5 Things I Wish I Would Have Known BEFORE Giving Birth

This blog post is all about labor topics not commonly known before birth.

I am the type of person who tries to be prepared for every situation. Before important interviews, I write out possible questions and answers. Before labor, I researched for months what I was going to endure to bring this beautiful baby boy out of me. To my shock, I didn't know it all.

I experienced things I had not read about and would like to share those with you. I won't add all the basic stuff like birthing plans, epidurals, tears, etc. I am sharing info with you I had not read anywhere online and I hope this helps you be more prepared for your special day! This article will give you insight on 5 labor topics I wish I knew before giving birth.

1. The Shakes

Let me tell you, I read SO many blogs, articles, Pinterest posts, and asked every mom I knew what to expect during labor. Not ONE PERSON mentioned the shakes!

In the hospital, my body was uncontrollably shaking and it was insanely painful. My muscles were tightening trying to control the shaking which made it even worse. It felt like my muscles were going to just pop from the resistance.

After the epidural, I STILL had the shakes. The nurse informed me this was totally normal, and happens even if you have the epidural or not. With the epidural, I no longer felt the muscle pains but I did shake throughout labor.

Whether or not you experience this, it is great to know that you might shake uncontrollably and that is completely normal.

2. Pitocin

There is a very common drug given during labor to those taking the epidural. Pitocin.

Pitocin is used to induce labor by making your contractions stronger and closer together. You know that song by Kanye West, "Harder, better, faster, stronger"? Yes, Pitocin is exactly that but I'm not so sure about the better part...

If you get an epidural and it is your very first pregnancy, you might not know how to push effectively. So, chances are they will slowly take you off the epidural and give you Pitocin.

This makes you feel SO MUCH PAIN. Your contractions are literally hitting you like a ton of bricks. It wore me out so much that the doctor had to up the epidural because the pain made me so weak.

I can't say I would have had it different since it was my first time, and I had no idea how to push a baby out. Although, I think I might pass on my next baby. Just know, when the nurse lets you know they are giving you Pitocin, you are about to enter a wild ride.

3. Have a File of Your Entire Pregnancy Printed from Your Doctor's Office a Month Before Labor

I went into labor a Saturday night. My Doctor had bet me a strawberry milkshake he would be there for delivery. To my horror, my doctor had decided to take a trip the weekend I went into labor! Oh no!!

Because it was a weekend, they were not able to access my file since my doctor's office was closed. Doctor and I had already discussed my baby was small but on the right track. In the hospital, the ultrasound tech measured my baby to be 34 weeks which is premature. They wanted to stop my labor after I had already gotten the epidural since they believed I wasn't ready and had no access to files to ensure I was in fact ready. I fought the Doctor that I wasn't delivering prematurely and I needed to go through with it. He made it clear that if something happened, it would be on me for choosing to deliver.

Scared but knowing I was in fact ready, I went through with it and baby was born perfectly healthy. Who knows what could have happened to my child if they stopped my labor.

So lesson learned, do not rely on your Doctor to be there 100%. A month before, ask your Doctors office to print or email you a file of your pregnancy's history to avoid this.

And no. My Doctor never delivered my strawberry milkshake for not being there. LOL

4. Hello Catheter

I was not aware I would need a catheter along with an epidural. Now, it totally makes sense, but at the time I was like um what? With an epidural, you still feel the need to pee and a catheter is inserted to drain it. It felt uncomfortable going in, and still felt uncomfortable the entire time.

For delivery, it was taken out. Midway pushing, I apparently still needed it, so it was reinserted. It hurt the second time, since I was less numb.

This one is a little less of a painful surprise and more of a just simply uncomfortable surprise. It's not the sexiest thing to wear around your fiance. I mean really all of labor is not the sexiest thing, but man a catheter... LOL

5. Thank God for Nurses

Every couple of hours I received a new nurse. Every single one was an angel sent from heaven!

Seriously, you can ask them anything. There was a moment I asked my fiance to leave the room. I quickly turned to my nurse so embarrassed to ask if she could check if I went number 2! She laughed, checked and I was fine. She let me know she sees this stuff all the time and if I need anything to not be embarrassed to ask.

They also help you with your first bathroom visit. Literally, the nurses will go into the bathroom with you. My nurses were so kind and attentive. They gave me the extra strength I needed always. One of them even held my hands while I got the epidural. She could see the nervous look on my face.

I hope this info doesn't scare you! My labor, despite the inevitable pain, was all worth every second to meet the little guy in my life now. He is as healthy as can be. I hope your labor goes smoothly. We all experience labor differently so don't expect to go through what I did. Just be aware of what could potentially happen and brave it all for you little one.

Make sure to follow my Instagram, Youtube and Pinterest to keep up to date on all new articles posted. I have lots of great plans for merch, digital downloads and e-reads to come! I'm so excited for it all, and thankful for your support!

Have a great day gorgeous!

-e