Giving birth can be both joyful and frightening with a number of surprises along the way (even for experienced Mamalettes who’ve already been there, pushed that).
Here, experienced Doctors talk about five things the many moms they’ve worked with don’t always expect from labour and birth
1. The first time takes time… First-time moms often don’t expect to be in labour a long time. Many women are surprised by just how long their first-time labor and delivery can last: It’s not uncommon to last until 24 hours or even longer.
READ: Is Child Birth A Miracle?
2 …but the next time’s quicker. Ironically, lots of second-time moms who had a long labour the first time around are shocked to find the second baby comes fast and easy. While it’s always best to labour at home for as long as possible, once those contractions start getting close, listen to your body telling you it’s baby time.
3. Your doctor likely won’t be there the whole time. Many mothers expect their doctor to be with them a good portion of the time and are often surprised to see him or her there for only a short time (often after advanced labour, only once they start pushing).
4. You might not need drugs. Here in Nigeria, many women are able to labour and deliver naturally. Time and time again we’ve heard mothers talk about the sense of accomplishment they feel after bringing a new life into the world naturally — and how their body was able to do more than they ever thought possible.
FOR YOU: 10 Things Nobody Tell You About Labour
5. Your husband might get emotional (and you may too). Many women are surprised to see their husbands cry when the baby’s born. It’s such an emotional experience — a culmination of nine months of hopes, expectations, anxiety and joy — coming through in a single final moment. At the same time, many moms are surprised that they may feel depressed after birth. Postpartum depression is really common, and it’s important to get support and find the resources you need to make sure both you and your baby are able to adjust.
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