https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:42:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-the-existing-pregnancydelivery-books-tell-it-like-it-is#post-4056 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:09:08 +0000 Rock n Roll 4056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did most of my preparation for childbirth by reading online birth stories from other moms. Most of them told it like it was, so I was pretty prepared. Although, even with knowing what would happen, I don't think you're ever really prepared for how it really is, especially since it varies so much from person to person! </p> <p>I was a bit disillusioned with the natural birth crowd after my daughter's birth, though, because so many books talked about how it was panic that caused pain, and you could have a pain free birth without medication, and I'm sorry, maybe SOMEONE out there can, but I sure as hell couldn't.</p> <p>I was also blown away by how long &amp; painful recovery from vaginal birth was. It seemed like everyone else tap-danced home from the hospital and I was dying! Oh yeah, and hemorrhoids? Much worse than I anticipated. For five months. Yech. And most books touch on these things, but don't let you know how bad it can be. I think they don't want to scare women, which I admire, but it's seems like it's just lying at that point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-the-existing-pregnancydelivery-books-tell-it-like-it-is#post-3648 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:16:32 +0000 Coastinganon 3648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They over and under share...for instance, if you aren't careful, the books can freak you out about all of the possible complications, etc...however not once did I ever read about the 'uterine massage' you get after giving birth vaginally, which basically is a nurse ohm ling your belly t help it contract back not shape. Not a big dealif you had an epi...supremely uncomfortable if you went au naturale </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-the-existing-pregnancydelivery-books-tell-it-like-it-is#post-3623 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:04:19 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 3623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never read books for that reason. I think some sugar coat it, others are vague... each birth is different, but clearly I did not educate myself much on the subject either. I told myself my body would know what to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-the-existing-pregnancydelivery-books-tell-it-like-it-is#post-3569 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:26:55 +0000 Andrea 3569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess there are too many possibilities for any book to cover it all? I didn't read many books ahead of time but found that the labor class at my hospital really helped. Since it was at the actual hospital where I delivered, they were able to tell me their exact procedures. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-the-existing-pregnancydelivery-books-tell-it-like-it-is#post-3563 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:19:56 +0000 mrbee 3563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do the existing pregnancy and labor books out there tell the truth, or do they kinda sugarcoat it?</p> <p>I'm wondering because I see a lot of comments expressing surprise at various aspects of childbirth. That kind of makes me think that there's a lot that isn't covered in "What to Expect When You're Expecting"... true or false? </p>