Things I wish I did during my labour and delivery

Things I regret during my labour and delivery: 

This blog is hard for me to post as I know it’s no ones fault and it’s just how things happen but I fell it’s good to write how you feel. So here are some things I did not like about my labour experience. 

Not having any calming aspects: 
I remember before my labour I had this idea I would try to make my hospital environment as calming as possible. So I purchased led light candles and had a playlist all ready to go. But of course in the panic of things I forgot my candles and speaker pod. I wish now I had of taken these things to make myself feel more comfortable and relaxed. I also should have used the bath in the birthing suit more which I regret. 

Forgetting the little touches: 
I also regret forgetting the little things like a night light for your hospital room as my room was only pitch black or a very bright light. I also wish I had took a warm robe and warm blanket as the hospital was freezing! 

Not having pain relief drugs: 
That’s right I did the whole thing only with gas. 

Not asking for more: 
I remember trying to be quite humble and not asking for much in the hospital. For example a hospital gown, as I was very uncomfortable in my maternity tights and long sleeve shirt the first half of my labor. I soon changed into my night gown and this is what I have birth in. But I feel I would have been more comfortable in a hospital gown which was never offered.

Also I would have asked for food. In the whole mess of it all I didn’t eat any food. I do remember they bringing me a lunch plate of some sort of harty stew which I pushed away. When I think back on it I should have just asked for something like fruit or crackers that I may have been able to stomach. I only finally asked for a piece of toast and a cup of water several hour after giving birth. Most hospital won’t offer you anything so you have to ask. 
This also goes for the amount of days you spend in the hospital. If you don’t think your ready to leave ask to stay another day. Don’t let them kick you out like rhey did me after one day.  

Telling my husband to stay: 
The birth of my baby boy was very traumatic. Sometimes I still feel like I have PTSD about the whole thing. I do remember there was so many doctors and mid wife’s in the room and then it was all over and there was no one. The room was empty and my husband soon left for home as well. I lay there in the hospital bed waiting for a nurse to take me to the maternity ward. It felt like hours. A nurse then came and got me and made me walk with my baby across the long halls to the ward. I WISH I had asked my husband to stay so he could help me walk or got my a wheel chair to push me to my room because FYI it is VERY difficult to walk after you have just given birth. 

Eating and drinking more: 
I definitely didn’t eat or drink enough in the days after giving birth. I was extremely exhausted and ended up losing 12kg in the next week after my baby was born. It is so important for your milk supply to keep up your nutrition I know now I should have been eating a lot. 
*note- also don’t let your husband steal your hospital meals because he is hungry! lol 

Staying in bed with my baby and relaxing: 
For some reason I never really just got to lay in my bed with my baby and relax. There was always people in the room or baby was asleep so I had him in the bassinet. Also for some reason I sat in the seat in the corner to feed my baby even though it was uncomfortable. If I could go back I would just lay in bed the days to follow holding my new baby. 

Having people visit too soon: I know the news of a new baby get everyone excited and wanted to run up to the hospital straight away wanting to see the little angle but sometime it not the best thing for mum or baby. 
I still remember not wanting to be selfish and letting a lot of guests come visit straight away the very next morning after I delivered my baby boy. Soon I realised it was way too soon in my opinion. 

I had only just opened my eyes after having only a couple hours sleep after a very long 28 hour labour and a few minutes later I had guests all day long without break, Group after group. My husband myself and baby did not get even one minute of alone time that first day. 
I felt completely overwhelmed and emotional. I felt like other people got to hold my baby more then I had even held him. Also I needed sleep desperately but I could not sleep due to guests in my room, then even sitting on my bed so I couldn’t lay down. I still to this day feel very anxious, uncomfortable and a little sick to my stomach when I think back on the whole situation. 

At the end of that day I broke down and cried so hard on my husband shoulder when he had to leave as visiting hour where over and I hadn’t had a minute alone with him. 

Now I know it is not selfish just to at least have the first day all to yourself and your baby and your husband. Have bonding time, get some day sleep and just take it easy. Then maybe the next day or later have guest come visit your little bundle. 

So there you have it those are the things I wish I could go back and change but the one thing I wouldn’t change is my beautiful baby boy. 
Even thought my labour didn’t go as expected my baby is healthy and happy and that’s all that matters. 

If you need to vent or talk about things in your experience leave a comment below or on FB. 


  • Mummy r 

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