6 aches and pains
Labor pains in your thighs? A “ring of fire” as you push? There are some labor sensations that might be total shockers to you—and we can’t prepare you for all of them, as every woman experiences labor slightly differently. If anything feels too weird, defi nitely consult your doctor. (It’s probably normal, but it’s smart to check.)
7
what’s going on with my butt?
Not to totally freak you out or anything, but one of the strangest sensations, say Bumpies, is pain in your, um, rectal area. “It felt like my butt was going to explode,” says Anna S. “I asked, ‘Are you sure it’s not going to explode?’¸” No, it won’t explode, but it might be sore for a while during recovery, because of all the pressure and strain from pushing. (Take the stool softeners they’ll likely offer at the hospital.)
SHUTTERSTOCK
SHUTTERSTOCK
8
music and entertainment
Surprise, surprise. Some Bumpies found themselves with a little unexpected time on their hands in the delivery room. “The only thing I Googled in labor was Netflix,” says Pitterpatter129. “We watched reruns of The Office.” And even if you don’t think you’re the kind of mom-to-be who wants calming music during delivery, you could prove yourself wrong. “My husband looked up Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons for me when I asked him to,” says Anna W. “He hates classical music but muscled through it, since I was in labor.” Bring your iPod just in case.
9
episiotomies and tearing
One of the biggest delivery fears is having any tearing or cutting down there. So it’s understandable that you’d be so worried about having either that you might have been feverishly looking them up on your phone. But try to relax, forget about the worst-case scenarios and focus on giving birth to a healthy baby. Remember: Plenty of moms have had episiotomies and stitches and lived to tell about them. And if you happen to be one of them, your OB will help you through the procedure, and you should heal within a few weeks.
happens after…? 10 what “I wanted more postpartum info,”
says Diana C. Some women are so focused on getting through labor—and so eager to care for baby—that they forget about what they need to do to care for themselves. You can brush up on postpartum-care basics at TheBump .com/postbirth. Ultimately, though, it’s important to get personalized advice for you and the kind of birth you have. That’s why your OB, midwife, doula or postpartum nurses are such valuable resources. Don’t be afraid to ask them your most probing questions, while you’ve got their attention.
Get all your delivery questions answered at TheBump.com/birth
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