Antenatal; postnatal - a lot of the whole pregnancy and birth thing focuses on the before and after rather than the during.
And that's a bit silly, because the during bit is rather important too. Like, REALLY important.
Certain labour happenings are well-documented... others are less so.
So here, HerFamily brings you the six unexpected, more mundane events that might well take place during and immediately after labour...
1) Want to touch your baby's head?
The little one is very much en route - head has emerged; shoulders are still inside. You're almost there (hurrah!) - and as you wait for your next contraction, the midwife asks if you want to stroke your baby's head. It sounds all lovey-dovey and meaningful in principle... in reality you'll be more focused on getting over that final hurdle.
2) You deliver the placenta
No matter how keen you are on your placenta (you might want to make or do something with it), it's still a wholly bizarre thing to deliver. The main event is done-and-dusted and you're (hopefully) holding on to your newborn. Then it's on to the bonus round: aka giving birth to an octopus- or squid-like substance. It's not sore, it's not traumatic - it's just weird.
3) There is paperwork
The rubber-stamping of your whole experience; the midwife scribbles down notes and ticks boxes; she signs off and records details. It's a reminder that while for you this is going to be one of THE milestones of your entire life, for them this is simply another (amazing) day at the office.
4) You get treated like a sick person
Even though you're not sick - you're just very happy and relieved and proud as punch - the hospital staff and your family and friends will delightfully fuss over you and bring you things like toast, and cups of tea, and chocolate and gifts. Enjoy it and embrace it, we say. Pretty soon someone else will have a baby and you won't be brought toast anymore.
5) Leaving hospital is weird
You're done and dusted - it feels like the end of a nine-month journey and the beginning of a new adventure. But there is no doubt that walking out of that hospital door for the first time carrying your newborn (and whether it's your first baby or your fifth) is completely surreal.
6) You have a new respect for your body
No matter what the 'plan' was and no matter how the 'plan' panned out, by the end you'll have your baby and you'll think you're pretty darn amazing. Too right too - because you are. Feel free to remind others (especially your partner) of said fact.
