DISCLOSURE: As a blogger, my content may include affiliate links from advertisers. I may earn a commission from actions readers take on these links, such as a click, purchase, or subscribe. However, these are the tools that I recommend fully and have helped my blog tremendously, and are at no cost to you.
Labour experiences are so personal to every single mums. Some mums feel it is a smooth and easy experience, but some feel it is traumatic and painful.
Many mums and few fathers spoken at length about their labours at birth. Most of the women had a vaginal birth for at least one child. Caesarean section was also common, as we’re instrumental births such as forceps, vaccum auction assisted, episiotomy and pharmacological pain relief during labour.
Many women went to labour spontaneously, while some had to be induced like myself. It is natural to be nervous about labour especially for first time mums and dads. Your thoughts may be filled with questions such as：What should I do when water breaks? What should be my birth plan to make it as easy as possible for myself and my partner? What does labour feels like and how painful would it be? What degree of tear will I get? Do I need gas and/or epidural and what are the possible consequences if I use them?…. The questions are mindblowing!
While experiences are different for everyone, labour usually starts with mild menstrual cramps then gradually increases it’s intensity to very strong and painful cramps that may take your breath away and unable to talk. As labour continues, the pain worsens with more frequent and stronger cramps, at a point that you may started to request for pain relieving aids such as breathing into gas or eventually needing epidural when the pain becomes unbearable. The mum tunes out stimuli and adopts a tunnel vision, focusing on the labour and getting baby out. For me personally, I could see from the reflection of the ‘mirroring wall’ in my theatre room, a tiny bit of my bub’s head with a little bit of hair at that stage. Eventually a mum’s cervix dilates completely and ready to push hard and give birth.
During this pushing phase, some people feel clingy, not wanting their partners to leave their sides; some yell and become uncharacteristically demanding; some tremble and feel overwhelmed and anxious; and some lose all sense of modesty. To some people, pushing feels like you are having a large bowel movement. When the baby finally starts to come out, many people feel they pooped just like what my mum used to tell me.
My labour experiences were overall quite well, as I was overdue for my baby, we arranged a induction in which we could choose the date for her birth to take in place. And we arrived at the hospital at around 7：30am in the morning, I had a sweep of my membrane in the early morning and later hormone oxytocin into my arm.
My water was later broken (rupture of membranes) and I started getting into labour around 2pm in the afternoon. I asked for my own ‘pain reliefs’ and energy boosters include diffuser with relaxing lavender essential oil, chocolate bars and sweet juices, as well as my favourite guitar music playing at the background. However, it got more and more painful due to more frequent and stronger contractions and my endurance for the pain could not hold any longer, I then asked for an epidural treatment. An epidural is an injection given in your back to numb nerves that carry feelings of pain from the birth canal to the brain.
Gladly it did not took too long for the whole process to end, my girl was born at around 4：15pm. Though my husband was by my side being the support person, He had took few videos of the whole process, to tell you the truth, the details are way more complicated than what I have described. For me, it is an painful, exhausting and tiring process, however as a mum once you meet your baby, you simply forget all about that and immersed in exhilarating moment of happiness instead (while your husband was looking at the bloody side of the view).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q1: What should I do when my water breaks?
A1: If your water breaks, it’s time to call your healthcare provider and head to the hospital. Keep track of the time and any changes in fluid color or odor, as this information will be helpful for your medical team.
Q2: How can I create a birth plan to ease the process for myself and my partner?
A2: A birth plan is a helpful tool for communicating your preferences and expectations to your healthcare team. Consider factors such as pain management options, labor positions, and postpartum care when creating your plan.
Q3: What does labor feel like, and how painful is it?
A3: Labor pain is unique to each individual and can range from mild discomfort to intense pressure and cramping. Many women describe it as similar to menstrual cramps, while others experience a more intense sensation.
Q4: Do I need gas and/or an epidural, and what are the possible consequences if I use them?
A4: Pain relief options such as gas and epidurals can provide effective relief during labor. It’s essential to discuss the benefits and potential risks of each option with your healthcare provider to make an informed decision.
Q5: What is an epidural, and how does it work?
A5: An epidural is a form of pain relief administered through a catheter placed in the lower back. It works by blocking nerve signals from the birth canal to the brain, providing effective pain relief during labor.
Q6: What are the signs that labor is approaching?
A6: Signs that labor may be approaching include regular contractions, a “bloody show” (mucus tinged with blood), rupture of membranes (water breaking), and a sensation of the baby dropping lower into the pelvis. It’s essential to contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of these signs.
Q7: How can I manage anxiety and fear about labor?
A7: Managing anxiety and fear about labor involves various coping strategies, such as attending childbirth education classes, practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing and visualization, and seeking support from your healthcare provider, partner, or a doula. Additionally, staying informed about the labor process can help alleviate fears.
Q8: What role does the birth partner play during labor?
A8: The birth partner plays a crucial role in providing emotional support, advocating for the mother’s preferences and needs, assisting with comfort measures such as massage and positioning, and communicating with healthcare providers. Their presence can significantly impact the mother’s experience and sense of empowerment during labor.
Q9: What are the benefits of skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth?
A9: Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth has numerous benefits for both mother and baby, including regulating the baby’s temperature, stabilizing their heart rate and breathing, promoting bonding and breastfeeding initiation, and reducing stress for both mother and baby. It’s encouraged as part of the early postpartum care.
Q10: What should I expect during the postpartum period?
A10: The postpartum period, often referred to as the “fourth trimester,” involves physical recovery from childbirth, emotional adjustments, and learning to care for a newborn. Expect changes in hormone levels, vaginal bleeding (lochia), breast engorgement, and challenges such as sleep deprivation and adjusting to a new routine. Seeking support from healthcare providers, family, and friends is essential during this transition.
Labor is a journey of epic proportions, where every twist and turn brings us closer to the miracle of life. As we navigate the highs and lows of childbirth, may we find strength in our shared experiences and emerge victorious in the end. If you have a labor story to share, we’d love to hear from you – drop us an email at [email protected] so we can also learn and share your story with fellow parents on this extraordinary journey. Stay tuned for more tales from the trenches of parenthood!