For new moms...was there anything about the birthing experience that took you by surprise?

Question

What do you wish you had known in terms of the actual birthing experience (before, during, and after) or things you bought/should have bought/should not have bought?

I have a 10 mo. old son...this is just something I'm compiling for a few pregnant friends because everyone's birthing experience is so different. Thanks!

Answer 1

That is wasn't as bad as I thought!

Really, it wasn't! Here are the things I wish I'd known, brought, asked for:

1) Ask and ask early if you are planning on getting an epidural to get it BEFORE they break your water. It takes some time for them to call the doctor, etc. And for me contractions didn't hurt (really) until after they broke my water. So if you can get it first, do!

2) If you're getting and epidural ask for it not to be too, too strong. I know that sounds crazy! But, if it is you won't be able to feel to push and then it will take much longer to actually give birth. And pushing is hard work.

3) You'll probably have to get an enima. I'd never had one, so I was freaked out, but it wasn't that bad. It didn't hurt or anything, it was just odd.

4) Take socks. Your feet will be cold and in all kinds of people's hands!

5) Leave your jewelry at home. You can't wear it in case they have to take you into a c-section.

6) You'll probably have to have a catheter during the birth. If you can, ask for the type that is just temporary. In other words, they just drain your bladder and then take it out. That way you don't have to worry about it being removed after your epidural wears off!

7) Take a good pair of nursing pjs (or two if you can swing it!)

8) Let the nursery keep your new precious one during the night. You'll be all hyped up and you'll want to spend time with him/her. But RESIST the urge! You need your rest. Take the opportunity. Believe me you'll wish so much that you had that nursery in the next few weeks!

Good luck!

Answer 2

I would not have changed a thing.

Since the beginning of my pregnancy, I did all the things my doctor told me to do. I stayed off my feet and took it easy. This is because I was having twins and I was a high risk pregnancy.

I drank from 32 to 64 oz of water a day. A day!! That is a lot of water to consume. I told my family and friends I could have had my own lake in the backyard after all the water I drank. I took my prenatal vitamins every evening to avoid morning or evening sickness. I ate lots of fruits and veggies. Did not drink sodas, Sprite only to ease the nausea. No Coffee, or Tea. I do not smoke so that was not an issue with me.

I did not do a lamaze class because my doctor did not think that would be a good idea sitting on the floor. So, when I began feeling weird, like I had to go to the bathroom all the time, I had no idea I was in labor!! I would have known if I had taken a lamaze class.

I walked daily until my doctor asked me not to because that could cause my twins to come early.

Well, my doctors were looking for a 38 week delivery. Instead, my twins came at 32 weeks. Now, some twins do come early so this was not a surprise to my doctors.

Also, I am 5'2" and before my pregnancy I weighed 120. At birth I weighed 138.

But still, I would not have changed a thing. My daughters are healthy and thriving today. They will be a year old next month..


Gosh I hope this will help you..

Answer 3

Well, I was surprised at how much pain my own body could produce! But I was also surprised (when it was over) at the strength I had to endure the whole process and come out even stronger than I was before.
I thought trying to get through it without medication was the "right" thing to do for a first-time mom, but from my experience I would go ahead and plan on an epidural-you can always refuse it later. Probably the most important thing is that when the nurses tell you that an epidural will slow down or stop your labor, don't believe it! All of the women I have talked to agree that when they finally got thier epidural it allowed thier body to relax and the contractions to be more effective. Especially if you are having a painful or difficult labor!
Buy lots and lots of diapers and wipes! Not too many newborn outfits-they grow out of them so fast. The gowns with the elastic or string on the bottom are great for those first few weeks of frequent nightime diaper changes.
I have had four children and each birth was a different experience. However the one thing that remained the same, thankfully, was that it produced a beautiful new person who is loved so very much!
Good luck and God Bless!

Answer 4

I had a pretty easy labor and delivery. Make sure you bring wet wipes for the baby the ones the hospital has are awful. And let the nursery keep the baby at night so you can get a couple nights needed rest. And I was in labor for 12hrs but it seemed less time went by so fast didn't seem that long, but it flies by you look back and was like wow I gave birth to a child..it seems like a distant memory and you forget all the pain once they arrive. And what surprised me the most was I didn't even get an epidural and I am not big on pain it wasnt too painful once I got Nubain.

Answer 5

I had a C-section with my son, and I always thought I'd want that b/c the whole "natural" childbirth thing scared the crap out of me! I wish someone would have told me just how much pain I would be in after my C-section... couldn't walk, go the bathroom, I could barely hold my baby! Plus, now I have this huge scar and one of the "baby bellies" that will never go away!!!! But you know what, the other big thing that took me by surprise was the amazing, immense love I had for my baby boy, and it still continues to amaze me today....even when he's throwing a tantrum!

Answer 6

I was surprised they made everyone leave for the epidural... That scared me but not as much as the pain scared me. I was also surprised that "medicine" doesn't know everything like when it was time to push I would feel the contraction before the mechine would even pick it up. In fact the doctor just waited for me to go... Don't buy to many tiny diapers... I was nesting and went out and bought 60 dollars or so worth of diapers... Didn't even use half of them... And I did get more recieving blankets...

Answer 7

I should've bought myself a nanny and a masseuse. Lol. I ended up having my baby 2 months early because I had toxemia, and it was funny because I went in for my regular check up and had to go directly to the hospital and I was in there from the 3rd of May until about the 15th. I was going to have to stay the 2 months if it didn't get worse. I was glad it was over before then but I was just scared because I seen every doctor and got every test ran on me and it was terrible! I was in labor and delivery for 4 days, even after I had her they kept me down. But the thing since it was so sudden we didn't have everything we needed for her so I had to have a c-section I couldn't get out too much and I was spending a chunk of my time going up there to see her since I left before she did. So I guess I wish I would've been somewhat more prepared and if I could've breastfed more than I did. But 2 months is better than not at all.

Answer 8

I honestly dont know what i can say to help.....Dont buy too much small stuff they grow ever so fast!...everyone has a deifferent experience in labour...let it happen naturally....dont push, your body will auto-matically do it for you...(most docs and mid-wifes will discourage physically pushing anyway) as it can cause un-necessary tearing internally.....dont tense...stay relaxed......breathe deeper than ever towards the end....believe me unless you have complications....its quite easy...i have had 3 children all different sizes.....and different labours for each...i had no drugs at all, and no complications....birth is a natural process....and your body knows exactly what to do....your just there for the ride...lmao cant explain it much differently....how far along are you and there do you live? i know the nursery sounds like a good idea...but the mater mothers in QLD has no nursery now...unless you baby is in the IC ward...i had my son 4 mnths ago there...GOODLUCK..... dont get freaked out okay!!!!!!!! stay calm... stress and not relaxing can make things a bit un-comfortable.....

Answer 9

Well I wish I had known that I was almost going to die. I started bleeding real bad afterwards and they rushed in and gave me shots and pills and I did'nt see my son for a while and I was scared. But now my sons 2 weeks old and we are both just fine! Oh and I did'nt think I would get so many stitches!

Answer 10

I had my first child 11 wks ago and my biggest regret was sending her to the nursery every night. Because I didn't I was so worn out the first couple of weeks! I wanted to keep her and get to know her so I let her stay with me in my room. The first night I kept waking up seeing if she was hungry.......... no one told me they don't really eat that much the first 24 hours so I got no sleep! The next night....... I was so tired and kept waking up to feed her! The last night I sent her to the nursery and wow what a relief! You are so exhausted from labor you need those days in the hospital to catch up so do it! You will have plenty of other nights where you won't be able to sleep!!!! Promise you.. you won't regret it!!!!!!