The moment labour starts

[maldives]

Will I have time to have a shower. dry my hair maybe put some makeup ?? call my family ..etc?
or is it just rush rush rush to hospital or sitting in agony at home?
The other thing. as i am getting closer to labour and as I prefer to be all nice and tidy down there and all over, I am just wondering when shall i start waxing? hair normally start to grow within 2 weeks but don't know when to wax now ? any advice?

 

[Geordie&Bairn]

It could go either way soem girls do have a wow its happening not much warning mad rush to the hosptial
But on the whole i think there is plenty of time for you to wash your hair five your lady garden a trim ect ect

labour is in 3 stages and the my mid wife said there is no point going to the hosptial till the contractions are 5 minutes apart for a couple of hours then go in to effectively you could be in the first stage for hours ages to get you lippy on
It could go quicky thougn so dont qoute me but i think most of the girls have slow build up to the main event and have time to prepare

I looked this up for me too i like to know what i'm saying is actually fact and its interesting too i heard it from the anti natal lady but you always forget half the details later
http://www.thebabyregistry.co.uk/Default.asp?Page=105
It says the first stage for first time Mum could be 10 to 12 hours you could get your hair done and have a facial in that time

sarah

 

[BeckyJ]

im hoping i will have time to potter about and prepare myself

 

[Sherlock]

I'd like to think you'd have time to do stuff I'd maybe not worry about the makeup though Really, it'll just run and who is really worried about mascara and lippy when they are pushing hard to get their baby out? No need to go to hospital until contractions are well established etc.

TBH first time births are usually slower happening, so you usually get some build up and warning. I'd not call the first stage of labour 'agony' either, but thats just me I built up to mine and found it bearable for a long while with no pain relief, just moving round, breathing, focusing. It can go on a fair while so I'd suggest trying to go with it, not fight it or tense up. Relax, stay at home, potter about

I'd have not gone to hospital till I contractions were 4 minutes or so apart tbh and it was really at the point I thought sod this for a lark. I liked being at home and relaxing, pottering, watching TV, ironing. Going in before then just means waiting around as you are still not in the next stage of delivery really.

And re waxing/shaving etc. They really don't care what you look like down there on your bits. Medical advice tells you to not shave down there as it can nick the skin and cause infection which is not nice for baby on the way out or you. Its all vanity that we do all that for delivery.

 

[debecca]

Most first-time labours give you enough time to shower.

I had a megaquick first labour and still had time to shower - but not to dry my hair which bothered me all day and all night until the hospital staff found me a hairdryer!!

Not sure you'll wanna be waxing in labour - I'd do it at Week 39 point myself to give yourself maximum chance of being OK during labour if it bothers you that much.

Honestly, though, once you're in labour dignity / neat pubes are the last thing on your mind

 

[maldives]

Thanks all for ur replies. well I am kind of a shy person and waxing is a must for me

 

[abcd1234]

I was wondering abotu waxing too lol, i'm due one now, but i wanna make sure i'm gonna be ok for labour, so i guess if i have one now i'll have time to have another (proabably) before she's here.

 

[flowergirl]

Shy - you wont be! I never undress infront of strangers and am really self conscious but when I was in labour I was naked baring my arse for all to see and I really didn't care! I'm sure you'll be the same- you have 1 priority when in labour and that's to get baby out- everything else doesn't matter!

 

[peach]

my first was to quick x

I had abig contraction at 1.15am then progresses very fast I went from 2cm - 10cm in 30mins he was born at 4.30am lol

ds 2 was a elective c sec xx

 

[Happybunny]

My labour lasted for four days at home before I went in, so I had time to make soup, iron sheets, go for a walk and take numerous baths and showers and watch about 30 hours of catch-up TV (all between contractions, lol)

Don't worry about being shy and not being waxed. Your self respect goes out of the window! I am very very shy too but in the end, I was on all fours, baring my naked bottom (with piles) to a room full of people, including a paramedic student!! I really didn't care

 

[keli]

I went for a wax the other day and it was really really painful more so than usual.. just thought i'd let you know do feel better tho xx

 

[DebbieM]

I am very body shy but trust me - once you're in labour you will not give a stuff who sees your bits or what state they are in!!!!!!

 

[kellysomer]

The first one i could have washed, dried, dyed, styled and then brushed my hair for hours.

The second one well, i dont think i even had time to tie it back.....

 

[maldives]

thanks all. really good to know all ur experiences. I guess as the majority didn't seem to bother about waxing, then I shouldn't

 

[peach]

thanks all. really good to know all ur experiences. I guess as the majority didn't seem to bother about waxing, then I shouldn't

i used the hair remoovel cream itwas easyer lol

but by the time it came to having bubs i could of given birth in the car park with everything untidy and on show and wouldnt of minded

 

[Suzie and Faith]

It's comforting to hear that people really don't care what they look like in labour. It's hard when you think or yourself as shy, to think that you could ever not be ! (if that makes sense)!!

 

[DaisyRose]

Hi,

It does depend on the person but you should be fine. If by chance it is fast you probably won't care anyway!!!

I had oodles of time with my first labour - must have had a bath about 3 times!!! Not sure about the make-up bit, they'll make you take it off pretty quick if there are any complications (I had to have an emergency c/section first time and they rushed about looking for nail varnish remover coz I had painted my toes, ha ha). 2nd time it was Christmas day so there was me trying to be normal for my 2 year old and doing all the Christmas Day stuff (between contractions) so I didn't have much time to think about that, although I did have a bath. I didn't want to leave my little girl until I'd put her to bed and I had everyone on at me to 'go to hospital' - it was kind of comical really!!! A Christmas I will never forget!!!

All the best and don't worry, labour is pretty undignified but they're used to it!!!