What's happening with baby during labour?

[Teeki]

I'm just wondering, seeing as they'd feel the contractions tightening things around them, do they kind of realise what's going on? Do they move more or less during labour? I know it can take a long time and you're probably focusing on the contractions more than anything else, but do you still feel kicks and stuff? Or are they kind of preparing for the birth during it all?

Just something I've wondered about lately, I'm wondering a lot about what life is like in there for the little one

[krystals]

I was wondering too before I went into labour!

While I was still at home, DS was actually quiet in there for most of the time, but once it all amped up, I think he either got excited about seeing us, or panicked about his journey- either way, he moved around quite a bit on his way out! The midwives all commented on it, he actually turned (sideways, not a tumbleturn) a couple of times.

I think all bubs are different though =)

[RainbowBrite]

I t was explained to me my my lovely midwife during my first labour that the contractions are like big hugs...I liked that and it made the ctx feel even more positive.

[black_rose]

Ds was kicking and punching like mad during my last day of contractions, he punched and broke my waters. No idea what he was doing after that it was so fast.

I was in early stages of labour with him and for a couple of weeks (and possibly dd1), so I had a lot of monitoring, they were both calm during the contractions.

Dd1 was distressed in the end as she was stuck.

I think they know what to do and when everything is right they just chill and get down to business.

[onthefly]

There's lots of wonderful hormonal things going on, so perhaps they're really blissed out on oxytocin and endorphins?

[~clover~]

DD3 was moving around alot through labour, but all my others were pretty quiet.
I think they probably sleep through most of it

[LimeSlice]

They are experiencing the hormones you release...
If you are anxious, nervous, scared and releasing stress hormones (cortisol, etc) then baby will be scared anxious etc too.

This is why it is SO important for you to be in a safe and secure place and feel safe and secure, calm, when giving birth. This is also why many women won't go into labour, or labour will stall, if unwanted people (like pushy OBs or MILs lol) come into the birthing space.

As for physically, being pushed out would be fairly traumatic physically I would think... another fab reason to have no part of directed pushing if you can avoid it and let your body do the work. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed the birthing space around the baby is, and thus, the easier the birth physically on both of you.

[Danielle_NZ]

I also wondered this.... also when you are experiencing so many braxton hicks are they feeling the same as when it's labour?

[Teeki]

I like the big hugs description, definitely makes it sound much nicer

Thanks for the explanations everyone, it makes sense that they'd know what was going on and be getting whatever hormones I'm releasing.

Lime Slice, that's kind of why I was wondering, I've read things about babies kicking on their way out, or becoming distressed, and wondered if that was the reason why. As for my own birth, I'm confident it will all go smoothly for me and bubs as I'm so relaxed and even excited about it. The number of people trying to scare me with horror stories or tell me it'll be the most painful thing of my life are seriously doing my head in! But I just refuse to believe it can be as bad as some people make out - I was made to do this right? And even though there'll be pain, or discomfort, I'm excited about it because I know what it's doing and that it leads to me holding my baby. DH knows how I'd like things to go and the midwives here are fantastic, so hopefully my baby will be getting lots of calming and love hormones

[onthefly]

Good point! With both my births I became distressed and so did my babies. Becuase of good support peopel I was able to calm down and refocus with DD, who's heartrate also stabilised. With DS nobody seemed to care much that I was in distress.

[Teeki]

That's exactly what I'm thinking MadB, thanks I'm sorry things didn't go as well as they could have with your DS, but it sounds like things went well with your DD I guess good support people who are on the same page are really essential

[turtleschell]

This is a really interesting thread!!
LOVE the big hugs theory, it really would be like hugs.
I also agree with LimeSlice. That's why I didn't have my mum in there with me, she just freaks out real easy and makes everyone panic!
DD was really still during my labour, tbh I had actually forgotten there was going to be a baby! I was just trying to deal with each contraction, and didn't think any further! LOL.

[CrazyLady]

I t was explained to me my my lovely midwife during my first labour that the contractions are like big hugs...I liked that and it made the ctx feel even more positive.

That's a gorgeous way to explain it!

[helle]

This is a really interesting thread!!
LOVE the big hugs theory, it really would be like hugs.
I also agree with LimeSlice. That's why I didn't have my mum in there with me, she just freaks out real easy and makes everyone panic!
DD was really still during my labour, tbh I had actually forgotten there was going to be a baby! I was just trying to deal with each contraction, and didn't think any further! LOL.

I gave my mum THE MOST MASSIVE lecture about freaking out while I was in labour, and said if she did I'd kick her out. And I meant it! It's really the last thing you need especially of you're heading that way yourself

I've heard the hugs theory before too, I think it's cute ^^;

[zap]

Kaylee good on you for have such a positive outlook on the most special experience of your life! Dont listen to the horror stories! I think some women are almost jealous if you have a positive birth experience. I have a girlfriend that repeats her birth stories everytime I mean everytime I am pg! Big f$&@en whoop if you refused an epidural for 17hrs! Big deal if your second labour was 4 hours! Boo hoo that your third was longer than 12! I dont want to hear it unless you are trying to inspire me! Good luck Kaylee trust your body it will surprise you!