WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

What Real Moms Wish They Knew About Labor

Childbirth
Stages of labor
What Real Moms Wish They Knew About Labor
Labor is divided into three main stages.
The first stage is all about cervical dilation and effacement. Your cervix needs to dilate to about 10 cm and become paper-thin (or effaced) for baby's grand entrance.
  • Cervical dilation: Your cervix widens from 0 to 10 cm.
  • Effacement: The cervix shortens and thins, going from being tube-shaped to flat.
  • Contractions: Rhythmic tightening and relaxing of your uterine muscle. Ouch but wow! 😅
Contractions are the headlining act here. They come in intervals and increase in frequency, duration, and intensity. Keep track of them using a contraction timer. As they say, this ain't a sprint; it's a marathon!
The Techniques: How to Breathe, Push, and Manage Pain
We've all seen the movies where the mom-to-be is red-faced, screaming, and not knowing whether to push or breathe.
Spoiler alert: Hollywood isn't a great maternity ward.
The second stage of labor is all about pushing and breathing. You've got options, lovely!
  • Lamaze Breathing: Inhale deeply through the nose, exhale through pursed lips. It's a bit like you're blowing out birthday candles—just don't make a wish for an easier labor; it won't work. 🎂
  • Kegel Exercises: Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles to give you better control while pushing.
  • Epidural: Medically speaking, this is the anesthetic injected into the spinal cord to block pain. A lifesaver for many!
Your medical team will guide you, but feel free to speak up about your pain management preferences. Whether you're going au naturel or begging for that epidural, you're a superstar either way!
The Waiting Game: What Happens Between Contractions
The lulls between contractions can feel like an eternity, but these breaks are actually a crucial part of the third stage of labor.
This is when your body catches its breath (literally) and gears up for the next contraction. So what to do? You've got to stay active but relaxed.
Sounds like an oxymoron, but trust us, it's doable.
  • Deep Breathing: Yes, we're back at breathing, but it's so important!
  • Light Snacking: Consult your doctor first, but a little sustenance could go a long way.
  • Repositioning: Changing your position can help with the baby's descent and your comfort.
Keep the communication lines open with your medical team during these intervals. If something feels off, it's crucial to speak up. You're the boss, mama!
Baby's First Debut: The Birth and Immediate Aftercare
And now for the final act—delivery and the fourth stage of labor, also known as the recovery stage.
Once your baby is out (yay!), your uterus will continue to contract to expel the placenta.
This takes about 5 to 30 minutes, and it's way easier than pushing out a baby, promise!
  • Umbilical cord: Clamped and cut, giving your baby their first taste of independence.
  • Skin-to-skin: This is crucial for bonding and helps regulate the baby's body temperature.
  • Latching: If you're breastfeeding, now's the time for baby's first meal.
During this stage, your vitals and bleeding will be closely monitored.
So while you're soaking in the first magical moments with your bundle of joy, rest assured that you're in good hands. You've got this, Mom! 🌟
Keep learning
5 Common Labor Myths Debunked
4 min read
Why Labor Is Not Like the Movies
4 min read
R
Risa
30 Sep 2023

Any moms out there willing to give advice on newborns things people don’t really talk about things you wish you knew before I do a lot of research but I feel it’s not enough please if you can share anything in the comments please let me know😭💗💗

Childbirth Stages of labor
1 comments
T
Taylor Colon
I wish lavender soap or candles helps newborn sleeep
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
T
Taylor
3 Jun 2023

Omg please help!! Is there any holistic moms out there? I’m drowning in anxiety about giving birth an being in a hospital. I know they won’t follow my birth plan and I don’t want to be pumped with unnecessary medication during labor. I am doing so much research it’s overwhelming. I’m stressing myself out. This is my first baby and I just wish I knew the procedure of giving birth in the hospital better.

Childbirth Stages of labor
6 comments
A
Andranique
Breath ! Call mom down and don’t stress , write down your birth plan and sign it and they have to honor it . Also have someone who has your best interests in the room with you . And I always advise my patients to write a living will because you just never know what may happen . Most of all stay prayed up and give it to GOD
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
T
Taylor
Thank you so much. I really wanted a at home birth but I’m really small. I’m only 4’9 and my boyfriend/baby daddy is 6’10! I just hope my baby isn’t too big to push out! If it wasn’t for my baby daddy’s other kids being 10lbs, I would 100% give birth at home with doula and midwife.
27 Mar 2024

Answer

D
Drea
8 Dec 2022

Starting to feel bowel pressure what some moms on here said they experienced close to labor 😩😩 he literally everywhere

Childbirth Stages of labor
8 comments
B
Bry 😘
Yessss have me up Tryna shit every night 😮‍💨
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
K
Kataya
I been like that on and off all day, and feel like I'm constipated, and been peeing alot.
27 Mar 2024

Answer

J
Jasmine
25 Oct 2022

Ugh first time mom things 😭😭😭 i wish i knew about thrush 🥴🥴 glad her dr can see her today !

Childbirth Stages of labor
6 comments
S
Sharnell
She’ll b fine mamas, it some you can manage! Don’t worry, doc will prescribe some or like the Mommy’s bliss little gums or a mouth gel for baby will help also…. Hope she’s better soon hun💕
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
J
Jasmine
Thank you mamas yep dr prescribed something 🙌☺️ so now I'll know to wipe mouth after feedings . How is baby doing
27 Mar 2024

Answer

B
Britt
4 Oct 2022

Hello Mamas!! The other day I asked if any other moms knew of any work from home jobs. I had plenty wanting to know the same. But no real answer. So fb saved the day.. Here you go mamas.. Good luck ladies!! 😘

Childbirth Stages of labor
3 comments
b
brionca
You can’t see them like that
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
M
Maddy
6 Jul 2022

For moms who have already delivered, what did you pack in your labor bag, and what did you actually use or wish you had packed? #laborbag #hospitalbag

Childbirth Stages of labor
1 comments
L
Lynn🌻
Lots of snacks for daddy, a pair of clothes to go home in, undies, clean bra, tooth brush, tooth paste, pads,deodorant & diaper bag with baby clothes, a hat for baby, mittens for baby, baby book :)
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
💙
💙Rªə💙
24 Nov 2021

So any other moms not know they were pregnant until they were in labor? 😅just me? Okay 😂

Childbirth Stages of labor
6 comments
💙
💙Rªə💙
it really was!
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments

Related articles

Hot topics

More questions from Moms