https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 21 May 2026 05:20:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor/page/2#post-2450397 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 01:46:25 +0000 fussygal 2450397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was surprised at how crazy time warped. From the second I felt the first contraction at home time ZOOMED by. It seemed to go even faster once we got to the hospital.</p> <p>How big she was. I never measured ahead and while I wasn't expecting a small baby, I wasn't expecting her to be 10.5 lbs! :shocked: </p> <p>My water didn't break until right before transition and I had kind of forgotten that it hadn't yet, so I was pretty surprised when it did.</p> <p>I was also surprised at how quickly my transition was. I was at a 7.5-8 and remember feeling disappointed that I was going to have to labor longer, but then suddenly they had me pushing. Also, that I only pushed for 40 minutes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor/page/2#post-2450206 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 22:12:01 +0000 MrsScallop 2450206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When checking how dilated I was the Dr said "I think I just put my finger in his mouth...." I just thought that sounded funny and didn't think much of it until she suggested trying to get him to move a bit. I just thought that meant he was face up, which I had heard is hard, but while pushing I found out that being able to feel his face during labor is a bad thing because that means he would likely come out face (nose?) first. It was apparently a terrifying thing to see for my husband (he describes it like a scene from Alien) and hurt like crazy for me to push him out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor/page/2#post-2449814 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 18:59:25 +0000 wrkbrk 2449814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was VERY surprised when my water broke in the middle of a terrible contraction, pre epi, in the hospital. I kind of forgot that would happen haha. It scared the bejesus out of me and was sudden and so hot! And I didn't realize the water keeps coming out with every contraction. No one had ever mentioned that detail to me!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor/page/2#post-2449804 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 18:49:22 +0000 wrkbrk 2449804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Whoa! You found out during labor you couldn't have an epi?!!?! I'm sorry mama! Yikes!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor/page/2#post-2449721 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 17:19:45 +0000 Ms. RV 2449721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had no clue my contractions could be three minutes apart while only being 1cm.</p> <p>Also surprised that the epidural only took away the pain of contractions, pushing, and tearing and that it didn't touch the pain of a pinched nerve in my hip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor/page/2#post-2449718 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 17:18:46 +0000 mrsrain 2449718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: I will definitely be heading in way sooner this time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor/page/2#post-2449700 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 17:08:47 +0000 fancyfunction 2449700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was surprised that although I had an epidural, I felt all the pain of pushing. I pushed for an hr but in hindsight it seemed like 10 min. I was surprised by the shaking too, which started pretty much once I got to triage. I was also surprised that I entered the hospital at 2-3 cm and by the time I was ready for an epi 2 hr later, I was a 9! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor/page/2#post-2449696 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 17:05:21 +0000 Ree723 2449696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had no idea how hard it was to push! I had a brilliantly working epi so I felt nothing and hence, had no idea how I was pushing. I was super in shape but the pushing was far harder than any workout I'd ever done!</p> <p>I was also surprised I wanted a mirror to see what was going on. Prior to labour I would have said not a chance in hell do I want to see what's going on down there, but when my midwife suggested it to help with the pushing, I was all about it and LOVED it! That and the epidural were my only requests for LO2....</p> <p>I also expected to feel the stitches, despite the epidural, and the ring of fire, but felt neither of those either time. I also never felt an urge to push, which everyone said I would feel despite the epi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor/page/2#post-2449672 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 16:48:42 +0000 anniefannie 2449672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This wasn't a complete surprise since so many people have said how tiring pushing is, but I was quite surprised how exhausting pushing actually is. I was dizzy and weak after and could barely see straight after 90 mins of intensity.</p> <p>Also, I expected a small baby but I was shocked as to how small he was. 4lbs 13oz. Totally healthy and strong and full term, but just small. It shocked us both when we saw him though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449657 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 16:34:46 +0000 smocks 2449657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I have completely blocked out most memories from my labor, but I do remember both times being WAY easier than I had anticipated. I had 2 of the easiest deliveries on the face of the planet. Both were under 9 hours, pushed like 3 times for both, had amazing epidurals... I have been extremely lucky. Felt like a truck hit me afterwards, but the labors themselves were easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449646 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 16:27:03 +0000 youboots 2449646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A lot surprised me. Labor took 42 hours. I was also surprised that my epi failed. I could not believe how thirsty I was. Or that I would puke so many times. That they would be mopping blood up off the floor. That I would not be able to shower right away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449627 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 16:15:24 +0000 Astro Bee 2449627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Rain: Mine started at 2 mins apart, but we were told in class that they should be less than 5 mins for an hour. So I waited 45 mins before waking DH up, and then waited the full hour before calling the hospital. I have been told that next time I should not wait that long, but I was confused, because it didn't meet my expectations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449599 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 16:06:52 +0000 LindsayLou 2449599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A lot of things...how my water broke (suddenly, no prior contractions, gushing), how short my labor was (7 hours) and how intense it all was, how focused and turned inward I was, how much hair baby was born with, how big she was (I'm only 5'1, kiddo was 21 inches when she was born), how quickly I forgot how excruciatingly painful labor was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449568 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 15:52:21 +0000 mrsrain 2449568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BrandNewMom: I had a similar issue. My contractions started out about 3 minutes apart and stayed that way! I called my doula super confused because it didn't fit the pattern everyone tells you to look for. </p> <p>My contractions also did this thing where they would be regular for a long time and then I'd have a break of like five or six minutes, and then the next contraction would be more intense. It was this stair-step thing, which was pretty cool. My water broke on one of those step-up contractions!</p> <p>Finally, I was surprised that pushing was so much worse than regular contractions! So many people say that pushing is a relief after labor, but for me it was so much worse! Thankfully it only went on for 40 minutes before DD made her appearance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449454 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 14:49:19 +0000 BrandNewMom 2449454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it was my contraction pattern. I was taught that contractions don't usually get worse than one or two every five minutes.<br /> I had spontaneous labor, where your contractions are continuous (I had 40-50 minutes of contractions then a 2-3 minute break, rinse and repeat) and gave birth in 5 hours.<br /> Was not expecting that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449373 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 14:22:33 +0000 MrsStar 2449373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me I was surprised how easy pushing was (which is pretty much opposite of what everyone else is saying!) lo1 I was convinced I needed to push but nobody believed me because i was 5cm a few minutes beforehand - baby was born less then 5 minutes after that with 1 push. Baby number 2 was 3 pushes. I also prepared myself for the ring of fire both times but never felt it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449345 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 14:07:15 +0000 simplyfelicity 2449345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was surprised by how different contractions can feel, depending on the person. I didn't feel mine in my belly or back, I felt them in my hips. It honestly felt like I was being pulled apart at the hips. *shudder*</p> <p>I was also surprised how high the Pitocin was. At it's highest, they had it at 18. </p> <p>I was surprised that he hadn't dropped at all which is why pushing took three hours (he also was tilted, apparently, and had a hand next to his face.)</p> <p>I was surprised that it took 32 hours even though I was 3cm and 60% effaced. </p> <p>@DesertDreams88: I was told to push the same way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449328 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:57:44 +0000 rachiecakes 2449328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had no idea what back labor was.<br /> All the books kind of glossed over it. I never once felt a contraction in my abdomen.<br /> Also, when my water broke, I felt his entire body fall down. Right after that labor started immediately, fast and furious. No gradual build up. Black-out, ears ringing, tasting metallic contractions. I thought I was having a seizure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449320 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:52:11 +0000 Corduroy 2449320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO1: How freakin long labor took. Days. I had no idea you could have labor that lasted longer than two days. Also, I knew nothing about unorganized contractions. Who knew they could come back to back (actually back to front to back). </p> <p>LO2: I had no idea that labor could not hurt. I even googled "why doesn't my labor hurt?". Of course, a few minutes later the pain went from zero to ten. By that time contractions were two minutes apart and I was in transition with a bumper-to-bumper commute traffic ride to the hospital ahead of me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449284 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:23:59 +0000 Foodnerd81 2449284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: oh yeah- that my first was a girl! We were team green but EVERYONE was sure it was a boy. I was sure it was a boy. When they said it was a girl we were both like, wait, really??? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449278 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:21:37 +0000 BandDmommy 2449278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to have pitocin 2nd pregnancy because my water broke and there was chance of infection. I didn't realize how often pitocin is increased, I thought my OB was crazy... He kept upping it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449275 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:20:30 +0000 MrsKoala 2449275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only surprise for me was how big he was (over 9 lbs). I always measured exactly right every week and never had any indication he'd be that big. When they weighed him and told me what it was, my jaw dropped. I had always just assumed I'd have at least an 8 lber because that's how big I was but had no clue he'd be that big. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449268 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:18:29 +0000 lamariniere 2449268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How fast it was the second time. I went from 1st contraction to baby in 45 minutes. Definitely wasn't expecting that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449266 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:18:09 +0000 JenGirl 2449266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought of a couple more!</p> <p>Time! I had no sense of time. When they told me the time he was born, I had to ask if it was AM or PM.</p> <p>Also, they had a mirror set up so I could see everything and told me I should look because you could see the baby's head. Yeah. I would not have known that was the head if I wasn't told. It was all white and wrinkled. I had a wild thought that I was looking at brain and the baby had some sort of cranial defect. But it was just wrinkled skin because he was being squished through the birth canal. Head looked totally normal once it was out. Later on, my husband also commented that it looked super weird. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449257 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:16:50 +0000 Alivoo01 2449257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural and right before I was ready to push, I was shaking violently, but when I had a contraction, the shakes stopped. Then it'd resume once the contraction ended. So weird! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449255 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:16:40 +0000 BandDmommy 2449255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: my husband was freaked out by the shaking and he kept asking the nurses.. They were like "she's fine." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449254 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:16:38 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2449254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>with my first I was surprised that pushing could take so long - I pushed for 4 hours! I thought it was like 30 min max. I wasnt asked to push like you described, but my nurse did tell me at about the 3 hr mark to push like I was doing a cat/cow yoga move (down &amp; up at the same time) and I was shocked. I remember asking if I'd been pushing wrong the whole time!</p> <p>For my second, I was shocked that I had pushed her head out. I had only had like 10 very strong contractions and I was only vaguely aware that I was pushing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449233 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:07:35 +0000 PurplePeony 2449233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: yes about the shakes! I was like, "is this normal???"</p> <p>@travellingbee: I also was surprised by how much time had passed, I completely lost track. My birth prep class (hypnobirthing) was big on not watching the clock, though, and my care team respected that.</p> <p>Finally, the sheer physicality of pushing surprised me. I wish someone had told me that it's pretty much like jumping straight into a marathon when you usually don't run more than a block to catch the bus, haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449229 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:06:12 +0000 DesertDreams88 2449229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: me too! I was pretty cognizant of time from about 1-4 or 5 cm, but after that, nope.... I thought my contractions 5-8cm were spaced out by about 2-3 minutes but my husband insists they were every other minute, just duller. I also have no idea how I spent about 8 hours going from 8 to 10 cm. That was a time warp. Lastly I thought I pushed for a half hour but I'm told it was a little over an hour. I thought those contractions were back to back, but they were 5 minutes apart, the longest spacing of my entire labor experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/surprises-during-labor#post-2449223 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:01:45 +0000 Astro Bee 2449223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also amazed that it's possible for the cervix to be 100% effaced and almost totally closed up. I was totally effaced and 0.5 cm dilated when I arrived at the hospital. An hour later I was 2.5 cm, and an hour and a half after that (probably less, but it's when they next checked) I was fully dilated. So, also surprised at how fast that part went, longer than my pushing! </p>