https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:04:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth/page/2#post-268502 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 19:50:46 +0000 heffalump 268502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: seriously! For a second there in all of those crazy hormones my mind was thinking "I didn't actually see her come out......" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth/page/2#post-267991 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:28:42 +0000 MegWag 267991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Be prepared to let go of your plan. My labour ended up not going at all the way I planned, but I'd prepared myself ahead of time to be flexible. I believe this is the reason I don't have massive regret about not having the experience I'd ideally wanted. The midwives kept apologizing that things weren't going to plan and I was like "I'm over it, let's do this".<br /> Also, pant through the ring of fire. Don't push. Let things expand on their own. I didn't have any tearing.<br /> And my recovery was a breeze, (Largely due to the lack of tearing, I think.) so don't think it's going to be awful. I didn't have any ruined clothes from awful bleeding. I felt pretty great, even though I laboured for over 40 hours. You aren't doomed to an awful experience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267981 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:13:43 +0000 birdofafeather 267981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: 'So don't be surprised when they put a baby on your chest and you think, "who's baby is that?!"'</p> <p>that made me laugh out loud. i can just imagine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267851 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:28:43 +0000 enjollah 267851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Utilize the lactation consultant during your stay there. Tell the nurses right away that you are interested in seeing the lactation consultant...especially for a first time mom, you want to make sure you're breastfeeding right. I was lucky that I got to see mine twice during my stay there. </p> <p>Everyone will be excited to visit you in the hospital but don't be scared to tell people no. There will always be opportunities for them to see the baby. Take some time to step back and savor the moment with your brand new family. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267789 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:49:01 +0000 pastemoo 267789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>WAIT to go to the hospital. You do not want to be in the hospital for longer than you need to. If it doesn't hurt much yet, stay home.</p> <p>If your water breaks it's not an emergency (if there is meconium in it, the water will be colored and you want to call your hospital). If the water is clear, you can wait to go the hospital (but no sex or internal exams)--ANY checks can introduce infection so opt for as few cervical checks as possible.<br /> I wish I had let my labor progress at home instead of going to the hospital because my water broke. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267774 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:26:33 +0000 MaisyMay 267774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all for sharing your experiences! I'm like many of the others, bookmarking this for December! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267713 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:27:57 +0000 sorrycharlie 267713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: oh boy..#5 scares me! my birthing class didn't cover a bit of postpartum, so I'm terrified. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267703 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:22:34 +0000 cyndistar3 267703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tell people that deep breathing can get you through anything if you believe it will! I am the biggest cry baby ever and I was able to breathe my way through 49 hours of back labor naturally! It is when you lose control when things go south. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267681 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:00:41 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 267681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Know that the hospital staff is on your side. After watching several documentaries promoting natural childbirth and reading Ina May's book, I was pretty cynical of the whole medical world and was convinced the doctor's and nurses wouldn't let me do what was best for me. I thought IVs and fetal monitoring were the devil. I thought an epidural was bad for me and my baby and would slow down labor, I thought the doctorshospital were evil for inducing me, and was bitter that I couldn't deliver at a birthing center (I was high risk). However, I learned through my experience that the hospital staff really does want what is best for you. Your baby is going to be healthy whether or not you get an epidural. Epidurals do not slow down your labor. Your doctor wants you healthy! I was so insistent on having a natural childbirth that I went into it very closed minded. I ended up having the opposite of that, but everything worked out fine and I had an extremely positive experience.</p> <p>After 8 or 9 hours of labor and two failed epis, I ended up getting a mild one that just took some of the pain out of my back (I had a posterior baby). Once that happened, things got easier not only for me but my DH. I wasnt so reliant on him and he wasn't having anxiety watching me suffer through agony. I wasn't numb after, and got up to pee within an hour. Honestly. I don't know why I didn't do it sooner! I also had ivs and pitocin and fetal monitoring, and I STILL had a positive birth experience and a happy baby. </p> <p>I guess with all this rambling I am trying to tell you to have an open mind and trust your medical team. Phew!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267549 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:13:04 +0000 Weagle 267549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sloaneandpuffy: Yes! All I heard were horror stories about how terrible it is, and I LOVED labor and delivery! It wasn't even close to being as bad as I expected. I now make sure to tell all of my friends that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267522 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:37:54 +0000 winniebee 267522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's such great advice here!</p> <p>1. I liked the labor through contracts standing up, bent over, swaying hips side to side.</p> <p>2. If you plan to get an epidural, just get it and don't wait it out. I don't know why I waited to get one but I did and contractions were terrible.</p> <p>3. Try to be in the moment - with your partner - with your baby. I have very fond memories of labor, even though parts of it sucked.</p> <p>4. Be prepared to puke. I puked before pushing and right after and felt nauseous for a good 5 hours after labor. That surprised me. </p> <p>5. Labor is nothing compared to the recovery (emotional/physical) and the recovery is nothing compared to the toll that the first 2 weeks of motherhood takes on you.</p> <p>GOOD LUCK! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267503 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:24:44 +0000 looch 267503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Research enough to be informed but don't go overboard. It's not really necessary to read everyone's birth story in detail...chances are your birth will not be anything like it, so trust your body to do what it was made to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267499 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:21:54 +0000 mamimami 267499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The best thing anyone said to me while I was pregnant the first time was, "It's not as bad as people say." While everyone has their own experience, it was nice to hear something other than how horrible it is. And you know what, for me it really wasn't as bad as people say. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267495 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:17:11 +0000 mediagirl 267495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: awww. There might be but I think anything baby related and birth related made me tear up during my whole pregnancy. :) Birth is just....amazing. No matter how you go through it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267413 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:13:31 +0000 plaidpants 267413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugmama: "Who you are every day is not a good indication of who you will be during child birth." I love this and I think it's great advice. I was so sure I was going to end up getting epidural even though I really wanted to have a medication-free birth, because everyone kept reminding me what a wimp I am about pain. I felt ready to give in before I even started. But I discovered I was so much tougher and stronger than everyone (including me) thought, and I surprised them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267404 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:06:28 +0000 sorrycharlie 267404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: is there another hormone surge close to the end? because reading your post just made me tear up! I haven't been this teary since early on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267401 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:01:11 +0000 mediagirl 267401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Thehistoryofus: yes! Tell your husband to keep that camera ready for as soon as that baby comes out. The image of the doctor holding her up for me to see her is burned into my brain forever, but we have no pictures of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267376 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 07:43:56 +0000 heffalump 267376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You think that you'll recognize your baby but you won't. Just because you've been carrying it for 9 months in your belly doesn't mean you've ever seen it before in your life (other than ultrasounds which really don't do babies justice). So don't be surprised when they put a baby on your chest and you think, "who's baby is that?!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267372 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 07:41:38 +0000 Goldilocks1107 267372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Be prepared to vomit. After going 10 hours with no food, I begged the nurse for anything with calories. Since my hospital is okay with jello, she gave me some of that. I ate half and threw it up. Then I tried gatorade. That came back up. After that, I resigned myself to being hungry, drinking only water and hoping labor wouldn't last too long!</p> <p>And don't bother with cute labor outfits. I threw away the underwear I wore to the hospital (which is why I wore old undies to start with!) because you really don't want to take anything home that you were wearing when your water broke. And was more than happy to lounge around in the crappy hospital gown because, really, you aren't focused on how you look! Save the cute outfit for when visitors come (and after they leave, put the hospital gown back on, in case you bleed through your pad). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267370 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 07:39:27 +0000 Pipers Mommy 267370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally agree that contractions are so much worse if you are just lying in bed. I found that if I squatted I handled them so much better.<br /> I wish I had been more demanding of my nurses the first time around post delivery. I didn't want to bother anyone with silly requests- this time, I am going to pressing the call button a lot more.<br /> Keep an open mind is a big one, don't be upset if you have to change your birth plan or want to go med free and cave for an epidural. No one is going to think any less of you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267367 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 07:36:04 +0000 dagret 267367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Such a great topic and responses - thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267362 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 07:30:19 +0000 mrsjyw 267362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LOVE THIS!!! Please post more! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267348 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 06:56:12 +0000 purrpletulips 267348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1) Don't compare your delivery to another woman's; every birth is different as is every woman and baby.<br /> 2) If you don't end up with the delivery you dreamed, don't beat yourself up.<br /> 3) Don't be afraid to speak up for yourself even if it means telling your husband to stop doing something (mine insisted we watch a movie because that is what someone told him they did while his wife was in labor, I wanted it quiet so I could rest my L&amp;D nurse had to intervene). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267344 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 06:42:49 +0000 T.H.O.U. 267344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Keep an open mind. Do your research so you are knowledgeable but don't rule something out or plan on something. I thought I would love a tub because I read that everyone does and I never wanted to get in. </p> <p>2. You can kick visitors out. I think I made my mom and MIL upset that I told them they couldn't be in the room. It actually was nice to have them in there for a bit as a distraction while I was laboring. However, I did want everyone out when I started pushing. My husband knew this and all I had to do was give him a look and he had the nurses take care of it. </p> <p>3. Take LOTS of pictures! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267332 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 05:07:43 +0000 MsLipGloss 267332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all so, so much for sharing . . . with 2 weeks to go, my imagintation is really starting to get the better of me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267329 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 04:34:47 +0000 Sweet T 267329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't beat yourself up if your birth turns out to be different than what you wanted. There are some things you can't control. You grew a human being. You're a rockstar no matter how they make their appearance.</p> <p>Tell the nurses if you don't want visitors. They'll play bad guy if you want.</p> <p>Get out of the bed during labor!!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267295 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:00:50 +0000 BSB 267295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great thread! Subscribing... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267210 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:20:55 +0000 runsyellowlites 267210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Your body knows exactly what to do even though you've never done it.</p> <p>2. Contractions suck WAY more laying down.</p> <p>3. Your body is not a lemon, trust it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267170 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:22:35 +0000 jennylynn 267170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meredithNYC: @Coco Bee: Seriously. The nurse wouldn't let me keep my underwear on, so at one point I asked for a towel to sit on so I didn't have to keep having the pad on my bed changed. It was insane! I wish someone would have told me to expect that beforehand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-what-would-you-tell-the-pregnant-ladies-about-childbirth#post-267168 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:20:18 +0000 junebugmama 267168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Who you are every day is not a good indication of who you will be during child birth. If you are planner, you may give all of that up during the process. If you are a wimp, you may be the strongest woman ever. If you are independent, you may find that you need other people to support you during this process. It's amazing how different child birth is from anything else. I am a very vocal individual. I chose in the moment to labor in silence. No yelling, crying, moaning, music, talking to my hubby, nothing. Just touching and silence.</p> <p>Going in thinking that you will be a certain way, may have a negative effect on you. Wait to make decisions about what you may need or want, in the moment. </p>