May is Pregnancy Awareness Month, and if you're expecting or already have a child, then you're definitely aware of what it's like to be pregnant. But do you know what to expect when it's time for your bundle of joy to arrive? You may think that there's only one place and one way to deliver a baby, but these days, your options are far more varied than you think. Many women put together pages and pages of birth plans down to the tiniest details, including candle scents and music choices. But when push comes to, well, pushing, the best-laid plans can go awry. Here are a few things that the books you've been dutifully reading may not tell you. First, those handy laboring positions that can reduce pain may be forgotten. Don't think you're nuts - you've got a lot going on! So it may help for your birthing partner or doula to bone up on those positions to help you out when the time comes. Don't be surprised if your body does things you don't want it to - like poop, puke or shiver.
All of these things are normal and even to be expected. Your digestive system will come to a standstill while laboring, so anything in your stomach may come up. And when it's time to push, the baby's head will compress the rectum and perhaps force out its contents as well. It's nothing that doctors and nurses haven't seen before, so don't be embarrassed or let it take you away from the task at hand. Shivering - reported by about half of moms - may be due to blood incompatibility. It's not serious; during birth, the baby's blood may pass into the mom's bloodstream, and if they're different, then that can cause the shivers. It's also a side effect of an epidural, should you choose to get one. After it's all said and done and your new baby is placed on your chest, don't feel bad if you're not immediately smitten. You're exhausted - give breastfeeding a try if you're going to do it, pose for any pictures, then hand the newborn over to the nurses so you can get some rest. You'll likely fall in love when you've recovered from the experience and the baby is brought from the nursery.