What To Expect During Labor? It Varies, But Some Things Never Change!

What To Expect During Labor? It Varies, But Some Things Never Change!

You've been anticipating your little bundle of joy for some nine months now. You've shopped for nursery items, eaten right, gained a substantial number of pounds and now you're absolutely ready to deliver this child! As your pregnancy gets further into the last trimester, you tend to tire easily and it gets more and more difficult to sleep. You hoist your belly from side to side throughout the night, both for comfort's sake and so that you don't squish your liver, according to the doctor. O.K. You're ready. How do you know the baby's ready? Here are six inevitables in the what to expect during labor experience.

The first sign that your baby is planning a breakout is when your water breaks. This can happen literally at any time. You might be browsing in a bookstore when all of a sudden, without warning, you've got a puddle of water at your feet. This is definitely the time to call your doctor and a cab! Where you go can be up for grabs. You might end up at home, playing a waiting game. If you've had no contractions before your water broke, you might have a long wait. Listen to your doctor. One Mom-to-be might wait more than a day until contractions are coming just a few minutes apart, while another might rush to the hospital, hoping not to give birth in the cab.

That quick trip to the hospital may seem an obvious in what to expect during labor. It's what they don't tell you that you need to know. Unless the road is as smooth as glass and the vehicle you're in has a killer suspension system, you will feel every little piece of gravel that hits those tires. You may find yourself holding on to your tummy around turns. It's always good if the trip is short!

Upon arrival at the hospital, you'll be wheeled into a room for prepping, unless the baby's already on its way. Be prepared to wait and be measured, with a variety of monitors placed on your body and around your bed. Nurses will monitor your contractions. When you're sufficiently dilated, you'll be wheeled into the delivery room.

In this phase, what to expect during labor involves a bevy of hospital personnel telling you what to do. You may have taken all the birth preparation classes available, but they'll tell you what to do anyway. Some of them can strike you as a bit overbearing, in your current state. You might feel like giving them each a piece of your mind. They will tell you how to breathe!

On this short list of what to expect during labor is considerable pain. Before you go into labor, ask your doctor about pain-deadening options and the possible effects on your child.

The beautiful part is getting that sweet child in your arms. Now is time for some well-deserved rest!

Summary

It's always good if the trip is short! Upon arrival at the hospital, you'll be wheeled into a room for prepping, unless the baby's already on its way. Be prepared to wait and be measured, with a variety of monitors placed on your body and around your bed. Nurses will monitor your contractions. When you're sufficiently dilated, you'll be wheeled into the delivery room.