Things we wish we had known about CHILDBIRTH. From mothers to mothers.
Continuing on from my previous post this blog series is all details and accounts from mothers to mothers all across the world, of all ages and nationalities and mother with older and younger children. Just a clear reminder; some of the things you read about in this post are from other people's personal experiences. This doesn't mean that it will happen to you or that your birth/pregnancy will end that way. Every mother, pregnancy, birth and journey is completely different and individual.
Laura UK / Singapore
- Actually having to deliver the placenta. It's like a whole other baby coming out after your child.
- The Catheter. (needed when you have an epidural). Nothing like seeing a bag of your own wee; even when you didn't know you were having one! Don't get me started on when they take the catheter out......
Laura is actually my older sister and is the mother to my first and only niece; she's a fierce and inspirational mother; who is honest and always trying to learn and better herself. Seeing Laura have my niece and be a parent has really allowed me to understand a lot more about birth and motherhood from a completely different light. What I love about my sister and her way of parenting is that she's real. She is not afraid to say today was not a good day and that she's struggling, but she's also a resilient parent who in constantly broadening her mentality and consistently trying to be better and do better. I see you, boo.
With regards to what Laura wished she'd known more about in terms of her childbirth; people. people. Just the word catheter makes me tense up... I literally don't want to even imagine that feeling of whipping something out of your Urethra. I'm sure that was not an added bonus of childbirth that you'd expected to happen. As for the placenta, see when I first started learning about birth and pregnancy; I was aware that after the baby/babies come then comes the placenta(s), but I honestly assumed because it's of a different structure/texture it sort of eventually slides out. Supposedly not, I've heard that most the time you still contract and have to make some type of pushing/effort to get it out properly. Obviously there are various was the placenta can come out (sometimes you'll need some extra help with a manual placental delivery, if you have a retained placenta.) Either way I'm sure the last thing you want to do is keep pushing something or anything out when you've just brought your baby into the world.
Ashleigh UK
- How invasive the overall labour process can be; constant examinations, catheters and medicines being administered in unwanted places!
- How much energy childbirth takes up.
Ashleigh's birth was the true definition of labour and then some! She worked so hard throughout the entire process and eventually did need to get some extra help as things were going south (literally). As she needed some surgical assistance (not a C Section) a catheter was fitted and surprisingly for her some other things were administered via suppository, which was not expected. I'm sure birth is already overwhelming as it is, without all the extra add ons that Ashleigh faced. Nevertheless Ashleigh really is such a refreshing mother; as even-though her labour wasn't "textbook" and had its ups and downs; she is still positive about childbirth and birth.
Sarah USA
- The birth wasn't the frightening part, it was bringing home a baby! Or in Sarah's case; two!
Sarah had her twins via Caesarean section and said that bringing the girls home was more scary for her than her birth. I can imagine that after giving birth some mothers want to get home and be in their own space and homes again; to feel comfortable. While as others, would prefer to be in the hospital/birth centre just that bit longer. As when you've had your baby if you have questions or concerns you are surrounded by healthcare professionals and those who strive to support and help you (most the time), but when you go home, that's when it's up to you. You are now the bus driver on this journey, and I'm sure that's an impeccably overwhelming feeling at first because you're not really sure what to do/how to do it and why. (Especially for first time mothers). But, every new season in life is different and you are not alone; so learning as you go along is perfectly normal. No one is expecting you to know everything and be 100% perfect and prepared every second of the day.
*Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional nor am I medically qualified. These blog posts are based on research, opinions and my perspectives/others that I've asked.*
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