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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Stupid question, probably

14 replies

MrsHappy · 01/05/2009 21:20

My first baby was born by emcs so I have been watching lots of childbirth videos to prepare for the next one.

I've noticed, especially on waterbirth videos, that after the baby's head has come out a bit of blood usually follows. Does that mean that the mother has torn a bit or is there just a little bit of blood that comes out anyway? If the latter, where does it come from? Is it the same as the mucus plug having some blood in it?

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EldonAve · 01/05/2009 21:24

birth is generally bloody throughout in my limited experience!

thisisyesterday · 01/05/2009 21:24

i have no idea where it comes frm but there was quite a lot of bloody, watery gunky mess around after I had ds2!!! i didn't tear

Ohforfoxsake · 01/05/2009 21:25

Yes there's blood, but I've never torn so couldn't tell you where it comes from.

slushy06 · 01/05/2009 21:26

I didn't tear and loads of blood emerged after and just before baby's head I believe its your womb lining being released. Quite ironically I found it funny for everyone to be kissing and hugging baby as they didn't bath him till next day just wiped him over but no 1 cared

Original poster

MrsHappy · 01/05/2009 21:27

Yes, that's what I always thought but the videos I have been watching seem remarkably unbloody (rather pooey though...). It just made me wonder whether any of them might have got away without tearing, especially as lots of them are so calm and crowning is so slow (but there's still that drop of blood).

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Original poster

MrsHappy · 01/05/2009 21:28

Oooh, it is nice to think that some people never tear. I expect I will (with my luck) but it's good to hope...

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thisisyesterday · 01/05/2009 21:29

slushy, i thought that too! ds2 had his first bath when he was about 2 weeks old lol

thisisyesterday · 01/05/2009 21:30

oh and it prob looks more on a waterbirth cos I guess it spreads quickly through the water?

slushy06 · 01/05/2009 21:32

I thought I would tear but no epi no pre natal massage just followed instructions my baby was back to back and he had his hand stuck by his head guess I was lucky. But my mw kept telling me when and when not to push.

Original poster

MrsHappy · 01/05/2009 21:33

I agree Thisisyesterday, I am sure it looks like more in the water and even then it really is only a drop. I doubt it's more than a couple of teaspoonsful. These videos are completely amazing. I had absolutely no idea what the business end looks like during birth before. Won't be filming mine, though...

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slushy06 · 01/05/2009 21:37

Hope you don't tear mrs happy if you are worried you could try the exercises and speak to mw about making the risk smaller.

Original poster

MrsHappy · 01/05/2009 21:43

Thanks Slushy, I will do. I have an independent midwife who is lovely so I'm sure she will do what she can to help me. I'm just trying to be as prepared as I possibly can as last time I was rather naive and it didn't go well at all...

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slushy06 · 01/05/2009 22:09

have you got long to go mrshappy sorry about emcs hopefully this time will be much better.

Original poster

MrsHappy · 01/05/2009 22:59

Months! Not due until October but I am not working at the moment so have lots of time to focus on this pregnancy and prepare for the birth, which is nice (although maybe am starting to obsess!).

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