I am here to tell you some more!

Whether you’re nervous about giving birth for first time mom or going into your second birth feeling like you need to education yourself, I am here for it. I asked for some mother’s input on what they wish they would have known about birth, so here are some of those topics. If someone hasn’t told you yet, I will…

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***Please keep in mind that these are my own words and some of my experiences, which was a mostly uncomplicated birth. I am not saying go against your medical professional by any means, this article is to enlighten you with knowledge of things Mothers usually aren’t told, don’t know or don’t talk about. I’m writing this to encourage you to be knowledgeable about birth and start an open conversation with your provider so you both know what you want. If you’d like to read more about these topics, I’ve attached professional articles under each one or talk to your health practitioner.

“Birth is the epicenter of women’s power.”

-Ani DeFranco

After your baby has been delivered, you also need to deliver the placenta, which is attached to your baby’s umbilical cord. Delivering the placenta hurts for some women. From my personal experience, it was like an extremely mild ring of fire and out with one push. Nothing crazy!

There is something called the “ring of fire” that happens…

when baby starts making its way out… yep. It’s also called crowning. If you’re nervous about giving birth for the first time or you have had a c section prior, this is important to know! This is when the baby’s head is finally visible in the birth canal, and you’re fully dilated. It’s literally the home stretch and I mean that in every way possible! It lasts a couple seconds usually, but those are probably the longest seconds of your life!

It’s not normal to have students in your delivery room…

This is something that should be asked for permission to happen. And if you weren’t asked and you don’t want them in there, kick them out. Which leads me to the next point…

You can kick anyone out of your delivery room…

plain and simple. It’s your birth. If you have a family member that is negative or unsupportive, OUT they go!

Transition hurts is the final phase of the first stage of labor…

At this phase progress is from seven to 10 centimeters and more often than not, it takes less than an hour. Transition means that your body is shifting from opening the cervix to the descent of the baby. It usually will last 15-60 minutes, but that varies from mother to mother.

Delay cord clamping…

This means don’t clamp the cord as soon as baby is born. You should delay it until the cord is white and doesn’t have any more blood in it! And that usually doesn’t happen in 60 seconds. Just saying. There is a TON of benefits to delaying cord clamping… increases hemoglobin levels at birth, improves iron stores in the first several months of life, improved transitional circulation, better establishment of red blood cell volume and decreased need for blood transfusion. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now recommends a delay of clamping. You can read more ACOG.ORG.

Vernix is a GOOD thing…

that’s what that thick white stuff is on the baby when they’re first born! RUB THAT VERNIX IN! It’s great for your baby! It’s baby’s moisturizer, it protects the baby from germs, it protects from amniotic fluid and it’s a natural lubricant! You can read MORE benefits HERE!