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MOSTLY A’S AND A FEW B’S

Dear mom-to-be, you’re not likely to win the prize for the birthing boffin of the year, but at least you have a vague idea of what awaits, as long as the doctor doesn’t use too many medical terms that aren’t too complicated. Keep reading Your Pregnancy & Baby magazine (and the info down here) to further increase your knowledge. The more informed you are, the easier it is to make the right choices and decisions in the labour ward, when you’re not your best self anyway. Enjoy the adventure ahead!

JUST B’S

Dear mom-to-be, your hospital bag is no doubt packed and ready to go, and you got an A+ in the antenatal classes, right? You’re as prepared for this as a small dog for its first walk. You probably have a carefully worked-out birth plan and know what you want. But be realistic in your expectations and ready to adapt – labour is no exact science, and your carefully made plans can be changed in a heartbeat by a wilful little mister or missy with his or her own ideas. Relax, hang in there, and enjoy those first wondrous moments with your baby!

ONLY C’S

Okay, we think you should sit down first, because it may take a while: are you sure you know you’re pregnant? You’ll have to get with the programme pretty soon, otherwise there will be a couple of very big – and not always pleasant – surprises in store for you down the line! Firstly you should know that only about 5 percent of babies are born on their expected birth date. You’re probably in labour if your contractions gradually become stronger and follow in quicker succession. Call the hospital or doctor and ask when you should come in – most will advise you to stay put at home until your contractions are about five minutes apart.

A doula who supports you emotionally can help make the labour easier. Don’t lie down flat for the whole time; rather walk around, squat, lean forward, go down on all fours – whatever helps to better deal with the pain. Prepare yourself for a relatively long first phase – you dilate at a rate of about 1cm per hour until you’re 10cm, when Baby can be delivered. Then a shorter second phase follows, a slight breather, and then the placenta is delivered. Your baby should be born head first face down to your back – any other position will make labour more difficult, and if they want to come out bum or feet first, your doctor will insist on a c-section.

Sometimes, if your baby’s head is extraordinarily large, the doctor can make a small incision in the perineum, so that the head has more room to get through. Don’t rush the labour process – it can take up to 24 hours (or even longer), especially with a first baby. Fortunately you’re not in constant pain during this time – it comes and goes. The average woman’s baby is born within 12 to 15 hours.

Lastly, and let’s make this abundantly clear in order to prevent any disappointment: you’re not magically going to return to your pre-pregnancy weight the moment you leave the labour ward. Most of us leave with half of it still on our backs (or bum), so rather don’t pack your skinniest jeans. ●