9 Things You Didn't Expect During Childbirth

As the clock to your due date starts ticking away, you begin to get anxious about what’s to come. What if you deliver your baby before reaching the hospital? What if your immediate family is not around when you get into labor? What if your midwife doesn’t arrive in time (if you have opted for home birth)? You might have a lot of questions and anxieties in mind, you might be prepared with your hospital bag as well. However, some things might not be in control during childbirth and here’s how it might go:

In This Article

1. May Have Contractions And Still Be Sent Home

Yes, I remember how my best friend told me that she had mild cramp like contractions for almost twelve hours. When she finally drove to the hospital, the symptoms of labor were not in full swing yet. So she was sent home only to return the following day when the contractions resumed, only to be stronger.

2. May Eventually Not Want Your Partner To Be Around You

Your partner might be kind enough to offer you all the help, stay up round the clock just in case. But as it might be typical, he will be tired and sleep deprived by the time you go into labor, so little help will come through. Plus, he might be holding your hands or legs and might squeeze you out. So you realize you are better off on your own. You might want to rely more on your midwife or doctor than on your husband this time around. You may also not want to see a scared husband, who is freaking out for you.

3. Feel Like A Biology Specimen

Seriously. If only those medical students knew what it is to be a mother. There will be people doing the rounds, the nurse, the doctor, and the medical students studying you. Your face would have gone downs shades of paleness, your expressions showing the pain, but you force a smile when they say something nice to you because they must. Back in the corridor, they have their party time, while you begin to scream. Not to forget your husband who gets his meals served in the suit. So you feel like this biological specimen that is nailed flat while everybody else is doing their own thing.

4. May Be Rushed In For A C-Section

Yes, even with the good intentions of the doctors who want you to have a normal delivery, you might still end up getting a C-section in case of an emergency.

5. Might Get A Catheter Even For A Vaginal Delivery

While a catheter is common in C-section, your nurse may still put you on a catheter during vaginal birth. It might help reduce your need to get up and use the washroom at intervals. But the discomfort that a catheter gives you might linger on for the next couple of days, even after you have been discharged from the hospital and you are up and about.

6. Contractions Might Persist For A While After Delivery

You shouldn’t be surprised if your contractions recur after the delivery. These contractions occur because your uterus gets back to the pre-pregnancy position. While it is normal, you might not have foreseen this happening to you.

7. It Might Happen Faster Than You Thought

The thought of having to endure it all for a pretty long time might come as a welcome relief if your baby is in quite a hurry to make an early entry into the world.

8. You Might Have A Tingling Sensation

If you feel numbness or tingling sensation in your arms and legs, you are hyperventilating. Ask your doctor for help.

9. Your Voice Might Go Coarse

With all the screaming and crying, your voice would have gone shrill at the end of it all. You will just need some stamina to come back to normalcy.

You would have heard and read a number of childbirth experiences. However, there could be certain events that might surprise you. Share with us your stories. We love to hear from you!

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