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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)

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motherinferior · 10/12/2003 15:08

That the pen is not always mightier than the sword and that sometimes it is NOT a good idea to correct the spelling on your emergency medical consent form.

(I have already used this in an article though, guys - but you are welcome to it if you'd like!).

motherinferior · 10/12/2003 15:08

That the pen is not always mightier than the sword and that sometimes it is NOT a good idea to correct the spelling on your emergency medical consent form.

(I have already used this in an article though, guys - but you are welcome to it if you'd like!).

motherinferior · 10/12/2003 15:09

That anyone who thinks birth is an overwhelmingly sexual experience does not get out enough, at least not to the right places.

MammyShirl · 10/12/2003 15:09

that your body really does have a mind of its own, it still amazes me when i think of the incredible feeling to push in the second stage, its mad that your body can start contracting without your control.

that my vagina could open that wide!!! i remember the days wondering how on earth would i get that tampon in!!!

its also mad how all your inhibitions are let down as you enter the second stage, you become this extroverted, loud, determined, "dont give a f*" cave woman - off goes the clothes, you dont give a damn who is around and what you look like (very different fron the 12 hours previous when you where slighty shy letting lettingthe midwife examine you and you jokingly told you dh to stand down your end and stop looking). i remeber at my second stage i was praying out loud to god, naked, bent over the bed (had nothad a good bikini waxing in ages - yikes! and pregnancy hormones do very strange things to your hair growth) and howling like a mad woman!

the strangest thing of all is after the above my lovely darling husband still fancies me after seeing me in such a scary state and nudges me at night for a bit of the other...

M2T · 10/12/2003 15:16

I learned that in that situation it is okay and apparently quite common to literally sh*t yourself!

I also learned that I definitely wanted to go through it all again...

bundle · 10/12/2003 15:16

that all that medical intervention is worth it (it helps if you trust the doctors!), once you are presented with a live & well beautiful daughter (twice) after emergency caesareans.

- that a private room is a MUST, especially if you've had a c/s, just to get some sleep because other people's babies make a lot of noise
- that your body is an amazing thing.
- this is what I've been waiting for, all my life.
- you need twice as many nappies/sanitary towels/babygros/flannels/old knickers/breast pads/snacks and treats as you'd imagine.

tinyfeet · 10/12/2003 15:19

I'm right there with northerner - that epidurals are a godsend, and that anyone who contemplates birth without one is a martyr or insane.

tinyfeet · 10/12/2003 15:20

That giving birth is like having the most painful, largest bowel movement of your entire life. No one would describe something so beautiful in such terms, but when I think about it, it is really like this. Sorry to you newly pregnant women out there.

M2T · 10/12/2003 15:21

Oooooooo controversial epidural comments!

I don't think I am a martyr or insane!! (well not all the time. )

dinosaur · 10/12/2003 15:23

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

SoupDragon · 10/12/2003 15:28

That there are a number of songs which really shouln't be played in the delivery room. Torn by Natalie Imbruglia being the main one that springs to mind. I heard it 4 times during DS1s labour.

That it does more than "smart a little"

That I may be shy but lying on my back with my legs in the air whilst a male anaethetist wanders round for a good look at the repair work doesn't faze me too much.

codswallop · 10/12/2003 15:28

that it really hurts and shouting doesnt help

bundle · 10/12/2003 15:33

(my friend in australia once offered an anaesthetist a kidney, if he ever needed one he should just call..thanks to his superior epidural-giving skills )

tinyfeet · 10/12/2003 15:34

Oops, sorry M2t, didn't mean to offend. Just can't imagine deciding not to have an epidural. . .

sb34 · 10/12/2003 15:34

Message withdrawn

prufrock · 10/12/2003 15:35

That having an emergency c-section does not mean you have to relinquish all control of the experience (actually didn't learn that at the time but wished I had)

That asking dh to pick 1st outfit out of selection you brought to the hospital means he will pick the extra babygro in the horrid colour that was meant for emergencies only

That it is possible to fall in love at first sight (but not a given for everybody)

codswallop · 10/12/2003 15:37

that you shouldnt eat in the vry early stages as that food may come back and haunt you

Northerner · 10/12/2003 15:39

That taking photographs of a woman just after giving birth should NOT be allowed

That in hospital they don't bring you your breakfast the next day - you have to bloody get up and get it yourself!

Northerner · 10/12/2003 15:40

Coddy - especially and egg sarnie IME!

sb34 · 10/12/2003 15:43

Message withdrawn

M2T · 10/12/2003 15:43

Oh yes! I almost forgot this one.....

In reality the hospital DO NOT take care of your newborn to let you sleep a few hours!!! Grrrrr!

M2T · 10/12/2003 15:50

One bad thing I learned was that everyone doesn't find breastfeeding "the most natural thing in the world".

Ds and I weren't very good at it and we gave up after 4 days.

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Northerner · 10/12/2003 15:52

LOL M2T! That's so true. I remember being horrified when they wheeled me through to the ward, with ds in his fishtank next to my bed, and I was crapping myself thinking 'what do i do if he cries?'

jmg · 10/12/2003 15:54

That having lots of stiches 'down there' doesn't actually hurt that much...after they are put in

codswallop · 10/12/2003 15:56

I learned the meaning of pure exultation.

this took me three births to achieve though

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