Wednesday 17 September 2008

Giving birth (most women's nightmares)

This is the part of pregnancy that most woman dread and can't wait for in equal measures. It is a mixture of fear and anticipation, there are so many unknowns, whether its your first or your fifth ever birth is different.

It is perfectly natural to be scared, all mothers are a little, no matter how many children they have had or what they lead you to believe. The good thing is that most mother say that after the child is born all the memories of the labour quickly fade and many can remember very little as the fears are replaced with overwhelming joy. On the other hand some say they can remember every minute but the good news is that no matter how traumatic the birth of their first child is most aren't put off and still have another.

We think the best way to prepare yourself is to get as much information as possible about what to expect, decide what type of birth you wish to have and make a birthing plan and to attend anti natal classes with your birthing partner.

Best tip ever is, not expect the labour or birth to be exactly as you imagine them, you have to be flexible and adapt to the situation and try to take medical advice, even if it flies in the face of everything you thought you wanted.


With gaining as much knowledge as you can in mind the 3 stages of labour are as follows

  • the dilation of the cervix,
  • the delivery of the baby,
  • and the delivery of the placenta. (many people forget this step we think its coz you never see it on the telly)


For first-time mothers, labour takes around 12 to 24 hours. Women who have undergone childbirth before can expect about seven hours of labour. But as we have said every birth is different for every mother some are really quick and others are not, most woman have different birthing experiences with different children so if you have a long hard birth the first time it does not follow that that will happen again and unfortunately vice versa.