What do you wish you would have known about the Labor and Delivery of your baby before giving birth?

Answer 1

I went to a prenatal class that was actually very helpful...great nurse taught it! Thank goodness she told me to take a shower and EAT BEFORE you go to the hospital. Once you're there, you're at their mercy.

When my contractions started getting closer together, my husband helped me shower and dress. Then as we were going for the door, I remembered to eat....good thing, because once you're there, they won't let you have anything. I was STARVING after I gave birth, even after having a bite to eat at home!

The only caveat...if you are going in for planned surgery, they will likely not allow you to eat (fast before surgery)

Answer 2

Yes, definitely eat and bathe before you go to the hospital. It will be hours before you are able to do that again. Some things I wish I knew before Labor and Delivory. . . You may poop or pee while pushing. Yea, the movies make it look all simple, push and out comes a baby. No. You push and everything may come out of both ends. I did not know that an epidural was a catheter in your spine. Do not let that stop you, though. It was the greatest thing ever.
Now after delivery there were some things I really wish I knew. Like, I knew there would be some bleeding but I was never told I would be bleeding worse than a normal period for almost 4 weeks. Also, it is true not to lift anything that weighs more than your baby. When you get out of the hospital your body aches . Really, stay in bed as much as you can. Lastly, no one tells you about the hormonal change you go through 2-4 days after leaving the hospital. You have terrible cold chills and sweats. I was miserable, sweating one second and goosebumps the next.
It is crazy, all the things that mothers go through physically and mentally having a child. After all is said and done, I would do it again in a heart beat.

Answer 3

I wish I had known I'd be strapped down to the bed by the baby monitor and contraction monitor... and then the internal baby monitor when the external monitor wasn't working correctly. I had had visions of me walking around or at least easily shifting around while in labor but I didn't have that option. I'm pregnant again and will voice how I would like my labor and delivery to go this time!

Answer 4

I haven't had my child yet...

But L&D is the one thing I'm not even the slightest bit concerned about.

I had a childbirth class with a teacher that was absolutely awesome. And as so many people here have said - I really like the idea that I am in control. I think that will keep me from freaking out should anything go awry. I know what questions to ask... and that I have the final say of what happens to me and my child. (Not that I'm too stubborn to fight a doctor's medical reccommendation.) But I'll be able to ask why he/she thinks we should do something a certain way... and feel comfortable that whatever it is that's being done is in the best interest of me and my child.

After it's all over... it's the parenting part that scares me. Being fully responsible for someone's entire life... wow.

Best of luck to you in your labor!

Answer 5

I watched a horrific video during one of my antenatal classes where you can see a baby being delivered, crowning and everything, lol. Before that I was all cool, having a baby yeah yeah, lol but after that I decided to invent some device which got the baby out without a cesarean or having to deliver it naturally. Didn't work, I gave birth to my daughter after a 13 hr labour, 4 hrs of pushing and a lovely epidural, lol. And yes I had lots and lots of stitches and I was sore but I realised , that it wasn't that bad.

fast forward to the birth of my son, waiting for for my waters to break (happened with my daughter 6 days early) knew it was a boy and supposedly huuge as well (oh joy!!) Doctor said he'd induce me on my due date. After a 15 hr induction (no pain relief for me, waaaah) I finally got an epidural and thank god got some sleep, the Doc broke my waters (he had to try 3 times my boy didn't want to come out, lol) and finally was having proper contractions but epidural meant I could sleep through them. about 3 pm the midwives went to put in a catheter and it wouldn't go, my boy was already nearly half out, action stations, both midwives had to be in the room and about 20 mins after that he was born. Again plenty of stitches and I am a bit more wary of being induced but it wasn't too bad. Baby has to get out somehow, lol

P.s. there is an ending to my story, I wouldn't have like to know anything but, pethidine doesn't do anything but make you sleepy and definately doesn't take any pain away, lol

Answer 6

I wish I had known about ... um... seesh.. omg I forgot the name of it, but that pain killer that lasts about 30 mins that you can't have after you hit 6cm? I would have been able to maybe gather myself and not scream for an epidural as soon as I walked into the labor and delivery ward. lol I used that with my 3rd baby and got to 7cm before my choices became more pitocen or an epidural... lol, guess what I chose?

Answer 7

I had no clue it would be such an awesome experience. I mean the whole idea of going in with a pregnant belly and then all of a sudden - you are a parent to a real human being! :) No one can prepare you for the love you are going to have for your little one. I read that your baby will not come out looking like the ones you see on TV- and boy were they right! You will love them anyway! Good luck!!

Answer 8

I wish I had known that its possible to fracture your tailbone and not be able to sit down/lay down/get up properly for months afterward! Ouch! Much longer recovery than a c-section. Nothing about that in any book I'd read.

Other than that I also wish that I had spoken up about questions and concerns I'd had and not just done what they'd said. Common among young, first time mums!

Answer 9

That it doesn't matter how carefully you plan, how you think you'll cope, what you've said in your birth plan...chances are it won't go anything like that. And that, in the long run, it doesn't matter provided they and you are safe. The only important thing in the long run is ending up with a healthy mum and healthy baby, not whether you had a C-section, waterbirth, epidural, no drugs, Mozart on the radio...

Answer 10

I wish i stayed home longer before going to the hospital. I was there 19 hours before my baby was born.