I contemplated whether or not to write this post because, as I’m sure you’ve figured out, every mom, pregnancy, delivery, and baby are different.  But, I always try to write about things I wish I would have known about becoming a mother, and real life tidbits about labor and delivery are definitely something that I was missing as I headed into the final weeks of my pregnancy.  I remember saying, “it’s not the new baby part I’m worried about, it’s the labor and delivery part.”  So, here are 7 things that surprised me about labor and delivery (one mom’s experience)!

7 Things that Surprised me about Labor and Delivery

It’s Nothing like the Movies

For the most part, labor and delivery is nothing like the movies (you’ve probably heard this before).  Even going into labor is nothing like what you think it’s going to be.  Did you know that only about 15% of women’s water breaks before they go into labor?  I kept imagining my water breaking as I’d stand up from the couch or get up from bed.  Of course this happens to some women, but not the majority.  Also, the whole “speeding to the hospital so you don’t have a baby in the car” thing doesn’t happen very often either.  If this is your first go around, chances are you’re going to get to the hospital with plenty of time to spare.

If you’re nervous about labor and delivery or find yourself Googling things like “how will I know when I’m in labor” (like I did), you should check out Birth it Up, an online labor and delivery course.  The class is taught by Liesel, a labor and delivery nurse.  She keeps it real, gives you all the facts, and totally prepares you for what to expect on the big day.  My favorite part about the course is that it’s online and can be done on your own time.  I actually took the class after having Weston (because I’m obsessed with all things pregnancy and baby), but I feel so much more prepared for the second time around.

Laboring Down

I thought because I went into labor naturally, it wouldn’t last as long as some of the induction horror stories I had heard.  Nope.  Not true.  I was still in labor for 18 hours before it was time to push.  My doctor let me “labor down” (a term I had never heard before but would have if I taken a Prenatal Course), before pushing.  Laboring down is when you are fully dilated, but you let your uterus and contractions move the baby down naturally.  For me, this just meant laying there, waiting to get the thumbs up that it was go time.  I remember being so frustrated knowing I was fully dilated, but not being able to push.  In the long run, I am so thankful that my doctor allowed my body the extra time to move Weston down naturally.  It only took about a half hour to push out my 9 pound 12 ounce baby.  I can’t imagine how long and hard I would have worked if I had pushed when I wanted to.

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Your Water Keeps Leaking

My water broke naturally after I had already arrived at the hospital.  Lucky for me, I was already in my room and in bed when I felt the gush.  I don’t know why, but I had always assumed that when your water broke, all the water would come flooding out and that would the end of it.  It was the strangest sensation to continuously feel water coming out from “down there”.  The nurse was kind enough to shove a load of towels in between my legs which was a huge help.

Modesty Goes out the Window

Of course I knew that plenty of random strangers were going to see my naked body, but I never imagined that it would no longer make me uncomfortable.  By the time you’re ready to push, you’ve already been poked, prodded, and checked by countless nurses and you’re just ready to get that baby out.  The fact that you’re spread eagle in a room full of strangers doesn’t even cross your mind.  Not to mention, it’s their job.  They’ve seen countless births before yours and they’ll see countless births after.

You’re going to be So Thirsty

I knew I wouldn’t be allowed to eat or drink, but I never expected that one of the most uncomfortable things about labor was thirst.  You’re allowed to snack on ice chips and popsicles and I couldn’t get enough of either.  They give you a tiny Styrofoam shot glass for your ice chips and I thought I could cheat the system by letting them melt and taking a small sip of water.  Obviously it takes time for ice to melt so I was looking forward to my tablespoon of cold water when my husband turned around and DRANK IT!  I could have cried.

The Transition Stage can make you Nauseous

The transition stage is the stage of labor where you’re fully dilated (10 cm) and just about ready to push.  I remember trying to get comfortable in a hospital bed when a wave of nausea rolled over me.  I asked the nurse if I could have a minute and told her I felt like I was going to be sick.  I thought it was my nerves, but she quickly informed me that it was because it was almost go time!  Lucky for me, I never actually got sick and the nausea quickly subsided, but this is a very common side effect of the transition stage.

Related: Meditations for Labor and Delivery

It Wasn’t as Bad as I Expected

All in all, labor and delivery was nowhere near as bad as I had expected it to be.  Don’t get me wrong, the contractions where extremely painful at times (probably the worst pain I’ve ever felt), but getting an epidural was a game changer (shout out to all the mommas that do it naturally).  I was instantly able to relax, get some sleep, and rest up for what was going to be the biggest moment of my life, both physically and emotionally.  Once I had the epidural and knew that I would no longer have to deal with the overwhelming pain of contractions, my next fear was pushing.  I was terrified it was going to hurt despite the epidural.  To my surprise, delivering my son was not nearly as painful as I expected.  I like t0 say that it was just a very hard workout rather than a horribly painful experience.  Now that it’s all said and done, I have the fondest memories of labor and delivery.  Of course it wasn’t a walk in the park, but it was new, exciting, beautiful, and amazing.  Regardless of how hard it gets, you always know you’re working for the ultimate prize.  Now that I have a better idea of what to expect, I can’t wait to do it again someday.

DISCLOSURE: Coffee and Coos is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.

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