What surprised you most?

lovelymissautumn · September 2011

Hey ladies,

I was just reflecting on the past 2 weeks and my labor and delivery. I was wondering what surprised you all the most, either about recovery or your L&D pr just whatever you would like to share. . ...?

I think I was most surprised about how easy the epidural was. My husband was freaking out way more than I was! For recovery I was/am most surprised about not feeling any pain down there despite my 3rd degree tear!

Matt Dvorak · September 2011

I surprised myself when I readily agreed to the episiotomy, despite that my baby was not in distress. I thought I wouldn't want it unless necessary - but after over an hour of pushing during a med free birth I did it for myself to get the guy out of there!!

Stellasmom · September 2011

I was surprised at how much more clear headed I was in recovery this time. With Ds I was on percocet and out of my mind for the whole hospital stay. This time I was just on i.v. pain meds and then ibuprofen and I actually remember who came to visit us. lol.

NeonEyeliner77 · September 2011

I definitely agree with the epidural. My IV hurt way worse than getting my epidural did, and DH looked absolutely panic-stricken when the anesthesiologist explained the possible complications (spinal headache or full body paralysis resulting in c-section and life support).

I was also surprised at how short my labor/delivery was since everyone tried to scare me about it being my first baby and an induction.

ctygrlstl · September 2011

A few things surprised me, actually. The doctor let me catch the baby when he came out, and I remember being so surprised at how 'solid' he was. I guess I expected him to be squishier, lol!! I mean, heck, he was in my belly, soaking in fluid for 9 months, he should have been squishy! It was so crazy feeling his little bones and how very 'real' he was. It was nuts. The other surprise was the scent of the postpartum goo that came out of me (sry, lol, probably TMI). I don't know why but the smell of the stuff surprised me. I don't exactly know what kind of a scent it was, it was just... odd, I guess. Strange and new enough to be surprising.

JenJar · September 2011

Honestly, everything about this delivery surprised me. I was surprised that I was being induced (or that I agreed to it, I should say)...how intense the contractions were...how quickly I progressed (5-10 in an hour)...that I made it without an epidural...how quickly my doc got there...that I only pushed for 9 minutes...that I didn't tear or need to be cut...that I was able to walk to the recovery room and shower unassisted. It was an amazing labor and delivery and it makes me sad that I probably won't do it again, but completely showed me how amazing my body is.

Skibunny07 · September 2011

I Was surprised by how easy the labor process was, espeically since I was induced. I only had about an hour, right after they broke my water that was really painful and intense and it was a little scary because the babies heart rate kept dropping but really everything was pretty smooth sailing. After I got the epidural I really couldn't feel anything. I was ready to push only like a half hour after getting it and I only pushed for about 30-40 minutes. I couldn't feel any of the contractions and the pushing didn't hurt or anything, I was just out of breath.

I've also been pretty surprised by how good I've felt since then. The first week was a little rough because I did have a few small stiches, I had a bad hemorrhoid and my boobs hurt so bad. But since then I've felt great. No more pain, no baby blues (just a little weepy every now and then) and not really all that tired. LO sleeps decently. There are some nights that are bad but for the most part he sleeps for 2.5-3 hours, wakes and eats then sleeps again all through the night.

Augustmama1113 · September 2011

I'd have to say the entire c-section experience surprised me. I was horribly terrified and looking back, it was a wonderful delivery. I will also agree that the IV hurt the most. I'm still in shock at how smooth everything went.

I feel like I've set the bar pretty high and I hope all of my future deliveries are this easy

etoyama · September 2011

Welp, even though I knew it would be painful I was still surprised by how painful birth without an epidural was

I was also surprised by how tough the days following delivery were. but on a happy note, I'm surprised by how I don't mind waking up in the night to nurse even though I'm exhausted. I pretty much just love every waking moment with this child!

buckyfan30 · September 2011

Being a FTM, what the contractions felt like surprised me. I was expecting them to be way worse to begin with.. and I was relieved at how well I was handling them until my epidural.

K-hart · September 2011

My labor & Recovery. I was surprised how easy and relatively fast my labor was (8 hours from start to finish). I was also amazed on how good it felt to push. Also, recovery was not what I expected at all! I recovered super fast. Sorry to rub it in

BakingMrsC · September 2011

I was surprised by:

How NOT scared I was once the contractions started, I thought I would lose it and be a mess! I was much more clam than I anticipated.

How numb I was with the epidural. I felt nothing at all!

How great ice felt on my vagina!

How great my husband was in the delivery room. I thought for sure he would pass out, but he loved watching it all.

Now when I smell witch hazel (Tucks pads) or A&D ointment, it makes me think of the whole experience with our tiny newborn in the hospital and I could cry!

Jelliebean1982 · September 2011

I'm really surprised at how different my children are. With DD I thought I had it down. DS is a whole new ballgame. Holy crap. I have no idea what I'm doing with this kid! She was so easy and he's a little spitfire.

JenLynn09 · September 2011

I was most surprised by my reaction after I gave birth. I had a hard hard hard labor, and the second I pushed the baby out, heard him cry, and saw his beautiful face I said "The wasn't so bad, I could have another" I always thought I'd cry, get emotional or something but I was just super happy and gigglely lol For recovery, I was surprised at how little my tear and stitches didn't bother me. Even the bleeding hasn't bothered me, and I HATE getting my period.

Iove.wins · September 2011

How quick my body bounced back. I stopped taking pain meds after about 5 days and I'm already back in my non-maternity clothes I think the hemorrhoids were the worst part of recovery : They're still dealing me fits.

In the "nobody ever told me" category, I was surprised at how gross LO's umbilical cord was before it fell off. It oozed yellow stuff, then a little blood, and it stunk like rotting flesh. I called the doctor and was shocked -- SHOCKED!! -- to find out that it was totally normal and not infected. Guh-ross!

Iove.wins · September 2011

BakingMrsC:
I was surprised by:
How NOT scared I was once the contractions started, I thought I would lose it and be a mess! I was much more clam than I anticipated.
How numb I was with the epidural. I felt nothing at all!
How great ice felt on my vagina!
How great my husband was in the delivery room. I thought for sure he would pass out, but he loved watching it all.
Now when I smell witch hazel (Tucks pads) or A&D ointment, it makes me think of the whole experience with our tiny newborn in the hospital and I could cry!

ME TOO! Except add in there the smell of dermoplast. Any time I smell any of that it takes me back to my hospital room and my teeny tiny brand new baby. Now I feel like crying! Crying

eesome · September 2011

How quickly I recovered from my repeat c-section. It wasn't that bad at all!

NativeFloridian · September 2011

That my labor was only 3.5 hours long. I caved to the epidural because I was having end-of-labor-style contractions after 2.5 hours but thought I was only 4 cm and was just being a wuss. I mean, I was checked and was 4 cm, but apparently jumped to "complete" (or close to it) immediately after the internal - and I totally caved based on the 4 cm estimation. By the time the epi was in place, I felt that telltale pressure that meant baby was ready for her arrival. Whoa!

kjuryfl · September 2011

Being a FTM I was surprised most by labor and delivery. The whole experience was great and totally different than what I expected.

ijack · September 2011

How much labor hurt. I know that sounds dumb, but my labor with #1 didn't hurt and this time around I was in so much pain that I seriously thought I was going to die. It was so painful and there is no way I could have done it without meds this time.

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha · September 2011

My water breaking at 37w0d. DD1 was born at 39w4d ,so to have my water breaking that early really was a shock

lovelymissautumn · September 2011

JenLynn09:
I was most surprised by my reaction after I gave birth. I had a hard hard hard labor, and the second I pushed the baby out, heard him cry, and saw his beautiful face I said "The wasn't so bad, I could have another" I always thought I'd cry, get emotional or something but I was just super happy and gigglely lol For recovery, I was surprised at how little my tear and stitches didn't bother me. Even the bleeding hasn't bothered me, and I HATE getting my period.

Yes! I thought I would be super emotional too but I was more like...hyped up! I was joking around with the doctors and just kind of in awe of the whole thing!

I forgot to mention that I was surprised that I was a horrible pusher (I'm a FTM), and surprised at what it felt like when the baby came out. So hard to explain!

beachgirl10 · September 2011

I was surprised that when DD was born and they put her on my chest immediately, that I kissed her before her being cleaned up. The thought of moms doing that with all that gunk on the baby always made me feel queasy, and I always said my babies would be clean before I would do that. But at that moment, I never even thought twice about it:)

When DS was born, he was immediately taken by nurses, so he was never put on my chest like that.

Ryan&Kristin062009 · September 2011

Well the whole experience surprised me. I went into labor the day before I was 33wks, spent 6 DAYS in the hospital(s) in and out of labor, and then had our little guy at 33w5d. Also, I had 2 epidurals and BOTH failed. Then having him in the NICU his first 3 weeks... It was basically my worst nightmare lol Everything turned out alright though but it was surprising how our little guy entered the world! Recovery wasnt bad at all, nothing really surprising there and motherhood has been wonderful

J&MsMom · September 2011

There were many surprises. Having to deliver under general anesthesia, my whole family being sick so no one could visit, me getting sick and having to spend a week in the hospital, and the biggest surprise was Max being so sick and spending three weeks in the NICU.

jaylahsmommy · September 2011

I was surprised how fast my labor went, that my water was leaking and i didnt even know it til i felt slimy down there. I was super surprised that i didnt tear and only had one stitch.

Solidsteph · September 2011

My c-section after failed induction. I never made it past 1cm and she never went down into the birth canal...I never thought I was going to have a c-section and didn't prepare...luckily I got a spinal and that was a breeze - and I love my doctors - but recovery was HARD and I was in a lot of pain for a few days in the hospital - I also didn't expect to feel pain from the spinal area in my back - but all is well now and i would do it again in a heartbeat because I am madly in love.

kim1989 · September 2011

I was surprised by how fast my LO came, I was only at the hospital 2 hours before she made her grand arrival. Granted I didn?t go straight away when my water broke but I really expected it to take much longer and I was reeeally scared for not having any drugs too (it was only an option for me if absolutely needed because we couldnt afford it) so I was amazed at how well I coped without drugs and how little it hurt in comparison to what I thought it would (obviously not saying it didn?t hurt... it hurt... just no-where near what I expected)

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