While you are ready to hit the hospital anytime soon, your medical team is busy helping other moms birth their babies at the same hospital. It is their job to make sure that you have the safest and least painful delivery.
Moms have a ton of questions to ask their nurses while they are admitted and going through the birthing experience the very first time. Childbirth is daunting and it is obvious for the mothers to come up with a hundred queries or an elaborate birth plan to handover to the obstetrician or the nurse.
Well, here is what the nurses have to tell you.
1. Have A Precise Birth Plan
It is good to have a birth plan, but you shouldn’t write is as a 3-page long essay. Be precise and be sure to mention these points in your birth plan—the person who should be in the delivery room, your preference for pain management and delivery, whether you want your partner to cut the cord and prefer to bank it, donate or discard it, and lastly your feeding plan for the baby.
Before making a list, the nurse wants you to attend a childbirth class so that you have enough information and understanding of the process of birth. Your nurse believes that a mother shouldn’t be completely unaware of the changes in her body when she births her baby.
2. Things May Not Always Go As Planned
Every labor and birth is different—sometimes, things don’t go as expected. Your nurse will try her best, however, if it doesn’t happen you don’t have to feel disappointed.
If you plan on medication-free natural birth, your nurse won’t object to it but they also need to ensure the baby is doing fine and things proceed normally.
3. Don’t Stand Up Without Help Soon After Giving Birth
After your delivery, the nurse knows your body is very weak right then, in case you are unaware of it. When she tells you not to stand up, don’t. You might be under the effect of epidural or have a low blood sugar. Certainly, you are a strong-willed woman but your legs are weak, or probably numb.
4. Don’t Bring Your Whole Family Inside Labor Or Delivery Room
Except for your partner, let everybody stay in the waiting area or at home. Don’t call in your kids or other family members inside the labor or delivery room. They are not against you, but the labor and delivery room is not a place for your family to get together but for you to deliver your baby.
5. Don’t Come To Hospital In Fancy Dresses And Night Gowns
You will be bleeding, probably puking during labor and birth. Would you really want your dress to be covered in your own fluids?
Also, when you are going through the most uncomfortable and painful moments during labor, sweating and breathing hard, won’t you really want to be wrapped in comfortable and breathable clothing? Just wear a hospital gown to avoid all the mess.
6. Don’t Sneak In Food
There is a reason why moms are told not to eat during labor and delivery. If you don’t want to throw up your last snack all over your gown while you are pushing the baby out, listen to your nurse.
7. Let It Go With The Flow
Not everything will work according to the plan that you may have been making since past few months. If you expect your delivery will go the same way as your best friend’s, you will probably end up disappointed.
Don’t be too hard on yourself, remember that most babies are born on their own without assistance. Let your body take control and go with the flow.
8. A Thank You Note Is All They Want
You may find your nurse to be the most caring human being around who helped you get through what you thought the toughest moment of your life. Drop them a thank-you note and they will cherish it. You could even express your thanks through chocolates, flowers or cards.
Nurses are super busy—sometimes, they don’t even have time to eat or pee. They know what is right for you because they have probably helped with hundreds of births. They also wish that your labor and birth are smooth and easy and will try their best to assist you in having the best birthing experience.
