Childbirth is a miracle, but it can also daunting and downright exhausting – especially if you don’t know what to expect.
It can be tricky to prepare for every eventuality too, given how different each person’s experiences can be.
Some may have to be induced or undergo a C-section, for example, while others are able to give birth naturally. And while many end up welcoming their baby without any issues, sadly, not all of us get the outcome we’d hoped for.
But despite all these unknowns, understanding the fundamentals of labour can help put your mind at rest.
So to demystify the process, we got midwives and birthing experts to offer their no-nonsense answers to nine frequently-asked questions.
At what point in labour should I go to hospital?
You may start getting contractions at home, but it could be some time before you actually need to grab your overnight bag and head to hospital.
Ruby Handley-Stone, a midwife and professional adviser of education at the Royal College of Midwives tells Metro: ‘As soon as you experience any signs of early labour, it is important that you get in touch with your midwife or maternity unit to get advice based on your individual circumstances.
‘If you are unsure in any way, or cannot get hold of your midwife, you should attend hospital.’
In the early stages of labour, they may tell you to stay at (or return) home. Signs you’re still in the early stages include contractions, an urge to go to the toilet, backache, and a ‘show’, where the plug of mucus from your cervix comes away.
According to Amina Hatia, midwifery manager at Tommy’s, the pregnancy and baby charity, you should make your way to the maternity unit straight away if your waters break, or once your contractions start to come at least every five minutes and last 60 seconds.
‘Go straight to the hospital if you‘re bleeding or your baby is moving less than usual – you should still feel your baby move right up until and during labour,’ she adds. ‘And don’t wait if you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant and think you might be in labour.’
Do any old wives’ tales work for inducing labour?
From a spicy curry to a hot bath or even stripping off and having sex, there are many old wives’ tales that are taken as tips to induce labour.
But midwife Ruby explains there’s very little safe evidence to recommend many of these urban myths — and techniques such as hot baths, castor oil and sexual intercourse aren’t advised in official guidelines.
There’s also little to no research that herbal teas will get your labour going, and Ruby says some may even be ‘harmful’ to the process, as is the case with some, but not all, essential oils.
‘Although some methods may offer relaxation – which is the best thing to start labour – it’s always worth consulting your midwife before trying any complementary therapies to ensure they are safe and appropriate for you,’ she adds. ‘Your baby will come when they’re ready!’
How likely am I to tear and how common is it?
It’s estimated that 85% of women who give birth vaginally in the UK will have some form of perineal trauma – ranging from a small graze or tear to an episiotomy.
However, Ruby explains that a high proportion of these (97%) are classified as ‘non-severe’, meaning they aren’t third or fourth-degree tears.
She explains: ‘For most women, these tears are minor and heal quickly with good hygiene and care advice from your midwives. If you need stitches, they will heal quickly, and midwives are well-trained to carry this out immediately after the birth – while you are enjoying your new baby.’
Massaging your perineum from 35 weeks pregnant can also help reduce the risk of tearing or needing an episiotomy, and your midwife can advise you on how to do this properly with natural oils.
‘A midwife may also offer to hold a warm compress against your perineum during the birth of your baby head, known to soften the perineal tissues,’ Ruby adds.
Is on your back a good position to give birth in?
It might be how birth is typically depicted, but according to RCM-accredited hypnobirthing teacher Anna Clarkson, laying on your back during childbirth isn’t necessarily the most instinctive position for most mothers.
Anna tells Metro: ‘When you’re laying on your back, your baby is effectively pushing up against a u-bend, and it doesn’t make use of gravity or allow the sacrum to open and flex as it needs.
‘It also increases the chance of malpositioning for the baby, forceps or ventouse delivery (where a suction cup is attached to your baby’s head), and can be more painful and increase the chance of tearing.’
Midwife Ruby agrees, adding: ‘Being free to move into positions you feel comfortable in and listening to your body during labour will help you to feel empowered and in control of your birth experience.’
If you do want to lay down to give birth though, Anna recommends a ‘side-lying’ position.
When my water breaks, will it look like it does in the movies?
We’ve all seen those scenes where a flood of water splashes all over the floor, but this isn’t the case for every woman.
Midwifery manager Amina says: ‘There isn’t always a great gush of fluid – it can feel more like a mild pop, or you might feel nothing at all. It varies from person to person, and it can actually be quite hard to know if your waters have broken.’
This is also because the ‘water’ (amniotic fluid) is clear and pale, which she says can be difficult to differentiate from urine.
If you’re unsure if they’ve broken, you can try laying down for half an hour and then standing up again.
‘If fluid comes out when you stand, it’s likely to be amniotic fluid,’ Amina adds. ‘Make a note of the colour, the amount and whether or not it smells.’
Pee will smell, while amniotic fluid should be odourless. However, if you’re unsure, you should call your midwife and they will offer an internal examination to check.
If you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant, or the fluid smells bad, is green, brown or black, you feel unwell, or you’ve noticed a change in the baby’s movements, Amina advises you to call the maternity unit straight away.
Does being induced hurt more than naturally going into labour?
Being induced rather than going into labour naturally can be more uncomfortable for you, but it may be required if you’ve got a condition like high blood pressure or diabetes, or if you’re overdue or at risk of infection.
Hypnobirthing expert Anna explains: ‘With spontaneous labour, as your hormones and muscles work together you usually get a gradual build up, but with induction, for many people it’s nothing and then suddenly very intense labour.’
But while this can make the process more painful, midwife Ruby stresses that you can still have a very positive childbirth experience with an induction.
How likely is it I’ll poo during labour and how can I prevent this?
About 50% of women will poo during labour – and it’s perfectly normal.
‘This is due to the bowel muscles that are stimulated, which are very close to the muscles used during pushing, and the pressure of your baby on your rectum as they are birthed,’ Ruby explains.
Rather than worrying or trying to avoid it though, Anna recommends you ‘find a way to make peace with it being a possibility’.
‘Honestly, you won’t have the presence of mind to try and hold it in,’ she says. ‘Rest assured midwives have seen it all, and get excited to see it because it means the baby is imminent. They’re also absolute ninjas at getting it wiped away before anyone even notices!’
Once I give birth, will I have to continue pushing to birth the placenta?
Your baby isn’t the only thing you need to give birth to – you’ll need to get rid of your placenta too.
This process, dubbed the ‘third stage of labour’ can happen in two ways: physiological, meaning you push it out naturally, or active.
‘For a physiological third stage, midwives will aim for your placenta to be delivered within an hour after the birth of your baby,’ Ruby explains.
‘An active third stage means you will be given a small injection of medication before the cord is clamped and cut which help your uterus to contract, and once the midwife see’s signs that the placenta is ready (usually within 30 minutes) she will guide you to push gently.
‘For both types of third stage, the pushing is not like the birth of your baby and does not last long, but you may feel similar contractions as your uterus expels the placenta.’
If you’ve had a C-section, the placenta will be removed for you by your doctors.
How long will it take for my bump to go flat again?
Our bodies won’t immediately return to what they looked like pre-pregnancy, and that’s more than okay. But some of us still want to know when that bump will go down.
Midwife Ruby says that this usually takes around six weeks, but varies from person to person.
It’s an ‘important’ process too, allowing the uterine muscles to heal, ‘minimising any excessive bleeding and restoring your body after a long nine months of supporting your baby.’
Rest is key to allow your body to recover, but during this time you may have come discomfort, including ‘contraction-like sensations’. However, regularly emptying your bladder, warm heat compresses and gentle massages can help.
‘Don’t become obsessed with “bouncing back“,’ adds hypnobirthing teacher Anna. ‘Instead, honour this incredible bodily effort of yours.’
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