20 Facts About D-Day ​​​​​​​

Giving birth may be natural, but there are certain things that a woman needs to know (and her partner too). Cathrine Versfeld compiled a list of the top 20 things most women wish they had known before they went into labour!

- Cathrine Versfeld

First-time moms often find it difficult to get all the facts or know what to expect from childbirth. Although some women will admit that it hurt, and hurt bad, they never give the full picture. Others forget most of the process, or only remember the bad experiences; but in fact, there are many unique and really amazing moments in those hours before you meet your baby!

01

BABY COMES WHEN BABY IS READY

Nothing is carved in stone and that is true for the estimated due date of your baby. Although doctors can calculate it quite closely from the date of your last period and the size of your baby in sonar scans, they can be off by a number of weeks. It helps to remember that the ‘due date’ you are given is calculated at 40 weeks gestation and many babies can make an appearance anywhere from 37 weeks without being considered premature.

02

THE SIGNS DON’T ALWAYS HAPPEN

Although movies and literature love to use ‘the waters breaking’ as a classic introduction to labour, it doesn’t always happen. Similarly, although some women get a ‘show’ (the protective mucous plug escaping from the cervix as it softens) this is also not guaranteed. The fact is, you could go into labour without any of the classic signs.

03

KNOWING WHEN TO GET GOING

One of the nasty little twists of nature is Braxton hicks, the name given to practice contractions – although, once again, not all women get these. These usually begin in earnest about two weeks before your due date and are a lot like labour pains, only milder. The rule of thumb with real labour is regularity. Start timing the waves of pain on your watch or phone. When they start coming regularly, every 10 minutes for at least an hour, it’s time to head for the labour ward.

04