Ten Things No One Tells You About Giving Birth

1. Your Waters Don’t Break Like in Movies

In movies labour is often portrayed as a dramatic event: your water breaks in a gush, and you’re rushed to the hospital in a frenzy. While it might occasionally happen, the majority of times your waters don’t break like in TV shows. My waters didn’t break at all. My amazing midwife popped them minutes before I started pushing.

2. Be Prepared for Your Birth Plan to Change and Stay Flexible

Birth plans are great for setting intentions but flexibility and openness to change are key. Once I was 36 weeks pregnant I revised my birth plan again and again. My perfect birth with all the do’s/don’t’s. While, Thank God, 90% of it was the same as the plan – spontaneous labour with no induction, vaginal birth with no assisted instruments, I did not “plan” for the 3rd stage of labour – delivery of the placenta. I assumed that once the baby was out, I will get the injection and the placenta will come out. Guess what… it didn’t. I ended up being rolled in theatre and I had a surgery called Manual Removal of the Placenta. Luckily all is well when it ends well – a healthy baby and a healthy mama!

3. Labour Can Take a Long Time and Once You Get Your First Contraction, It Can Take Days

Maybe. I woke up with a cramping, sharp pain early morning. All the ante-natal classes taught me that I should stay home as long as possible and chill, watch Netflix, relax and try to get some sleep. My contractions were 12-14 minutes from the start. There was no time for Netflix and chilling (at least I definitely didn’t chill). I was in labour for 24 hours before I had Philip on my arms. Early labor, active labor, and pushing all take time. Be patient with yourself and trust your body.

4. Pushing Isn’t Like in Books

You might think pushing is all about brute strength, but it’s more about working with your body, breathing and trusting that your body knows what to do. It’s a strange and exhausting sensation but with every next push, you get closer to meeting your bundle of joy.

5. It’s Very Messy… and That’s Normal

Giving birth is a raw, physical process. There’s blood, all types of bodily fluids and more that no one really talks about. Don’t be embarrassed; your medical team has seen it all and trust me – they really don’t care Focus on the amazing work your body is doing.

6. “The Ring of Fire” is Called The Ring of Fire for a Reason

As your baby crowns, you will feel a burning or stinging sensation known as the “ring of fire.” It’s very intense but your body’s natural hormones will help you push through it. This is also when you most probably will get your big(er) tear(s).

7. You Might Shake

Giving birth is called a labour for a reason. It is a long, exhausting, tough process. Some women experience uncontrollable shaking during or after labor, even if they’re not cold. It’s caused by a combination of hormones, adrenaline, and exhaustion. I was shaking for what I thought was hours and could not control it. Eventually it went away on its own.

8. Postpartum Recovery Starts Immediately

As soon as your baby arrives, your body begins its recovery process. You will be feeling sore, you will be bleeding, and I also could not sit comfortably for about two weeks after birth (I had a 2nd degree tear). Ice pads, squirting peri bottles, and plenty of rest will become your best friends. Your baby is not the only one who will be wearing diapers – so will you the first couple of days after giving birth.

9. Your Hormones Will Be All Over the Place

The tsunami of emotions after giving birth is a real rollercoaster. Baby blues is a real thing – one moment you are happy and elated and the next – you are crying your eyes out. It is all normal – you just birthed another human being. Make sure you look for support if these emotions get prolonged or if you think you experience postpartum depression.

10. Trust Your Instincts

Finally, remember that every birth story is unique. Trust your body and your instincts.