it is placed near the spinal column.
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3. Blood pressure machine
You will have a blood pressure machine stick to you like glue. The blood pressure machine was my BFF for some time. The nurses will be taking your blood pressure a couple of times during the day after you give birth as well. Also before giving birth you will hear and see you and your baby’s heart rate levels in a machine right next to your bed. Just to make sure everything is okay with you and your baby.
4. A lot of different doctors
What happens during labor and birth? Well, you will see a lot of unfamiliar faces asking you questions and making you sign a lot of documents that are all hospital related. The nurses, the anesthesiologist, doctors and so on. Your OBGYN will not be the only doctor or medical professional that you will see during your labor and delivery.
Read this next:
15 THINGS THAT HAPPENS DURING THE FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER GIVING BIRTH
14 EXCELLENT WAYS TO FEEL MORE LIKE YOURSELF AFTER HAVING A BABY
5. Doctors break your water
Doctors might indeed break your water in order to speed up labor and to make your contractions “stronger”. Just pray that you already have the epidural because if not, it will not be pleasant!
6. Only one person in the delivery room
For the most part your doctor will only allow one person in the room with you when you are ready to start pushing(If having a C-section, only one person is allowed). This is for health reasons and for your own good. You need to be in a calm state of mind and if you allow your entire family inside the room, you will not be calm and they might even make you more nervous.
If you’re planning to breastfeed, now’s the time to take an online breastfeeding class. Learning how to breastfeed before baby is born will help you have a more successful experience.
7. Numbness after epidural
Once you get an epidural, you will feel numb from your waist down and you will not even feel your toes move. Epidural is a serious drug and works immediately, which I was thankful for during both of my labor.
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8. Catheter
If you are planning to get an epidural or a C-section you will have a catheter on. I did not know this at all! It’s a little uncomfortable when they insert it in and when it’s being removed, but you will live. Since the epidural numbs you from your waist down, you will not feel when you have to go pee, so this is your bestfriend until after you give birth and it’s safe to be removed.
9. Perineal tear
A perineal tear is basically an unintended tear of the skin and soft tissues that separates the vagina from the anus of a woman. This happens when you have a vaginal birth and can occur to some women. This happened to me with my first pregnancy and it was very uncomfortable to say the least. You will get stitches for it and after a couple of days it will fall off, no need to go back to your doctor to remove it. Just make sure you do not lift anything heavy or bend down because you want to heal as soon as possible.
Read this next:
12 SERIOUSLY HELPFUL AND QUICK WAYS TO HEAL FROM AN EPISIOTOMY OR VAGINAL TEAR
20 THINGS YOU MUST PACK IN YOUR HOSPITAL BAG FOR A SCHEDULED C-SECTION
10. The Poop situation
So let’s talk about the poop that you hear so much about and are afraid to death that it will actually happen to you. I have to admit this happened to me, yes girl me! I am not embarrassed at all, and I can tell you the story and how it happened a million of times. Honestly it’s part of the whole birthing experience and whether it happened to you or not who cares! Actually you will not even feel when you are pooping because again you are numb from the epidural. The only way you will know is if your doctor or hubby tells you that you did in fact poop!
11. No eating allowed
Once you are in the labor and delivery room you are not allowed to eat. Maybe just popsicles, water and ice, which sort of sucks because you will still be pregnant and very hungry. So I am just warning you here before you go all crazy on your supportive partner who is just trying to follow the doctors rule of not giving you anything else to eat. Also, this might help you not poop!
12. You might Vomit
In some cases women may vomit while pushing or because they are hungry, anxious and in pain. My cousin actually vomited before pushing her baby out and it’s a totally normal thing that can happen while you are in labor.
13. You may not see your doctor until show time
In many cases you might not see your doctor until you are ready to start pushing (unless you are scheduled for a C-section). This is because your doctor may be with other patients delivering their babies. So just know that your doctor will be there with you but not as soon as you may want him/her to be. In the meantime trust the other doctors and nurses who are doing their best to take care of you.
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14. You will deliver more than just a baby
You will deliver your placenta and you will see it too! If you have a vaginal birth you will push again after your baby is born, but this time for your placenta to come out, how weird is that? I did not know this was going to happen when I was giving birth for the first time.I was seriously surprised when my doctor told me to push again after I had given birth to my baby.
Read this next:
25 PHENOMENAL WAYS DADS TO BE CAN SUPPORT THEIR PARTNER DURING LABOR
11 IMPORTANT THINGS YOU REALLY SHOULDN’T DO AFTER GIVING BIRTH
15. Immediately baby bonding time
Once your baby is born, you will have a chance to hold your baby and bond for a couple of minutes. Then the nurses will weigh, measure, clean your baby and make sure your newborn is healthy and does not need to go to the nicu. You will have about 45 minutes most to bond and start your breastfeeding journey (if you choose to).
Then the nurses will take your baby to do more tests and all of that good stuff. So you will have a small amount of time to be able to bond with your baby until about 3 to 4 hours after you have given birth and your baby is back in your loving arms 🙂
Quick recap:
There’s a lot going on during labor and delivery, your body will go through many changes once you give birth and many emotions are running through your head. It’s definitely an experience you will never forget. Many women experience childbirth differently, some have it easy, some spend more than 24 hours in labor and some just have it hard. Every labor is different, please keep this in mind.
One thing that I am sure about, is that if you give birth in the hospital, you will mostly likely experience some of the things mentioned above.
For example:
- Personality change
- Needles
- Blood pressure machine
- Different doctors in and out
- You may have your water broken by a doctor
- One person in the delivery room
- Numbness after epidural
- Have a catheter
- May experience vaginal/perineal tear
- poop
- No eating allowed
- Vomit
- May not see your doctor until showtime
- Deliver more than just your baby
- Bonding time with your baby
I hope you found this article helpful on what to expect and what happens during labor and birth.
Do you have more things to add to the list, please share your thoughts!
