10 things we wish we'd known about giving birth

You've spent nine months planning for this one event, battling all kind of emotions - so here are 10 things we wish we'd known about giving birth.

The thoughts of childbirth are exciting, nerve-wracking, kind of scary, and maybe panic-inducing all at once.

Some things you'll know, some you won't, and some you'd rather you didn't!

10 things we wish we'd known about giving birth

But here at Caribbean Moms, we want to keep you informed so you can be prepared for what's to come.

So here are 10 things we wish we'd known about labour.

1. You might need to be induced: You will probably have planned out every inch of your labour and birth experience in your head, right down to what you'll be wearing. But be warned; a lot of this is outside of your control. You might need to be induced if you're overdue, if you have health problems such as problems with your heart, lungs, or kidneys, there are problems with the placenta, or if there are problems with the fetus, such as poor growth.
2. Your birth plan might not happen: We know it seems ironic that we're encouraging you to have a birth plan and then saying it might not even happen. But it's so important to expect the unexpected when it comes to the delivery suite, and to be flexible. Rest assured that you and baby are in safe hands and their safe delivery and your wellbeing are the priorities.
3. Your water won't break in a gush: We've all seen the movies, but in reality your water will likely trickle steadily or not break at all!
4. Contractions are very painful: There's no sugarcoating this. Your body is expelling a small human, and it hurts like hell!
5. You might vomit: We wish someone had warned us about this one but yeah, vomiting during labor can be caused by the pain of contractions and as a response to the hormonal shifts that happen as contractions become longer, stronger, and closer together. Vomiting can also be caused by dehydration, which ironically, vomiting makes worse.
6. You will likely poop: Hormones, your baby's position, and all the pushing mean there's a high chance you will poop during labour. And that's totally fine and normal. Leave your inhibitions at the door!
7. Your baby isn't the only delivery: The third stage of labour is when your placenta and the bag that held your baby and the amniotic fluid are delivered. You may not know you're in the third stage as you'll be busy getting to know your baby.
8. There might be quite a few people in the audience: You'll obviously be expecting your ob-gyn and your birthing partner, but you will also have a labor and delivery nurse, a doctor or midwife, an anesthesiologist, possibly an ob tech, and some other nurses, specialists and students.
9. You will bleed for about six weeks after birth: It is normal to bleed from your vagina after having a baby. This bleeding can last for up to 6 weeks. It is usually heaviest straight after the birth and reduces a lot in the days that follow. The blood is bright red at first.
10. The first visit to the toilet is all-important: It's typical to have your first postpartum poop between three and five days after giving birth. But that's just an estimate. Some women might go the same day they give birth, while for others, it can take up to a week. Try to eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, salad, wholegrain cereals and wholemeal bread, and drink plenty of water.