I think we can pretty much all agree that labor and delivery is one of the scariest parts about pregnancy. I remember thinking, when will I go into labor? Will my water break at work? What if I don’t make it to the hospital in time? How bad is this going to hurt?
I never really thought about what labor and delivery would be like once I was in the hospital. So, I’m here to share with you 5 things first time moms need to know about labor and delivery.
There’s A Room Before The Room
I like to refer to this room as The Green Room. Like, the kind of room you would get ready in if you were a celebrity. Except, it’s far less glamorous, doesn’t have your favorite snacks, or someone doing your hair and makeup. This is the room that you go into before you go into your hospital room where you’ll actually have your baby. Unless, you’re like me and end up having your 2nd baby in triage (you can read that story here). I always thought that once it was time to have the baby I would go right into the hospital room where I would deliver.
After my water broke, at home, I called my doctor and she advised me to go to the hospital. I checked in and sat in a waiting room to be seen. Once they finally called my name, they took me back to a room to take all of my vitals, change me into a gown, and test to make sure it was my water that actually broke (and that I didn’t just piss my pants?). Once they confirmed my water broke they attached me to a monitor and I waited…and waited.
I sat in that room for what felt like days. Luckily, there was a little TV in the room that my husband hogged for himself to watch the rest of the basketball game we had to abruptly leave watching at home. It’s a good thing he had that to distract him from my labor pains.
You Can’t Eat Once You’re At The Hospital
I repeat, you cannot eat once you are the hospital. I mean, I kind of knew this going into it, but I was so worried about making sure we had everything before leaving the house I didn’t even think about my last supper. Had I known it would have been 365 days before my next meal, I would have stopped at Chick-Fil-A on my way in, and I don’t care if that meant I would have delivered my daughter in the drive-thru.
I lost count, but I’m pretty sure I was in labor for 119 hours. For those 119 hours, I hadn’t eaten and barely slept. No one told me I was going to need to go into survival mode once I was in the hospital. I remember dry heaving from the pain and starvation. I’m also pretty sure the first thing I asked after I had my daughter was, when can I eat?
Get Your Epidural Before Your Really Need It
With my first born, my plan was to have a natural birth. I wanted a natural birth because I didn’t want an IV and was afraid of how bad the epidural would hurt. Well, let me tell you, the epidural tickles in comparison to labor pains. I held out for as long as I could, but could no longer stand the pain. By that point, I had excruciating labor pains. Once I had decided to get the epidural I was lucky enough that the anestesialogist came to my room shortly after. However, I’ve heard from others moms that it took hours to get them to the room. So, my advice for you would be to get the epidural before you really need it.
There’s Pain After The Pain
I never considered that there would be pain after the pain of labor. Now, it’s not nearly as bad as contractions, but I thought once I had the baby it would be over. After you have the baby, and for the days you’re at the hospital, the nurses come in and press down on your belly. I believe they do this to make sure that your uterus is going back down to normal size. Also, if you’re breastfeeding you will feel this pain as you breastfeed. If I’m not mistaken, I believe breastfeeding helps it shrink faster back to it’s normal size. It’s amazing how the human body works.
What I never knew is how bad my girl bits would hurt after giving birth. For DAYS it was so painful to use the bathroom, wipe myself, and even sit on a soft bed. Considering how often you have to sit up to get your baby out of the crib next to you, this part was incredibly painful. If you have a vaginal birth, they’ll give you a squirt bottle to use to clean yourself after the bathroom because everything is too sore to wipe. If you’re worried about keeping things pretty for your husband, you might as well throw that idea out of the window.
Lastly, while I know all women are different, you may want to prepare yourself for all of the bleeding. The bleeding can last days, or sometimes even weeks. I’m not kidding when I say you need to get yourself some adult diapers. That is the #1 thing I tell moms to pack when packing their hospital bag.
You Don’t Leave The Hospital Room…For Days
I mean, I didn’t expect that I’d be able to leave, go shopping, and come back to my baby, but damn. Being confined to a hospital room for 3 days is enough to drive anyone insane. I only left the room to attend a car seat class and to watch my baby get her first bath. I didn’t think that they hosted happy hours for new moms (although I think that’s actually the best idea ever), but I never considered how boring it would be in the hospital. All that to say, make sure you bring plenty to keep you entertained while you’re there, or at least plenty of snacks!
I was lucky enough to have really great experiences at the hospital with both of my children. Besides the one nurse who totally misjudged how dilated I was and sent me walking at the hospital when I was in full blown labor, I had really great nurses that were so friendly and comforting during what is undeniably the scariest days of my life.
I hope I didn’t make anyone who is currently pregnant for the first time reading this more scared labor and delivery. I think it’s really important to talk openly about these things so that you know what to expect and don’t feel so alone.
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If you want to read more about my labor and delivery experiences, check out my post I Loved You From The Moment I Ate.
Veteran mamas, what would you add to this list?
Amanda says
this is a great list!
when my first baby was born, my water broke and i went straight to the hospital. i was starving bc i didn’t eat. almost 4 hours after i arrived my dr checked me and i was just 4 cm dilated. he said i wasn’t technically in labor so i could eat if i wanted. i was so happy!!! i still remember that amazing bacon egg and cheese bagel!
my baby was born about 14 hours later and during the really hard contractions i actually regretted that sandwich!! so glad it didn’t come back up 🙂
Kbahgat says
Haha yea, that wouldn’t have been fun! I was actually dry-heaving into a bucket because I was starving, but in so much pain! The worst!
Sydney says
Okay, this was super helpful. I am not pregnant yet but i also think it is really great to get all the info before jumping in! Thanks for sharing!
Kbahgat says
Aww, thank you Sydney! Thanks for reading!
Shayla Thiessen says
I wish I had read this before my labor, it’s a really great resource for first time moms
Kbahgat says
Thank you!
Tricia says
I learned the hard way not to wait too long for an epidural. By the time they got to it, i was too far gone—felt everything on one side!
Kbahgat says
Oh no! Giving birth is literally the craziest thing. I can’t believe us women can withstand that pain and survive!
Breanna | messy buns and mom jeans says
Ugh the epidural tip is legit!
Kbahgat says
Seriously, mamas should never wait!
Brittany says
i just gave birth 5 weeks ago so i was super interested to read your article. I did not know There was a “triage” room before being admitted either! Theh had me in there for 3 hours! And lots of pain after the pain! Getting my stomach Pressed was horrible and that first pee was absolutely terrible!
Kbahgat says
Yes, girl, yes! Stuff no one EVER mentioned!
Annie says
All great tips – I felt the exact same way about the food. My husband slipped me two crackers during labor #2 and I can’t stress enough how those 2 crackers carried me through 🙂
LENEE' says
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR BLOG POST, BLOG STYLE, FONT, COLORS, EVERYTHING! READING THIS REMINDED ME OF THE SWEET DAYS OF MY DAUGHTER BEING BORN, AND I HOPE I GET TO EXPERIENCE THIS AGAIN. THANKS FOR YOUR POST!
Supriya says
This post and list are super helpful for all the expectant moms out there. Great to read this