This post is all about the shocking first pregnancy truths not many people will tell you regarding pregnancy, delivery and postpartum recovery.

The experiences of these events are different for every first time mom. Some of them you may find a little frightening, others may sound a little funny.

Nevertheless, I’m here to tell you some unpleasant and humorous things about pregnancy, delivery and postpartum recovery NOBODY tells a first time mom.

Above all, have fun reading this, and remember, giving birth is different for everyone. Enjoy your process and prepare for it the best you can.

Real Truths About Being Pregnant for the First Time

Being pregnant for the first time is such an incredible moment of your life. However, some of it may not be as glamorous as you may have hoped for.

Unfortunately, a lot of what I’m going to share is – well, just plain gross. Sorry, but that is the nature of what creating a human being involves.

Read on to learn about pregnancy happenings no one will tell you about, until now!

Not This Kind of Relaxing while Pregnant…

For one, nobody tells you how your hips will painfully stretch a part in a not so relaxing way – even though the word “relax” implies it.

This common hip pain is called round ligament pain and it is usually experienced within the first trimester of pregnancy (source).

Because of the hormone relaxin, your ligaments begin the process of stretching to make room for baby!

Some women don’t feel much of the effects of relaxin, but others – like me, may be in for quite a lot of discomfort until your body adapts.

What You can do About Hip Pain During Pregnancy

Thankfully, round ligament pain is usually temporary.

In the meantime, it’s best to just take it easy and not do anything to aggravate the sensitive ligaments even more or over stretch them.

There may be some gentle yoga movements that can help, but ask your doctor first what they recommend.

The best remedy I found for my round ligament pain was to apply warm heat using a heating pad.

A Pain in the Bum During Pregnancy

These little veins can become inflamed most commonly during the third trimester of pregnancy. This is because an enlarged uterus puts pressure on the rectum (source).

Of course, this common pregnancy happening is a very unwelcome guest for any new mom to be. There also isn’t a lot of warning handed out to first time moms about this inconvenient truth.

If you happen to be unfortunate enough that this pain in the butt pregnancy symptom befalls you, here are some things you can do to alleviate hemorrhoid discomfort.

Soak your bottom in a warm water with epsom salt.
Apply icepacks or cold gel packs to your bottom several times a day.
Apply baking soda (wet or dry) to the area to help alleviate itching.
You can apply products containing witch hazel to the area.
Third trimester care box

After pregnancy this problem nobody told you about usually clears up on it’s own.

First Pregnancy Labor and Delivery Truths

I bet this is the section you were waiting for!

If you are reading this and expecting to deliver your first baby, please don’t let anything written here give you any anxiety. You are a strong mama-to-be and you will get through whatever life throws at you in the delivery room!

I promise, you won’t be the first or the last to experience something unpleasant during your baby’s birth. However, you will have your own unique story to tell.

If you’re feeling a little anxious about delivery and would like some extra insight on what to expect and how to have the outcome you desire AND you prefer learning online versus in-person, maybe a prenatal and delivery course is a great option for you.

I’d like to recommend This online prenatal class to you, Birth it Up! by Mommy Labor Nurse. Use code LOVEOURLITTLES for 10% off!

This online prenatal class is for the mamas who want to include their hubbies in on the labor and delivery preparation and it’s taught by a real labor and delivery nurse who know EXACTLY what you’ll be going through.

If this sounds like something you would benefit from and maybe a fun date night in with the hubs, here is where you can join.

The Worst Thing that Could Happen During Labor

Nobody will tell you that contractions can be soooo intense that you can actually get sick. You may also experience nausea and vomiting from different medications given during labor.

In any case, this is just another thing to add to the list of possible outcomes during labor and delivery.

You may or may not know what I’m about to tell you, but here it is –incase nobody told you, you may poo during delivery. Yes, it happens, and there’s nothing you can do it about it if it does.

You know what, it really doesn’t natter and I can bet you anything, in the moment, you will not even care! So don’t worry yourself about it, just push that baby out and forget the rest!

Prenatal Tip: Starting a regimen ahead of time to help you avoid tearing during delivery could be very beneficial. Using a perineal balm, like this one – may help reduce your risk and that means less complications later.

DIY Postpartum Padsicles

Yield: 1-5

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Difficulty: None

Estimated Cost: $35.00

Postpartum padsicles to aleviate vaginal discomfort after giving birth. Use common household ingredients to diy them. Make as many as you like!

Materials

Chlorine-Free Unscented Overnight Maxi Pads
Witch Hazel
Aloe Vera Gel
Spray Bottle (optional)
Lavender Essential Oil
Freezer Bags

Tools

Spray Bottle

Instructions

Open maxi pad, but leave attatched to it's wrapper.
Add a layer of aloe vera gel to the entire length of the pad (omit the wings).
Spray the pad with the witch hazel and lavendar oil mixture.
Fold up the pad and insert into the plastic freezer bag
Freeze

Notes

One large freezer bag can fit several padsicles. Leave pad out for 5 minutes or so before applying to your skin.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Peeing After Birth

I was definetly not prepared or warned that I would receive a catheter during labor and delivery.

No one told me in order to bask in the sweet relief of an epidural, that I would then be unable to use my legs enough to make it to the bathroom and pee on my own.

Thankfully, they do wait to insert the catheter after the epidural, but that doesn’t really make it any more pleasant of an experience. Just be prepared to have a bit of a lazy bladder after they remove it for a little while.

Thankfully, you’ll already be wearing a pad built for Niagara Falls, so leaks won’t even matter!

Another fun fact related to receiving an epidural are the uncontrollable shakes that can occur. This is perfectly normal, but a little jarring and irritating after a while.

Just know, this too shall pass.

Look here for fun DIY maternity photo ideas: 10 DIY Maternity Photos You can do with Your iPhone, at Home and Outside

First Pregnancy Postpartum Recovery Truths

As with most challenging things, we tell ourselves – all we have to do is get through this one thing and it will be over.

Well, the hardest part of labor is over – yes, but the postpartum recovery can come with some unexpected unpleasantries as well.

Speaking of getting back to normal after you give birth, The Postpartum Cure is a complete guide to help you get back in shape both physically and mentally.

This online course is equipped with meal plans, recipes, workouts and more for only $47 and that even includes an app so you can follow along on your cell phone!

I’m currently taking it now and I love it so far!

The Postpartum Cure also has a belly only pregnancy program for those of you who are in still in the early stages of pregnancy. You can grab that course for $27.

P.S. As an added benefit, I will also send you my Pumping Pro Course for free after you enroll in any course via a link on this website. Here are the details.

You’ll want to know the information in this post: Postpartum Hair Loss Help: Tips from A Cosmetologist

Pushing You to Your Limit

Nobody will tell you that after you have your baby, a nurse will then press into your tender stomach about an inch away from your spine to remove the remaining blood out of your uterus.

Does this sound awful? Why yes, that is because it is.

The last thing you want someone doing to that region of your body after you just spent many hours pushing a person out of it, is shove their fist through it!

It really amazes me what women are capable of going through in order to keep the world populated.

Give yourself a pat on the back mama and treat yo’ self, Amazon is only one click away.

Will Your Legs Look Like Elephant Trunks?

Another first time mom postpartum experience I was not warned about was the massive swelling in my legs that would occur after delivery.

No joke, my legs became shockingly enlarged during the first couple days postpartum. I was not only looking at these massive legs that did not fit my small frame – at all, but trying to walk with them was an even funnier event to witness.

Newborn rules signs for visitors.

Breastfeeding for First Time Moms

No one may tell you while you are pregnant that breastfeeding can be a little more complicated of a skill than you may be thinking it is.

Many moms experience breastfeeding troubles within the few first weeks of having their baby.

However, this can be easily avoided.

Thankfully there is an extremely popular and affordable online course called The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class by Milkology.

With the informational all video content in the course, you will learn the fundamentals of breastfeeding that you can put to practice the second you have you baby.

Your breastfeeding success is almost guaranteed if you choose to take this 90 minute course.

P.S. After you enroll, as an added gift, you can also receive a FREE seat in my pumping and milk supply course. Simply contact me once you have enrolled.

Last Words

Well mama, that will conclude this rather graphic, and yet eye-opening read.

I felt it was my duty to rip the bandaid off and tell you some of the things about pregnancy, delivery and postpartum that nobody else will!

I really do wish someone would have filled me in on some of these experiences, maybe I would have prepared differently and given myself more grace and time to recover.

Even so, I hope you found some strength and humor in what you just read. If you have yet to deliver your sweet bundle, just know, you are not alone.

There is a loving community with open arms waiting to embrace you at Love Our Littles.

You can join this growing mama village by signing up for our newsletter right now.

Not sure how to go about deciding on your birth plan? Let Earth Mama Organics help! Here is their free birth plan to help you navigate your options before you get to the hospital and are too overwhelmed, tired or anxious to remember!

Shocking First Pregnancy Truths: Labor, Birth & Postpartum