what did you wish you'd known/been told about labour and post-labour (things they don't print in books)

[choufleur]

i wish someone had told me that you can feel the baby go back up sometimes when you're pushing (but it will eventually stay down and come out)

The thought of having a baby pushed back up makes me wince!

I had my back to back baby manually turned during labour and that was bad enough!

I would say that no matter how many scans you've had during pg it's still a huge shock when a little person is put on your chest. It's the most amazing and surreal feeling.

And the tea and toast after labour, as others have said, is the best tasting meal ever.

Contractions (started by pessary) were nothing like as painful as I'd imagined, even at 9cm... or maybe that should read tens machines are freaking awesome.

By contrast, the synto drip was hell on earth and constant excruciating pain.

Back to back babies sometimes just don't descend.

A c section is not scary and you can make a quick recovery.

Post natal bleeding can be lighter than a period from day 1 - nothing like the blood bath I'd expected.

Babies can cry before they are all the way out.

You can refuse treatment.

First poo isnt necessarily traumatic.

Where i am, all the male drs are hot, and all the females are young and stunning. i felt like an extra in greys anatomy.