8 Surprising things that may happen during childbirth & bull; hello healthy

For expectant parents, childbirth can be a time of excitement, full of joy, fear, and nervousness. Especially for parents who are looking forward to the birth of their first child and have no previous experience with childbirth. The process of having a child is full of surprises and secrets that not many people know about. Indeed, not many know about the details and what things might happen in the delivery room when a mother-to-be is struggling to give birth to her baby.

What are common things and which pose certain risks? To find out more, look carefully at the various possibilities during childbirth below.

1. The delivery plan changed suddenly

Pregnant women usually have a birth plan in order to be better prepared for the process when the long-awaited day arrives. The birth plan itself usually contains all the information regarding where the mother-to-be will give birth, who will accompany the expectant mother in the delivery room, the method of delivery chosen, what medical procedures are approved, and what pain medication or anesthetics will be used.

However, no matter how complete the birth plan that has been prepared, it still does not rule out the possibility that at the time of delivery, factors that were not predicted beforehand may arise so that the plan changes. For example, you have to immediately have an emergency caesarean section even though you have planned a normal birth. If something like that happens, try to stay calm and listen carefully to the medical opinions of doctors and health professionals who are accompanying you at that time. These changes in plans occur frequently, so you don't have to panic as long as the situation is under control.

2. Nausea and vomiting

When giving birth, vomiting is a natural thing to happen. Whether you're on an epidural or not, sometimes the pain you have to endure can make you nauseous and even vomit. Another reason is that food that is not successfully digested makes your stomach feel full. So you should avoid eating foods that are too heavy or difficult to digest before labor begins. In some women, using an anesthetic such as an epidural can also cause nausea and vomiting because your blood pressure suddenly drops.

3. Defecate

Don't be afraid if you have a bowel movement accidentally during labor. This is very common and often happens so that nurses and obstetricians are used to it. The medical personnel who accompany you at that time will clean it and continue the labor process as usual. This is because the muscles that are contracting to push your baby out are the same muscles that are used when you have a bowel movement. This can happen several times before your baby's head starts showing up at the vaginal opening.

4. Urinate

Usually, epidural anesthesia causes numbness or a feeling of weakness in the pelvic muscles so that you cannot feel or hold your urine in. There is no need to worry or be embarrassed because this is a very common possibility during childbirth. The medical staff will help you or insert the catheter.

5. Get rid of the wind

Just like the side effects of urination that occur in users of epidural anesthesia, it is also possible to pass air accidentally. You can't completely control the various muscles under your hips, so don't feel embarrassed. It is better to concentrate on the birth and safety of your baby.

6. The placenta must be removed

Usually the placenta which is the "home" for your baby in the womb will come out by itself about 5 to 20 minutes after your baby is born. However, sometimes the mother's placenta is not completely intact and is still left in the uterus. If this happens, the medical personnel who accompany you will immediately take and clean the remains of the placenta from your uterus.

7. Vaginal sores or tears

For women who are giving birth normally, there is a chance that the vaginal delivery may get injured, blistered, or torn. This generally occurs in those who are undergoing a normal labor for the first time and where the process is very fast. The cause of the cut or tear is that the vagina is not stretched large enough for the baby's head and body to pass. Usually the wound in the vagina during childbirth is not so severe that it is sometimes not felt and does not need any stitches. However, if the tear is so deep that it injures the surrounding muscles and tissue, you will need stitches.

8. Blood clots

Bleeding that occurs after childbirth (postpartum blood) is normal and should not be worried about. This occurs in mothers who give birth normally or by caesarean section. However, bleeding that occurs in some people is followed by blood clots. As long as the blood clot that comes out is not too large or is accompanied by headaches, dizziness, and heavy bleeding, you don't need to worry. These thick blood clots, which are somewhat similar to menstrual blood, are usually red or purple in color and are the body's natural process of removing any remaining placental tissue, mucus, and blood that is no longer needed after labor is over. This possibility during childbirth is also known medically as lochia.