If you’re a first-time mom and you hear the word “labor”, the first thing you’ll think is pain, right? When I first learned that I was pregnant, I am so excited about everything because everything is new to me. The whole experience is new for me and I am confident that I can rock this journey. I can still remember my childbirth journey and I can mentally feel how painful it is.
But don’t worry, every woman has different experiences with labor.
I planned this journey ahead of time. From hospital bags, labor, and everything. So imagine how excited I am when I reached my 38th week. My doctor told me that I can deliver a week early or a week later since it was my first time. But it seems time is taking a little bit longer when you’re nearly due. I feel like I’ve been waiting forever. It feels like the time has stopped when I reached the ninth month.
All the waiting has given me nothing so I’ve decided just to be patient because there’s nothing I can do about it.
The Water
Yes, my water broke. And that’s how I know that I will be giving birth. A week earlier, I surprisingly experience diarrhea which my doctor says is completely normal for someone whose about to give birth. Losing stools can be a sign of impending labor. Aside from that I also passed a mucus plug. Which is also a sign and a good indicator that labor is coming. This is your body preparing you for labor and delivery.
After my water broke, I immediately rushed to the clinic and my doctor told me that I am 2cm dilated and induced labor. Inducing the labor depends on your situation.
The Labor
Some say that labor usually lasts 12 to 24 hours long. You may hear some stories from your colleague, family, and friends about their personal experiences but I suggest not to let them scare you off. Remind yourself that we all have different labor experiences. Some have quick labor and some have long, difficult labor.
There are 3 stages of labor:
The early labor
After my doctor induced the labor I am slowly feeling the first contractions 10 minutes apart. It was like a stomach ache at first. My doctor performed an IE from time to time to check how dilated my cervix is. I was 4cm dilated this time. This stage is called early labor (0 to 6cm dilated)
The active labor
Then the contractions are getting stronger and the minutes became shorter. The pain became intolerable. This is the active labor (6-8cm dilated) I was about to give up that time but I just kept reminding myself that I am created to do this.
I was 8cm dilated and begging my doctor to cut me open. My doctor just pray for me and my baby and told me that I am 2cm away from giving birth normally. After a minute of enduring the contractions, I am ready to give birth.
When we got to the delivery room I can already feel that I am crowning. My doctor told me to count ten seconds while pushing and it helped. After three long pushes and proper breathing, my baby came out. It was a beautiful moment that will stay forever in my memory.
The afterbirth
After my baby came out, my doctor told me that I also need to deliver the placenta. And this is called afterbirth.
My baby is 3.3 kg which caused the perineal tear which is why my doctor had to stitch me up. The stitch dissolves after 1 to 2 weeks and heals.
As a woman, I feel privileged to experience all of this from pregnancy to giving birth. I can say that my purpose in life is to give life.