Your work experience is not always what you expect. I gave birth to five babies, including twins, and one Emergency cesarean section. As a nurse, I have also delivered thousands of babies midwife. Every delivery was different. I made a list of things I wish I had known when I gave birth to my two oldest before becoming a nurse. I also included things my patients said that they wished they had known about how to prepare better.
Things I wish I knew before my work experience
Here are 14 things I wish I knew before my labor experience, and things other women said they wished they knew before they gave birth.
1. Hospital bag
It’s called a Hospital bag because it’s not a suitcase! You don’t have to bring half of your wardrobe, entertainment center, or kitchen appliances. Many expectant mothers carry way too much stuff to the hospital. Remember that you will need to move your belongings from triage to your delivery room and again after birth.
You can use a checklist to determine what to pack for your work experience. Do not bring your bag to the hospital until you know you have been admitted there. Your support representative can get it for you.
2. Wrong work
You may go to the hospital to give birth and be sent home. A lot is happening! Called false contractions Braxton Hicks can be confused with contractions.2 Some women may visit the hospital several times before being admitted. You may also be sent home if your contractions are contractions, but it is still very early.
Real work Contractions have the following properties:1.2
- Come at regular intervals
- We are moving closer together
- Last 60-90 seconds
- Keep going even if you rest or change positions
- Get stronger with each one
- The pain usually starts in the back and moves forward
- A bloody mucous discharge is often mentioned bloody show
3. Birth plans
Birth plans need to be renamed birth preferences. It is impossible to plan the birth. So much can happen. You won’t know what to expect from labor until you experience it.
It’s great to have ideas about how you would like to work in a perfect situation. Writing down your thoughts helps you organize and communicate your desires to your partner and your healthcare team. Studies have shown that women have more positive birth experiences when they have a birth plan.3.4
However, keep in mind that you cannot plan for:
The most important thing to plan for is that unexpected things will happen. The main goal of any plan should be the safety of you and your baby.
4. Get out of bed
Contractions will be easier if you can get up and move. Getting out of bed can help you:5
- Faster contractions
- Increased comfort
- Increased likelihood of vaginal birth
- Better sense of control
- Reduced need for Painkiller
5. Get in the water
One of the best places to labor outside of bed is in the shower or bathtub. Being in the water has many benefits including:6
- Decreased need for painkillers
- Promotes relaxation
- Increased energy
- More efficient contractions
- Improved blood circulation
- Decreased anxiety
- Reduced stress-related hormones
Many women don’t want to move in bed. But when they’re on top, they feel much more comfortable, especially in the water. I have seen repeatedly blocked work Increase your pace through exercise and time in the water.
6. Support
You will need support, but maybe not in the way you thought. Maybe you went there Birth courses with your partner and read about it Dealing with labor pain. You can imagine that you want massages and foot rubs. Then contractions occur and you don’t want anyone to touch you.
Discuss How your partner can support you during labor and be prepared for various support techniques. When you have lots of options, you will find what works for you when the time comes.
7. Your body is responsible
During labor, your body is responsible. You cannot stop or pause contractions. The different sensations you feel can be new and overwhelming. At times you may feel like you have lost control.
When I had my first baby, I imagined myself being calm and focused. I ended up crying to my baby. The work went very quickly. I felt like I didn’t even have time to have an idea of how to deal with it before the next wave started. After my daughter was born, I remember thinking, “Wait! I didn’t even have a chance to do my work Breathing techniques.”
8. Push
Push is mostly hard work. At some point during their labor experience, most women will say, “I can’t do this!” But somehow you will. You will dig deep and find the strength and courage to push your baby out.
The pushing phase can be long. It’s normal to have to push for up to three hours with your first child, and even up to two hours with your first birth.14 However, it usually takes much less time.
Even with one epidural, the urge to push is often strong. But some women don’t feel this urge and have to learn to restrain themselves. I have heard many women say that it is a relief to be able to continue after labor. They were finally able to do something about the contractions.
9. Birth positions
The traditional position for pushing is lying on your back with your legs pulled back. While this position is suitable for many women, there may be better options for your work experience. Talk to your healthcare team and try different positions.
In any position where you are upright, gravity can help. Standing vertically gives your pelvis more room to open. When you squat, the lower part of your pelvis has about 20% more space. The contractions are stronger and more effective and women often find the upright position more comfortable.7
Other advantageous positions include lying on your side and hands and knees. Can lying on the side reduce the risk of a crack and make it more convenient for you. Hands and knees allow your pelvis to open in all directions and can reduce tearing.7
10. Labor and birth are not like watching TV
The birth doesn’t happen as neatly in 30 minutes as it does on TV. There are often hours of waiting or working through contractions. The average first contraction lasts 12 to 24 hours, from the first light contractions to the birth of your baby in your arms.9
Birth is often chaotic. It is normal for up to 500 ml of blood to be lost during a vaginal birth.8th This is equivalent to about 2 cups of blood. Amniotic fluidUrine, feces, sweat and vomit may also occur.
Birth is often loud. Women make a variety of noises during labor, from moans to grunts to screams.
11. Delivery of the placenta
Your baby is finally in your arms. You cry tears of joy because you’re through labor. But wait! You’re not done yet. You still have to deliver yours placenta. It is normal to take up to 30-60 minutes after a vaginal birth.10 It often appears within a few minutes.
Luckily, your placenta is soft and not like your baby’s head. You may push to deliver your baby once or twice, but it’s nothing like it.
12. Stitches and ice packs
Okay, now you’re finally done. Not so fast! Between 53% and 79% of vaginal deliveries result in this tearing.11 These tears or cuts usually need to be repaired. In my experience with labor, repairs can take anywhere from three to four minutes to over an hour.
The good news is that you have a new baby to hold and distract you. Your Doctor or midwife will make you as comfortable as possible with the existing epidural anesthesia or by injecting a local anesthetic.
Ice packs for your perineum after delivery will become your best friend. Using ice packs reduces pain and swelling.13
13. Uterine massage
Heads up. None of this is comforting or relaxing Uterine or fundus massage.
As part of your birth experience, your nurse will regularly check that your uterus is firm after birth. These tests are performed by massaging your uterus through your abdomen. Massaging your uterus can help it contract and reduce bleeding.12 This all sounds great, but it’s not convenient. It can be pretty miserable.
The best approach is to relax and breathe slowly and deeply. If you fight the process, it will take longer and be more unpleasant.
14. Your nurses
Your Labor and delivery nurses will be your biggest cheerleaders, educators, supporters and comforters. Most parents are surprised at how much their obstetricians do for them.
If you value your nurses, Give them a thank you note, treats, or other token of appreciation. Nurses appreciate thank you cards. I know many nurses who keep each one forever.
Every work experience is different. No matter what happens, there will be surprises. There will probably be more than one list can count, but be flexible and know that you can handle whatever comes your way.
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