Pregnancy's Best Kept Secrets

rchddap1

One is quite enough considering all we've been through. Besides she's already a huge handful. I have a 3 year old nephew...and I have no idea how I'd cope with them both together!

Paula_anne

I'm pregnant with my third, so know what i'm doing but i'm not to keen on the after pains of birth they were really painful last time apparently they get worse each time, the after pains were worse then my real labour.

Anneliese13

Sorry if it's been mentioned before, but I was shocked that they don't give you adequate pain relief before stitching you up! I was apparently given a local, "just like at the dentists", but they didn't give it any time to kick in and started stitching my poor traumatised bits straight way. Do they think that because you've given birth just using gas and air you'll just be able to cope?

What do they give you blokes having vasectomies under local? If you don't feel every incision then I want what you get! I'm having my second in a few weeks and quite frankly this is the only thing terrifying me. I don't think I'll be responsible for my actions if I'm told by another male student that "it can't be that bad - only a few more to do"...

modgit

Paula_anne wrote: »

I'm pregnant with my third, so know what i'm doing but i'm not to keen on the after pains of birth they were really painful last time apparently they get worse each time, the after pains were worse then my real labour.

I had our 3rd in December and had no after pains at all, and after my second they were really bad. I'd prepared for the worse too, and for what it's worth, quickest labour by far! 2hrs 20 something for a 9lb 8oz, so hope yours goes as well.

Curious_George_2

well...
the bit that freaked me out that nobody warned me about was after i had given birth, i was asked if i wanted to get a shower... as i had been in labour for 14 hours and was battered and feeling quite grubby (this birthing is a mucky business!) i was very happy too...
I had a lovely shower, brushed my teeth, felt much better and then i started to dry myself.... but the blood from down below wouldnt stop coming!!
i had to try and figure out a way to get out of the shower, dry myself and get clean knickers and about 4 maternity pads on without bleeding all over my legs and the hospitals towels!
in the end i think i got the pad filled knickers on then did a half arsed job of rinsing my legs again so i could at least pretend to be clean!
it was like a bloodbath!

there is a fantastic book for all pregnant mums, its called the best friends guide to pregnancy, (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Friends-Guide-Pregnancy-Everything/dp/0747533253 £1.90 used and new moneysavers! )
it is american but has UK information too (but its not really a medical book so the differences in our medical care doesnt really come into it) its all about what your doctors should tell you but you end up learning on your own or through friends, i laughed til i cried both times ive read it.

I was surprised how long i got left alone while in labour (OH was there.. i mean by the midwives) it can seem hours before they take any notice of you!

what an amazing relief feeling it is when they pop your waters with that crochet hook, it felt brilliant and it was no small trickle by any means... it went GUSH right off the other end of the bed like a tidal wave (the MW had to change her shoes!!!)

after a certin point you think your contractions are continuous but everyone else in the room can see your going up and down with each one, you think its non stop so why isnt anybody helping you??!!

the surprise when you realise that 'bellowing like a moose' sound you can hear is actually coming from you.

how a tens machine can feel like heaven to start with and you consider marrying it.... but then the next second its the most annoying thing you have ever felt and it must die!

how minutes will feel like hours and then hours will pass like seconds when your still spaced out after giving birth, I read the same newspaper 6 times while in hospital and couldnt have told you a single story featured i was so out of it!
and that no matter how tired you are you can not sleep because should you take your eyes off your baby for even a minute it will stop breathing, and yet there will be a third or fourth time mum with a newborn in the bed next to you who passes out within seconds of getting in bed because they know its the ONLY peace they will get!

how you thought all babies were gorgeous until you look around the maternity ward and none of them are as cute as yours... infact some of them are damn scary!

sorry guys.... but the worst bit had to be the stitches, they dont "heal" they tighten, a few days after birth i was in tears just from weeing, the thought of pooing made me want to collapse, luckily my midwife was lovely and gave me a suppository to soften my poop so it slid out quietly (aided by my jug of warm water that got poured down my bits EVERYTIME i went to the loo!)
she arrived one day and i was hysterical because i couldnt wee and couldnt walk due to the tightening stitches, she took me upstairs which took TEN minutes just to get to my bedroom (and i dont mean i live in a castle! lol)
she snipped the rotten things out and a few seconds later i ran downstairs to get her my health record book and ran back up with no problems!

i am now nearly 12 weeks pregnant with my second and the only thing that scares me is possibly needing stitches down there again.

helend

Sorry if it's been mentioned before, but I was shocked that they don't give you adequate pain relief before stitching you up! I was apparently given a local, "just like at the dentists", but they didn't give it any time to kick in and started stitching my poor traumatised bits straight way. Do they think that because you've given birth just using gas and air you'll just be able to cope?

What do they give you blokes having vasectomies under local? If you don't feel every incision then I want what you get! I'm having my second in a few weeks and quite frankly this is the only thing terrifying me. I don't think I'll be responsible for my actions if I'm told by another male student that "it can't be that bad - only a few more to do"...
_________________________________________________________________
I was terrified for EXACTLY the same reason as you when I had my second, and even though baby was bigger I didn't tear at all, just a slight graze which didn't need stitches and healed in no time. Actual birth was quicker as well. I think second time round your body knows what its doing so its not as traumatic.

Curious_George_2

ohhhh my god! ive just thought of the BIGGEST pregnancy secret ever and having read most of this thread i ont think anyone has mentioned it....


After your baby is born....
Nobody tells you how much you will miss your bump

heather38

i have only just started to miss my bump, dd is 6 months old and i HATED being pregnant, it was awful, my body wasn't my own and i got really bad stretch marks on my thighs and i couldn't wait till it was over, now i want to do it all over again (but OH wont let me!!)

wendyh

I had epidurals with both children as my pain threshold is nothing! The afterpains with the second were really bad, and also resting the baby (while trying to feed them) too long on your deflated balloon tummy not long after giving birth is not clever either. Cold leafy cabbage - fantastic for sore melon boobs. Also arnic tablets as soon as you go into labour. It makes you heal faster. Don't buy the maternity sanitary towels, buy the biggest normal ones you can find and they will save you a fortune. Also paper knickers.

Becles

Curious_George wrote: »

I had a lovely shower, brushed my teeth, felt much better and then i started to dry myself.... but the blood from down below wouldnt stop coming!!
i had to try and figure out a way to get out of the shower, dry myself and get clean knickers and about 4 maternity pads on without bleeding all over my legs and the hospitals towels!

This made me laugh

Next time try my method of coming out the shower, wedging a pad between your legs, then trying to get dried and put fresh knickers and pad on, without opening your thighs.