What should I expect?

Question

I am pregnant , But I wanna know what to expect when it time to go into Labor? And can the doctor give you something to calm the pain? And how are suppose to push? Someone please help me.

As this is my first time. I also wanna know where I would go for labor classes?

Answer 1

Your OB doctor can usually set you up with classes or direct you to them. No one can really tell you what to expect since every woman's labor and pregnancy experience is different. Expect lots of attention and discomfort. They can give you shots for your pain or you can even get an epidural. They are uncomfortable to get, but not as painful as a lot of people make them out to be. It is sounds scarier than it actually is. I can't tell you how to push because it is something you have to feel. It might even take you a couple rounds of pushing to get the hang of it. Just relax and take it easy. You will do just fine.

Answer 2

Labor and delivery are different for every woman, and from pregnancy to pregnancy, but I had a great experience my first time around, so here are a couple tips that I think really helped:

1 - Get an epidural for the pain, as soon as the doc lets you, and make sure it lasts through the pushing. The risks to you and the baby are so incredibly low these days that it is totally worth it. I breastfeed also, and I noticed no negative effect due to the epidural. With the epidural you are more aware, have more energy, and in better spirits for this best day of your life.
2 - When pushing, concentrate very hard on pushing like you are going to poop. BE VERY AWARE of NOT pushing with your face (red-face). You really do have to concentrate. I pushed a 9 lb. 1 oz. baby out in about 10 minutes, but I really concentrated.
3 - This sounds goofy, but watch alot of TLC baby shows where the women have their babies (Baby Story and such). This helps SO much in knowing what to expect and all of the variances of what could happen. You'll understand lingo better, and if there are complications likely you'll recognize them and know what is or is not a very big deal.
4 - Have someone supportive, preferably your significant other, there with you. There's nothing more comforting. And only positivity in the room!

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Well, the pain for me was hell. I previously had back surgery so I had scar tissue. When I got the epidural, they didn't tell me that it might not work. And it didn't. If yuo have this type of problem, reconsider the epi because it was painful. Instead I got a shot called Stadol. Actually 3 of them. I had back labor and it was so painful. I labored for 20 hours. Pushing was the easiest part. I pushed like I was constipated. You just get this feeling when your contracting and all you want to do is push. The nurses are telling you to wait and you can't. I went to the hospital an hour after my water broke and I regretted it. I wish I would have waited longer. Since my water a broken, they wouldn't let me walk around. So you're just sitting there with water guhing out every so often and it'sl like you've pissed on yourself and you can't change your undies.

After I gave birth, I was in a lot of pain still. You will be sore. The next day was emotional for me. so if you have someone, talk to them. But you will kinda forget the pain when you see your child. Birth is awesome but painful. It's scary. Remember to breathe. I didn't take lamaze but I wish I had because when I was breathing, labor was easier. Your OB should be able to tell you where to go. Usually the local hospital or heatlh department.

Talk to yuor doctor about pain meds. It is important that (s)he know you want them.

Hope this helps. Good luck. Don't be afraid, it's a natural thing.

Answer 4

As for the labor classes - contact your obstetrician or the hospital where you will be having your baby. They should be able to recommend a class for you.

When you go into labor, you will have contractions. The best way I can describe these (for me at least) are like stomach pains, like you have to go to the bathroom. When they are around 5 minutes apart they tell you to go to the hospital.

There are several ways that they can calm the pain. A commonly used one is an epidural, which they put into your spine. This helps to numb most of your lower body but for me I was able to move but not feel the pain. Your doctor should be able to explain this more to you. The epidural sounds more painful than it is, believe me.

As for the pushing - the best way I can describe is it is like trying to go to the bathroom. Gross, I know. But the nurses told me that it is like that, and they are right. Your body will know when it is time to push.

I suggest reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting" - this gave me a lot of helpful information. Also check out babycenter.com, this was helpful as well.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

Most Health Department offer birthing classes. You may not know what to do ,but let me tell you your body does it was made to know and you will be fine.Don't worry !Pains come slow at first then get stronger until you have baby. Not every women's water breaks on it's on ,if it does not then the Dr. will take something and break it the labor pains usely the strongest after this is done because baby moves in position to come out it does not take every long before baby will be in your arms after that. Then the Dr. will push down on stomach to get out the after birth if you need to be sowed up the Dr. will do that then. It is not as bad as it sounds. The pain you can get medication for.Just remember everyone is different ,but this is the basis.

Answer 6

Trying to expect what will happen, at least in my case, was impossible. It was nothing like I expected. Basically, if your water breaks or your contractions are very close together, go to the hospital. Otherwise, the doc could decide to induce you if they feel it is necessary, like mine did. The pitocin didn't work for me so I ended up with a C-section. There are many pain control options. Don't worry. The medical staff is well-trained and will take you step by step with what to do, your instincts will kick in and everything will be fine. Just be flexible. In the end you will have your baby and nothing you just went through will matter because all you can think about is your the little miracle in your arms.

Answer 7

Get the book "What to expect when you are expecting"
Every labor is different. But they can give you something to take the edge off the pain...if you still can't handle it they can give you an epidural and you shouldn't feel a thing.
And remember when pushing, to push with your bottom like you are taking a big poop. I found the harder they pushed my legs back against me the better progress I made with my pushes.

Answer 8

I took the classes at the hospital and I don't remember a thing they taught me... personally I learned more about having babies on TV shows like BIRTH DAY, BRINGING HOME BABY, etc. also you can pull up actual births on the Internet. As far as pain goes, you can get an epidural at 3 cm dilated and they will probley give you something like Nubaine before that. While pushing push like you are having a bowel movement, but don't worry you will have an RN coaching you through everything, you will be just fine.

Answer 9

Its hard to really know what to expect during labour because everyone's experience is different, but the more you read on it the more prepared you will be. I found a good book on childbirth at the library called "The Birth Book". When I was pregnant I asked everyone I knew who had had a child what contractions felt like and I think the closest discription I got was that its like constipation or diarrhea pains but more intense. As for the pain get the epidural, even if it doesn't take the pain away completely it makes it less intense and easier to handle. The pushing is supposed to be easier if you practise Kegal exercises and it also helps prepare your muscles to stretch so your less likely to tear. If you have a female relative or friend thats gave birth and you would be comfortable having them with you for labour (and delivery) its a good idea, i had my mom with me and she was alot more helpful than my husband, plus I could ask her any questions I had during labour too.

Answer 10

First of all, all labours are different.
Mine was 9.5 hours and relatively easy, i only had the gas.
Doctors can give you gas, pethadine, or an epidural.
Believe me, your body will know how to push.
The best advice i can give you, is to try relax, and definately LISTEN TO YOUR BODY, it will kinda guide you through it, and you will know the times to do things, like push.
Dont be afraid, go with whatever is happening,relax and just think, after 40 weeks, soon you will be holding your baby in your arms and a beautiful new stage of your life will begin.
I found that i could kinda tollerate the pain of labour, with a little help of the gas, cause the reason for the pain was the ultimate blessing and purpose, i just wanted to hold my daughter, i thought about the pain and tiredness later, and you do tend to get very tired after hours of pain and pushing.

Congrats!!!!!