What should I expect when giving birth?

Question

I heard everything just comes out!!! You have no control? I am 22, and my husband and I are TTC our first. During delivery is it true that you pee, or poo? How many people have had episiotomy's? What should I expect? I like to be mentally prepared...lol

Answer 1

Some people have had bowel movements during delivery but it doesnt happen to every body I just had my 4th child 2 weeks ago and I never had it to happen me. As far as the episiotomy I have only had to have one of those it was with my last one and his head was big so it was to keep me from tearing more because I had already started tearing.

Answer 2

I didn't have any problem with that during delivery.

A close friend helped me to get mentally prepared by telling me to remember that each contraction is going to be followed by a bigger one so I should save my "whining" for the really big ones... I was still telling myself "relax, this one is nothing, wait for the next one" when I suddenly started pushing.

I found having a book helped. I read during the first hour of real labour. I then started into my breathing and I used a focal point to concentrate. I walked a lot and the hospital I was in had a shower available so I'd go in and let the water run on my back as I was contracting. That felt great.

I had an episiotomy with both my boys, I didn't really even feel them stitch me up. I had an epidural with my first and nothing for my second and the second birth was easier on me.

Good luck :-) I hope you have an easy birth

Answer 3

Many women do have a bowel movement during pushing. If you do have one, the staff will just clean it up and not say anything. It's very normal.

That said.....
I went into labor on my own with each of my 3 babies. My body cleaned itself out prior to starting labor/in the early hours of labor and I never had a bowel movement while pushing with any of the three.

You should make sure to use the restroom frequently during labor in order to keep your bladder empty. Your nurse/doula/midwife will probably remind you of this every couple of hours.

An episiotomy should only be done if there is an emergency with fetal distress where the baby needs to get out NOW. It is actually better to risk the possiblity of a tear than to face the certainty of a cut. Tears are usually less severe than a cut and can be sewed back together closer to how you were before. Tears heal quicker as well. (A cut will involve both skin and muscle every time, while a tear may only involve skin.)

I've had 3 babies and never had an episiotomy. I did tear with my first baby, but not with my second or third babies. There are a lot of things you can do to help prevent tearing such as perineal massage while PG, warm compresses during pushing, having caregiver support your perineum and birthing in warm water.

Answer 4

Pretty much you should expect a baby to come out of your body somehow. Some people poop or pee, but like one lady says at that particular moment you don't really care, you're using the same muscles that you have a bowel movement with to push the baby out so if you have something it there it might come out too, no big deal. I did not have an episiotomy, thankfully I didn't tear that much and we'll see how this next one goes.

Answer 5

Let your body do what it needs to do. The doctors and nurses have seen it all. There will come a point where Brad Pitt could walk in the room and you will care less because you are so focused. I had an emergency c section with my first, and was a VBAC with my second. The second one was also without meds because I progressed really quickly. I think (and hope) most women will tell you that the pain you feel and go thru while in labor is forgotten very quickly.......holding that precious little baby in your arms the first time makes it all worthwhile. I took childbirthing classes and that really helped assuage any fears of the unknown. The breathing also helps alot....because you can control that and let your body do what it needs to. Best of luck to you :)

Answer 6

Yes, when you are in labor your body is in control and you are just a passenger. You are concerned about what may come out now, but when you are in the throws of labor it will be the furthest thing from your mind. I did not have an episiotomy, but I did rip a little. All I felt was a burning.

There was one nurse in there that told me "push past the burning". She told me that because I was fighting against my body. Once I gave in and did what she said, it went by much faster.

Good luck!

Answer 7

You usually dont poo or pee.. but it is normal if you do.. the nurses have seen it all. you may need an episiotomy.. but you wont really care at that point.. you kind go into a labor trance.. your endorphins kick in and you just do what you have to do.. let the doctors worry.. you just stay calm and go with it.. it is am amazing experience.

Answer 8

everyone is so different- I think you need a book or some classes- so much to know. My advice is don't be too definite about what you want/don't want to happen, because it's not really under your control. I wanted a nice relaxing water birth with NO needles of any kind, but my waters broke - so not water birth, I was in labour for 36 hours, then a section, then a drip for 3 days. oh well.
Good luck

Answer 9

you may have pee or poo when you deliver, but dont worry everyone has seen it before nobody will even notice. you will be far too concerned with your baby to worry about it. and as far as epistiotomy, DONT do it. you dont need to, it is much more painful than a tear, and usualy much bigger. and it takes longer to heal. the only reason they do it is to make it easier for the doctor. good luck :)

Answer 10

Pain & panic. Every birth giving is different...no, you'll be given laxative before delievery. No, you have no control just listen to the doctor and nurses.