Random Facts About Labor and Birth
You took all the classes, read all the books, and listened to all the podcasts about labor and birth. You probably feel like you know everything there is to know. I’m hear to tell you that at least one thing during labor will likely surprise you and make you think, “is this normal?” or “I didn’t know that!”. Here are a few of those random things.
The hospital will not admit you to the labor and delivery unit as soon as your labor starts. Most providers want you to be in more active labor before they will admit you to the hospital. Don’t run to the hospital (I’m looking at you dads-to-be) after your first contraction.
Once your water breaks, you will continue to leak amniotic fluid until your baby is born. Water breaking is not a one and done kind of thing.
Getting shaky is pretty normal during labor. This can happen during active labor and transition, after you get an epidural, and right after your baby is born.
Getting an epidural does not mean you won’t feel anything at all. You will likely feel more comfortable after it is placed but you will still feel the pressure of each contraction.
You will see blood during labor. Sometimes this is called bloody show and it indicates cervical change.
Contractions aren’t just felt in the uterus. Sometimes people feel contractions in their back and in their thighs.
Labor isn’t over when your baby is born. You still have to birth your placenta and you may have to push it out (don’t worry..much easier .and quicker to push out than a baby!)
Contraction frequency isn’t always a good indicator of where you are in labor progression. You could be having contractions every 4 minutes but they only last 30 seconds and you can talk through them or you could be having contractions every 8 minutes that are 90 seconds long and you can’t do anything but moan through them. The best indication of progression is the strength and length of the contraction.
You don’t have to give birth on your back; even with an epidural. You can push in a lot of different positions even with an epidural.
Plans change. It is ok to have to pivot on decisions you make during your labor and birth. What matters is that you know all of your options and make a decision that’s best for you and your baby in that moment.