Pregnancy and birth: what they never told you Created By SarahStone on 03 July 2008

Let's be honest: pregnancy and childbirth can be a very messy business indeed, and most books and magazines don't like to dwell on things such as piles, pain and placenta. So what do you wish you'd known before you had your baby? Share it here.

You'll need to be logged in to join this group. Login or Register
Register now to get the most out of your gurgle experience, including:
  • Ask or answer parenting queries in our chat forums - or have a good old moan!
  • Receive a personalised week-by-week email about your pregnancy or baby stage
  • Enter great mummy and baby competitions every week
You really should register to reap the gurgle benefits, but don't just take our word for it, Here's what gurgle members say

Members 29

Page 1-4

Modlishka

Modlishka  

Stage: 13 Week Old
Location: Midlothian, United Kingdom
Last visit: 5 months ago
mumtobeBecci

mumtobeBecci  

Stage: 39 weeks pregnant
Location: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Last visit: 18 days ago
jenemoos

jenemoos  

Stage: 25 month old
Location: Hampshire, United Kingdom
Last visit: 6 months ago

KatyJane83

KatyJane83  

Stage: 28 Week Old
Location: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Last visit: 14 hours ago
SarahStone

SarahStone gurgle Team 

Stage: Guest
Location: Surrey, United Kingdom
Last visit: 1 years ago
vickip1985

vickip1985  

Stage: 28 weeks pregnant
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Last visit: 13 hours ago

nicci9531

nicci9531  

Stage: 22 Week Old
Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
Last visit: 6 months ago
Steph0701

Steph0701  

Stage: 33 weeks pregnant
Location: Hampshire, United Kingdom
Last visit: 1 days ago
xXCelesteXx

xXCelesteXx  

Stage: 15 weeks pregnant
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Last visit: 20 hours ago
Page 1-4

Page 1-5
xXCelesteXx
Reply xXCelesteXx 2 days ago
Apparently rubbing olive oil on the perineum (the bit of skin between your vagina and your bum) from about 25 weeks is meant to reduce the risk of tearing, but not stop it completely. Also, listening to your midwife's. When you are crowning, they will tell you to pant, not push. this is because pushing whilst you are crowning will mean that you will prob tear. It helps to have a mum thats a midwife!! lol xx
Why olive oil in particular? Are there specific creams for that purpose and what does it do? Just soften the skin and make it more flexible? In that case wouldn't any cream do that moisturises. And are you just supposed to cream it (or oil it) or do you have to actually rub it and massage it for some time. Sorry I'm being so crude, I just would like to know whether I can actively do something to prevent a tear. I'm terrified of that so much more than the actual thought of giving birth. lol
mummysam01
Reply mummysam01 2 days ago
Do most mums end up with tears?? I'm abit worried about that actually. I hear most people say they had stiches or were cut and whatnot. Anyone here that didnt? And also, sorry if this is a weird question, but is there anyway you could prepare yourself for it and reduce your chances to tear? Like maybe creams or something? xx
Apparently rubbing olive oil on the perineum (the bit of skin between your vagina and your bum) from about 25 weeks is meant to reduce the risk of tearing, but not stop it completely. Also, listening to your midwife's. When you are crowning, they will tell you to pant, not push. this is because pushing whilst you are crowning will mean that you will prob tear. It helps to have a mum thats a midwife!! lol xx
mummysam01
Reply mummysam01 2 days ago
Do most mums end up with tears?? I'm abit worried about that actually. I hear most people say they had stiches or were cut and whatnot. Anyone here that didnt? And also, sorry if this is a weird question, but is there anyway you could prepare yourself for it and reduce your chances to tear? Like maybe creams or something? xx
Apparently rubbing olive oil on the perineum (the bit of skin between your vagina and your bum) from about 25 weeks is meant to reduce the risk of tearing, but not stop it completely. Also, listening to your midwife's. When you are crowning, they will tell you to pant, not push. this is because pushing whilst you are crowning will mean that you will prob tear. It helps to have a mum thats a midwife!! lol xx
xXCelesteXx
Reply xXCelesteXx 4 days ago
One thing they never tell you about it the painkillers they give you after you've had your stitches. I remember the doctor telling me he was going to give me a painkiller and getting the tablet out, and I thought ooh, that's a big tablet, I hope they'll give me a drink of water with that...and then he shoved it up my bum! Quite suprised!!! x
OMG, that actually made me giggle a bit ('I hope they give me water;)')I've never heard that before either. It thought every time a women gives birth all they talk about is boobs and some sorts of fluids coming out of various ends and of course poos and sick - and thats all quite personal. but by the looks of it there is a lot more to it ... x
KatyJane83
Reply KatyJane83 10 days ago
One thing they never tell you about it the painkillers they give you after you've had your stitches. I remember the doctor telling me he was going to give me a painkiller and getting the tablet out, and I thought ooh, that's a big tablet, I hope they'll give me a drink of water with that...and then he shoved it up my bum! Quite suprised!!! x
Page 1-5
You'll need to be logged in to post new Comments and Answers or to Chat. Login or Register