I went to my first lamaze class last night. They talked about doing the Kegal exercises and what can happen if you dont do them. Im 31 weeks and have never done them. Are they really that improtant to do? Also, they made labor look really easy. Is it possible for it to be that simple. Is labor really all that bad? Im thinking it will be the worst nightmare, but even the videos made it look so simple. HELP!! What am I to really expect?
2007-03-13 08:11:57 · 7 answers · asked by dana 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I am a mother of 5 children and I can honestly say that Kegals didn't so much help me during the labor process, they did help in tightening later. If you just do them at random during the day..say whileyou are doing dishes...watching tv..You will notice and your partner will notice the difference after the baby is born and later on. I still do Kegals.
Labor for everyone is different. One person can start labor and be pushing in an hour..others Hours. Please please do not listen to women's horror stories. I had easy labor, medium labor and then a c section after delivering one of my twins. As I have stated before...EVERYONE is different. I will suggest you get an epidural...that is about 5-6 CM along. My daughter just had a baby and had a bit of a hard time..She has/had no tolerence for pain...Let me tell you..after she got that new little girl in her arms...She forgot everything she felt. I know this is true. Just listen to your Dr. Listen to the nurses. You will be fine. Labor is just that...but the fruit is wonderul.
One other thing..and I will stress this again...DON'T LISTEN TO OTHER'S HORROR STORIES OF THEIR LABOR. Most of those would argue just for the sake and their labor is always going to be the hardest and worse than anyone has ever experienced. I was scared to death on my first child and she was not easy....but it was well worth is and she is now a mother herself. Take a deep breath and enjoy it.
2007-03-13 08:40:24 · answer #1 · answered by okieblue38 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know, I think everyone is terrified of their first labor, maybe even every labor they have...but the truth is it isn't the labor you aren't prepared for. I found that nothing can prepare you for that feeling you get once you finally are holding your little one. At that instant you change forever.
Don't be afraid of labor, it's not as bad as they tell you it is. Yeah, it hurts! Put that pain in perspective; it lasts only a few hours of your entire life, for a lifetime of joy with your child. I was relieved by the pain, as I knew it was an end to an uncomfortable last few weeks of pregnancy. I never took childbirth classes, and I can tell you that at that moment, I was a pro. I knew how to do everything! Funny how our bodies and minds take care of us, isn't it?
I also never did Kegals, and my labor (1st baby) was 7 hours, with only two pushes to deliver. No rips, no episiotomy, and I was walking around the room within an hour (after baby was done nursing). I think Kegals are way overrated. Some may disagree, but that's just my experiance. Good Luck! You will do beautifully!
2007-03-13 08:27:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anna 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you keep thinking about how bad its gonna be then you won't be suprised when it actually comes. I imagined the pain to be so unbearable that when labor came I handled it very very very well. It was NO WHERE near as bad as I thought and I had a very easy labor for a first time mommy. It is important to do kegals because those are the muscles you will use to push your baby out and it will help you to not poop when pushing.
Expect pain, discomfort, exhaustion, and relief!! and most of all when that baby comes out expect to be the happiest person alive!! Good Luck!
2007-03-13 08:19:06 · answer #3 · answered by Shannon 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree with what everyone is saying, except that I try to do my kegels for some of the reasons stated such as tearing. I also do them for the whole holding your pee factor. It helps strengthen this area and for many woman after labor and delivery they still leak a little pee when they laugh and stuff and this can help prevent it. It is called incontinence, my SIL suffers from it now after having her second child. She says she wishes she did kegels. Just a thought to keep in mind. Good luck with the baby and try not to stress so much.
2007-03-13 08:41:32 · answer #4 · answered by dragonfly7887 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm a coward and I'm pregnant. I already have one child, so it's not that bad!!!! (This is coming from the girl who runs away screaming when she sees a wasp!!)
LOL - but seriously, when you are actually in labour, I'm not gonna lie, it is very painful, but you forget it all the minute you have baby in your arms! I remember my labour being awful, but I don't remember how it really felt - otherwise I doubt I'd have done it again!
(I'm 32 weeks pregnant now)
I never did Kegal exercises, they don't have the classes in the small town where I live, so they are not essential, but they do help, from what I have heard from other people.
Good luck, and I promise, when you are holding your baby you'll think: "What was I worrying about?" - you may even go nuts like me and have another!!
Congrats! :-)
2007-03-13 08:25:13 · answer #5 · answered by Krissyinthesun 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my chidbirth class, I was taught that kegels will help prevent tearing during vaginal delivery. They can also prevent hemhorroids.
Chilbirth will be very difficult. If it wasn't, the C -section rate in major cities wouldn't be approaching 50 percent of women!
To help prevent complications during labor and delivery, walk briskly for 3 miles every day so you are in shape to give birth. Squat as much as possible to help prepare your muscles for giving birth. (But no deep squatting after 35 weeks).
Also, make sure you wait to get an epidural until you are at least 5 cm dialated and preferably more dialated than that.
This is because epidurals weaken your contractions and slow your labor down.
Don't let them break your waters until you are at least 8 cm dialated. Contractions hurt more and cause more stress for the unborn baby once they break your waters. The bag of waters acts as a cushion for the baby. Also prevents umbillical cord prolapse.
Also, make sure you walk around as much as possible during labor, squat, kneel, and get on all fours as much as possible. This will help your baby descend.
Whatever you do, don't push while laying on your back. You want gravity to help you, so squat, kneel, or get on all fours. You can ask at the hospital for a squatting bar to help you assume this position.
2007-03-13 08:21:21 · answer #6 · answered by EmLa 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you'll want to start doing them now, and continue on after the baby is born to get that area back in shape. they take so little time and energy, just buckle down and do them.
as for labor, i have 2 kids one with drugs and one natural with nuthin!! bottom line, it is maybe 1.5 days of your life and will end up with a kiddo. so enjoy the process and relax. kid's gotta come out. :)
2007-03-13 08:22:12 · answer #7 · answered by lukkyB22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋