Today I had a brand new client at work who wanted to know when I was due, etc. All the sudden she was spewing out advice like we were bff.
"Get the epidural ASAP" "If you have time give yourself an enema before you go" "It's the craziest thing how you remember every minute and painful detail of giving birth for the rest of your life" "Definitely get the epidural"
LOL OMG Lady I just met you. I plan on going natural and am a ftm I freak myself out enough without you telling me crazy thing...
She loved her haircut when I was done though. I loved that she left the salon lol
Re: Thanks Random Lady (not so much)
Don't you love all of that lovely unsolicited pregnancy "advice" people like to give? It doesn't stop there....people think they know how to raise your kids too. You learn how to smile and nod a lot. Or just give the stink eye and walk away lol.
FWIW, while birth is certainly painful, it's not that bad. I'm a big fat wimp and I did it. And you forget the pain rather quickly actually ;-)
Ugh what is with people trying to scare pregnant women.
I enjoy giving birth, i remember when I was pregnant with my first and some woman was going on at me about how she loved giving birth, i thought she was out of her mind. But now I know what she means. yes it's painful, yes it's hard work, but I can't wait to do it again with our next baby.
good luck with your upcoming birth.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
I honestly don't remember the pain. I remember there was some but I don't remember exactly what it was like. Ask me what a contraction feels like and I can't really tell you. You really do forget for the most part.
You'll be just fine and hopefully you'll enjoy the experience too!
My neighbor's first reaction when she found out I was pregnant was "Oh, you should just have a c section. it's the most humane way to do it"
My friend has two, both born naturally in the hospital with an OB who supported her in her endeavor for a natural birth. She said that "pain" is a poor description of the sensation. It's just a discomfort that is unique to childbirth. She said not to listen to people who say it hurts so much, because most of the pain is really a headtrip. That made me feel better
"Humane"?!?! I'm sorry but that cracked me up...what a poor choice of words...in some ways, I am kind of excited about and looking forward to the experience of birth. I'm a FTM and yes, I'm a little scared/worried, but I guess I like the idea of a challenge and I want to see what I'm capable of. And of course, I can't wait to meet this baby at the end, no matter what happens.
I remember every minute and detail of that day- not bc of the pain but bc it was the most important and happiest day of my life! I got random comments too. Once I was in line at Macy's and the woman in front of me was taking for.ever. She went on this whole rant about how ftms all think they're the first women in the world to give birth and are all divas in the delivery room. And she smuggly smiled and said that she loved to see them all doped up and compliant during labor! I silently said a prayer of thanks that she wasn't my Mil
Ignore the negatives, you'll do just fine!
Ugh, I can't keep silent and do the "nod and smile" routine when some stranger goes on about advice that I didn't ask for. Lol.
My favourite story was one my midwife told me, where a patient of hers was in Wal-Mart and a random lady walked up and put her hand on her belly and said "don't mind me, I just want to feel the baby move" and so the pregnant women put her hand on the strangers boob and just left it there. Stranger walked away. I plan on doing this if it happens to me, I think it's seriously awesome. I've heard of other women doing it, or also putting there hand on the stranger's belly and saying "when are you due?" hahaha.
Relax in the knowledge that you're probably more prepared, as someone planning to go med-free, than she was. Knowledge goes a long way in making for an easier labor.
As soon as anyone finds out what I do, I know their birth story, their best friend's birth story, and the birth story of anyone who was eavesdropping and felt the need to chime in
NorCalMOMS bio* NorCalBOTB* babywearingBIO
Harmony Doula
Aw, man, I hadn't factored in time to give myself an enema before heading to the hospital! Time to rework the plan...
Seriously, some people just have no filter and no tact--no one wants to discuss anything having to do with their ladybits with a stranger. Sorry you ended up with her in your chair. But hey, glad she liked her hair
That's hilarious!
Haaaaaaa so hard at the 'you remember every minute and painful detail'. I have.. a few memories, but they're like flashes, like when you have a dream and you wake up. I remember very clearly everything right AFTER the birth, I remember demanding that they "give me my beautiful daughter right now!" and holding her for the first time, etc.
But honestly, the pain? Gone. I have no memory of the pain of birth whatsoever.