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Original poster

What did you learn from giving birth? - Your help needed

217 replies

justiner · 10/12/2003 14:03

Hello all,
Mums on Pregnancy - the second mumsnet book - is due out at the end of Jan and we are beginning to think of some ways to publicise. One of the features we wanted to pitch was 50 "Things I learned from giving birth". The idea is to have a range of responses, some of which might be serious eg I learned that I really don't want to spend the rest of my life with my partner who is an utterly pathetic wimp... and some of which might be funny... that I am not and never will be cool under pressure no matter how much I kid myself I am... or that curries really don't agree with me and having one the night before the birth in attempt to bring labour on was a really bad idea.
We are sure that you guys can do much better than this. So the question is: What did you learn from giving birth?
(Many thanks in advance, Justine, Carrie and Rachel)

OP posts:
dsw · 10/12/2003 14:04

That I would never do it again!!!

oliveoil · 10/12/2003 14:07

That I am glad I didn't bother with a birth plan, ho ho ho ho.

That my midwife was a saint

Pancake · 10/12/2003 14:08

That paper disposable pants really are a godsend!

norma · 10/12/2003 14:08

That I was no longer as important as I had thought I was. After nearly dying in childbirth, you realise that you have done your job of producing another generation, and are not indispensible in nature's eyes.
Brings your own mortality into sharp focus.

samACon · 10/12/2003 14:08

I learnt that I had a far higher pain threshold than I imagined, and that my Mum (who was BP with DH) is quite possibly the coolest mum ever.

Angeliz · 10/12/2003 14:08

thats it's not the end of the world to be practically naked in a room full of strangers!

Helsbels · 10/12/2003 14:10

That people lie to try and make you feel better - especially your mum!!!... that the pain, however, really does stop the second your baby is born (ok it starts again when they put the stitches in )

bobsmum · 10/12/2003 14:11

That I am capable of making a person.

lazyeye · 10/12/2003 14:13

Second OliveOil on glad I didn't bother with a birth plan.

Don't be a martyr to the pain......take something if you really need it.

HZL · 10/12/2003 14:14

That it really doesn't matter a toss if your child does not arrive in the world in the manner you had planned. That just because you refuse all pain relief does not mean you will not require intervention. (I said no to everything - still wound up in theatre with ventouse, spinal block, episiotomy).

FairyMum · 10/12/2003 14:15

That you really do not worry about dignity at all.....

ThomCat · 10/12/2003 14:15

That it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

While it may be a good idea to have birth plan of some desciption they hardly ever get stuck to.

That castor oil really does work, and fast!

That my partner is incredibly laid back!

That lying on your back to give birth is a massive no go (as far as I am concerned) and standing is the only way.That you dodn't bond in the first second, that it can take a bit longer sometimes.

That things don't always go according to plan and you may not quite get the baby you were expecting.

and lastly

That the whole thing is the most amazing, wonderful experience I have ever and will ever encounter.

Tortington · 10/12/2003 14:15

not to do it again

Northerner · 10/12/2003 14:16

That epidurals are a godsend!

Enid · 10/12/2003 14:18

That I am incredibly strong and brave.
That newborn babies are always beautiful to their parents.
That every birth is completely different.

SenoraPostrophe · 10/12/2003 14:19

That I can actually stand more pain than I thought I could (but still not enough! ) and that dp looks really good in a green paper hat.

sb34 · 10/12/2003 14:20

Message withdrawn

salt · 10/12/2003 14:25

That you should comb your hair before the first picture is taken.

sb34 · 10/12/2003 14:25

Message withdrawn

salt · 10/12/2003 14:26

That if someone tells you that you look fine - they're lying!

Hulababy · 10/12/2003 14:27

An birth plan is a great idea to an extent; doesn't help at all though when DD doesn't appear to want to be born

That your own baby truely is the most beautiful, perfect thing that ever existed.

miranda2 · 10/12/2003 14:48

Not to let myself be induced next time if possible.

Not to wear nail varnish when in labour!!! The anaethetist was really annoyed with me when I went into theatre to have my forceps delivery (they all thought it wouldn't work and would be a caesarean) - apparently they need to see your nails to tell if you're OK under the anaesthetic, even with an epidural. They had to zoom off to find nail varnish remover...

fio2 · 10/12/2003 14:53

that things can and do wrong. Even if you have had an emergency cesaerean to save your and your babies life, people will still think you had it easy(?)

Freddiecat · 10/12/2003 14:55

That until the first push I had never put 100% effort into ANYTHING.

M2T · 10/12/2003 14:56

I learned that I had a dimple right at the base of my spine!

Also:

  1. That you don't forget how to breathe the second you go into labour!!

  2. That I'm a strong, brave person. And I'm very proud of myself.

  3. That the terrible tear hurt more than the crowning!

last but not least.

  1. Men are useless when it comes to helping in labour, bless them!