Giving birth to a baby for the first time can come with many surprises and shocks if one is not prepared. While many of your friends may have given birth, most of them will not go into the details of the delivery process (Psst, it’s likely they are pretty glad that the ordeal was over!). It can be a confusing time for first-time moms and dads, and here are the 10 things you need to know before you are wheeled into the delivery room.

#1 You have to know when labour starts

If you’re in the early stage of labour, when there are contractions but the cervix has not ‘softened’ and lengthened, you may not even be admitted into the delivery room. Check with the hospital beforehand on their admission policy. During this early stage, you should try to relax – have light snacks, rest, drink fluids or go for a walk.

#2 You have a little time to prepare when the water breaks

The rupturing of the amniotic membrane is also known as the water breaking. The fluid is usually odourless and may look clear or pale. You should inform your doctor when you water breaks and how much of fluid has been released. During this time, do not do anything to introduce bacteria into the vagina – no sex. This does not mean that your baby is going to appear in the next few minutes: you’d still have a little time to prepare and get ready to go to the hospital.

#3 You will see many unfamiliar faces, and not your doctor

Your doctor will not likely be the first person you see, in fact, you may see him/her for a very short period of time – checking on you for a few minutes throughout your labour, and actually delivering your baby. There will be nurses with different duties to help you during the labour – to help to monitor your cervix, your blood pressure and heart rate, of your baby’s heart rate and assist you with your requests. You need to be emotionally prepared that you will be assisted by unfamiliar faces, so make sure your spouse is with you all the time.

#4 It may take more than half a day

For first-time moms, be prepared that it’s going to take a while before the baby appears. It can take many hours, even close to a day. At the start of the delivery, you may want to get comfortable – take a bath, eat light snacks, drink enough and listen to music.

#5 The anesthesiologist is not on stand-by

Prior to giving birth, you would have discussed the pain relief options with your doctor. If you choose an epidural anesthesia, it has to be delivered by an anesthesiologist. An anesthesiologist is not on stand-by in the delivery ward but has to be called to deliver the epidural. Therefore, you will be asked at different times by the nurse on when you’d like the epidural to be delivered and you may wish to say so earlier – that is, don’t waste till the very last minute when you’re ‘fainting’ to ask for the epidural. Moreover, epidural is not suitable to be administered when it is too close to the baby being pushed out – thus this is why you have to decide earlier.

#6 Having an epidural means you will be on IV

An IV is a catheter that is placed in your vein to drip in fluids and medication. Intravenous (IV) fluids are delivered, before the epidural. Having an IV means that your movement will be restricted, which some mothers would rather not as they prefer to move around to help with the delivery. Be sure to check with your doctor on their process to accommodate your comfort and movement, even with the epidural.

#7 Pushing a baby is the same as passing motion

You will be told to push the baby as though you are passing motion – it is therefore likely that you’d actually end up pushing out your poop. You can try to clear your bowels before delivery but even if you do poop during delivery, don’t be embarrassed.

#8 You need to learn relaxation techniques

It is likely you won’t find delivery the most relaxing activity but given how long it may take, it is good to learn some relaxation techniques for use during delivery. Your birth class may have taught you breathing techniques, light massage that your spouse can help you with or different positions to be more comfortable during the labour.

#9 You need to do the pushing

While nurses will be with you as you push, you are still the one pushing. The nurse will give you instruction on when to push, usually at regular intervals and three times with each contraction. Tuck your chin to your chest and push efficiently, not frantically. As the contractions peak, take a deep breath and push hard. Rest between contractions and stop pushing if the nurse advises you to do so – it is to conserve energy for the next round of contractions.

#10 Your cervix may need extra help

The cervix has to be about ten centimetres dilated before your baby can be delivered. Your cervix will be constantly monitored and for some women, the cervix may not dilate adequately on its own. This is when the nurse will call your doctor, who will come to you and monitor your progress. If the cervix is considered to be not sufficiently dilated, your doctor may prescribe artificial hormones to help with the dilation and/or contractions.

It is important to get yourself comfortable, and trust the doctor and nurses who are helping you in the delivery room. Try to relax and give it your best push when it’s ‘the time’! Push on then~

Induction rates are rising and in certain cases, induction is requested rather than prescribed by the doctor. However, these 10 reasons will tell you why you should AVOID a birth induction.

Written by Mei