There are some things about LABOR & DELIVERY that no one talks about, but I want to, because if I tell you about them then you can prepare now and have a way better experience.  

There are 4 things you need to prepare for… #3 {the Gucci Cucci} may surprise you, but I know you will thank me for this.

So many ladies have told me that these 4 things helped them so much.

 

Also, at the end of the post, I have some tips on how you can STRENGTHEN your body and PREPARE IT for Labor.

Doctors and Labor Nurses are now talking about the positive influence that this has on making labors easier and faster and easier to recuperate.

 

 

4 Things You NEED To Know Before Labor –

To Properly Prepare & Have A Better Experience

 

1.  You may poop during labor. (sorry about the poop talk, but I think we need to just get it out in the open)

 

Yep, you’ve been hearing it right, you totally can.

 

Some women will take an enema but here are my thoughts…

You may obsess about it before labor, but when you are in the moment, in the middle of a contraction, and the pain and the anxiety, the last thing on your mind is pooping.  

 

When you are pushing, especially if you have an epidural, its very hard to know exactly from where you are pushing, plus you are pushing with all your dang might that its sort of hard for it to not happen.  As with everything that I tell you about pregnancy, JUST EMBRACE IT.

 

You are not going to be the first woman that poops during labor and you won’t be the last. 

 

It happens, get over it!

 

Maybe talk to your hubby about it or whoever else is in the room that day.  

Maybe send them something to read on it.  

It happens, so just warn them so it doesn’t come as a surprise.

 

Then, don’t worry about it during your labor.

 

Ask to not be told if you do and don’t ask yourself.  For what?  

 

And seriously, labor and delivery is the most amazing thing.  Its such a crazy amazing and beautiful experience that even if you poop during it LOL, it still will be amazing and your hubby will really just remember your baby coming out.

 

My hubby originally said he didn’t want to be down there in that area.  He was going to stay by my upper torso.  But when it came time, he was right there seeing the entering of our baby into this world for the first time.  He saw the first time his little head popped out, his little black hair, his shoulders…  He says it was incredible and he says he is so happy he saw it.

 

I remember hearing so much about how guys shouldn’t be there and how them seeing that changes the way they see you or “that” LOL but my hubby said it didn’t at all.  

He was so happy he saw Nicholas’ first glimpse of the world.  

He actually says he has a new found respect and admiration for me and for us women.  

It was a great experience for him.

 

So be proud, be happy, be open and honest, talk about all these things…  You will feel so much better if you do.

 

2.  When you think its over, its not…  The Placenta

 

I don’t know about you, but I had a skewed idea of the whole placenta thing.  

I don’t know, I think I just imagined it just comes out by itself.  Or maybe I just didn’t really know anything about the placenta.

 

But a second after Nicholas was out, my first words were “what about the placenta”?  Should I push?

 

The doctor freaked since my pushes were pretty insane he told me to COUGH.  But he told me to wait.  I’m not sure what was happening or what he was doing… all I remember is that when he did tell me to cough, it was soooooo disgusting.  

Maybe because by that time the epidural had worn off, but I did feel a blob sort of wiggle out, and then I took a glance and I almost threw up.  YUK!

 

So just be warned!  The placenta must come out too lol.

 

Your doctor will tell you when and what to do, but here is my advice…..  DON’T LOOK AT IT, its super yuk.

 

The second time around, with Anabelle, I think I didn’t even cough, it all happened so fast, I think he just pulled it out.  But I definitely didn’t look this time and spared me the nausea feeling.

 

 

3.  The Gucci Cucci  

Um, yep, I just said that.

It’s going to happen so lets just talk about it.

 

So most of the time, during natural labors, women either tear or have an episiotomy (the doctor slices you lol).

 

This hurts, and like a friggin mother!  Wow!

So, you will have stitches and swelling and it HURTS.

 

At the end of my first labor, the epidural had worn off during my stitches and I remember asking my doctor, how many stitches are you putting in?  And he said why are you feeling them….  

Um…. yeah!  

He said, don’t worry, I’m giving you a Gucci cucci.  

 

So you know what, the second time around I didn’t even ask.  

Instead of worrying about the bad and how much I tore or how many stitches, I just figured, what the heck at least now I get a NEW Gucci cucci 🙂 Just turn it around and be positive about it.

 

WHAT TO DO TO PREPARE FOR THIS:

You will have to wear these big huge maxi pads and they also give you these ice packs to put on the maxi pad to alleviate some pain and swelling.

Before your due date, go to the grocery store or pharmacy and get yourself a big pack of maxi pads with wings.

Wings are important and extra long.  

They give you a bunch to take home from the hospital but they are big and bulky and uncomfortable and ugly and they just make you feel worse.

Also, you can’t wear your cute thongs with these huge pads, nor do you want to because it’s just not comfortable with that pain.

 

Some people told me to get granny panties, because it was more comfortable but I refused.  

So I’ll tell you what I did and what I advise you to do.  

A few weeks before my due date, I went to Victoria’s Secret and I bought about a dozen cute and sexy little boy shorts.  You know those undies that look like hot shorts or cheekies.  

 

Listen, you already feel so gross down there and you’re not sleeping and you’re hormonal and you may be in pain that anything you can do to make yourself feel better, do it.

And cute undies will definitely make you feel better.  So get to shopping girlfriend.

 

By the way, if you haven’t already, check out my blog post on PREGNANCY FASHION.  This is another thing that really helps you feel better and more confident during pregnancy.  I talked about a lot of great tips to dress and feel good during pregnancy.  Check it out here.

 

They also give you a spray, OMG, that spray was like my BFF for days.  Use it 😉  

When you leave the hospital, ask them to give you an extra bottle to take home.  I did, both times, but if you don’t ask, they don’t give it to you.

 

They also give you a little squirt bottle with water in it so that every time you go to the bathroom, you squirt it as you pee.  

Um yea, its getting graphic up in here, but better to talk about it now and be emotionally prepared.  

Let me tell you, it really does hurt.  

For some women more than others, it depends on if you tear or get episiotomy and how much you tear.  

But the water squirter is also your BFF.  

The whole thing is just gross.

 

Oh, did I tell you that you BLEED for days and days.  Its like having your heavy period days but for way longer.  I bleed the first time for about 5 weeks and the second for 2.  

But…  so yuk.  

Just embrace it, know its going to happen, be prepared with your cute undies, better fitting pads, squirt bottle and spray.

 

And don’t worry, remember, you’re getting a brand spankin new gucci cucci 😉

 

 

4.  The Hemorrhoids

People definitely don’t talk about this enough.

 

Most of the women I have spoken to that have had natural labors end up with these horrible things.

 

So again, just embrace it, know its happening and be prepared.

At the hospital they will give you  witch-hazel pads and medication.  

Every time you go to the bathroom, put both on…. the witch hazel pads and the medication.

 

And my recommendation is that before you go into labor, go to the pharmacy and get an extra pack of the witch-hazel pads.

 

Also, before you leave the hospital, ask your doctor to give you a prescription for the hemorrhoid cream.  

Its way better than all the over the counter stuff and this will save you time later and the extra phone call.  Tell him to give you a refill as well.

 

Get ready, were about to get graphic again…

 

So, you may be a little scared to go to the bathroom… between the stitches and the hemorrhoids, its a pretty scary task.  

 

Before you go into labor here is another thing to get at the pharmacy.  STOOL SOFTENER.

 

OMG, no one tells you about this, but it really helps.  This way you don’t have to push and it won’t hurt as much.

 

It’s important to talk about all these yukky things before hand so that not only are you emotionally prepared but also so that you can stock up on all this stuff and this is all stuff you can get weeks before your due date and just be prepared.

 

Listen, those first few weeks are really hard.  

 

You aren’t sleeping, you are extremely hormonal, you are in pain or not comfortable and the last thing you want is to have to run to the store or ask your hubby to.  You want him home helping you with the baby or things around the house.  Those little trips to the store will kill you lol.

 

So just grab a little note pad and make this list and go to the store a few weeks before your due date and get prepared.

 

 

Labor & Postpartum Kit

• Maxi Pads with Wings
• Witch-Hazel Pads
• Stool Softener
• Cute Boy Short or Cheeky Undies 

 

Ok, its over, all the uncomfortable talk is over.

 

But seriously, you will be glad we had this talk!

 

Now, keep enjoying your pregnancy.  

 

Tips To Help Make LABOR FASTER & RECOVER EASIER

By the way… you know what else can help you so much during labor?

Having the STRENGTH and ENDURANCE.

Many doctors and labor nurses are now saying how EXERCISE is helping moms have faster and easier labor and how much faster they recover.

 

So I want to share a video that I made talking about what the BEST KIND OF EXERCISES AND WORKOUTS are for helping speed and ease labor.

After working with pregnant women for over 10 years, I can tell you that I have seen this help thousands and thousands of women..

Just check this out….

 

 

 

 

I had the pleasure and blessing of having two amazing pregnancies.  

I do think the reason for being able to have energy, and not be so uncomfortable and have pretty fast labors is because of exercising and eating healthy.  

I did my Fit Mom-To-Be Workouts throughout both my pregnancies.  

I didn’t DIET by any means but I did make good choices most of the time.  It’s so easy to fall into the “Eating For 2” syndrome, and that just causes EXCESS WEIGHT GAIN, which in turn causes sickness, uncomfortableness, trouble during labor, lack of sleep and energy and it’s just a mess.  

 

By the way, I did write a great post on “Eating For 2 During Pregnancy” and I think it will help you tons.  So make sure to check that one out.

 

Sometimes, EXCESS WEIGHT during pregnancy, causes women to feel more uncomfortable, have more aches and pains, have less quality of sleep and feel fatigued all the time.  The excess weight can make you so uncomfortable that you can possibly not enjoy your pregnancy as much as you would if you could be more mobile and agile and feel more energized.

 

So I just want to encourage you to make the effort and exercise and eat healthy.

You don’t have to diet.  You just have to make good choices.  

 

Most doctors don’t educate pregnant women enough on pregnancy  nutrition and exercise and the impact it can have.  Its so frustrating.

 

 

 

 

Check out my postpartum pictures.

 

 

 

Listen, I know that you probably don’t have a lot of energy to spare and exercise seems too hard to do right now.

I get it.

But the thing is that EXERCISE will give you more ENERGY so you can even just feel better in your day to day.

So since I know energy and motivation is hard and its the first step to getting going with exercise so you can see the amazing benefits…. I made this quick post/video to help you get going.

 

TIPS TO GET MOTIVATED TO EXERCISE DURING PREGNANCY

 

 

If me talking about exercise and healthy eating is inspiring you to get active and exercise yourself during this very important time of your life, then here is a great Pregnancy Workout for you to try.  Full Body Pregnancy Workout, you can do it from home 🙂

It was workouts like this that I did from my Fit Mom-To-Be Workouts that helped me be able to lose all my baby weight so fast and actually get in the best shape of my life.  

I’m so serious, not even exaggerating a little.  I actually have ABS now, and I never ever ever had them like this before.  I totally credit the exercising and eating healthy for it during my pregnancy.

 

I’m telling you, its worth it…  Check me out months after my second baby.

 

 

 

Before you go, I want to show you one more thing I found one day in one of those pregnancy day by day apps during my second pregnancy…  This is crazy!

 

 

 

 

I hope you are inspired…

 

If you are not working your CORE during pregnancy, you totally should be unless you want to end up with a pooch postpartum for months and months.

 

Here is a post with 2 Safe AB Pregnancy Exercises you can do, theres a short video showing you how too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you start my pregnancy workout program, I will see you inside the program.  

I have lots of tips for you and I can’t wait for you to see all the videos of the exercises.

 

Send me YOUR BUMP PICTURES, would be great to compare with after you have your baby….

So you can see how fabulous you will look.  

 

I would also love to feature you and your beautiful bump.

Send them to michelle@michellemariefit.com

 

Click here to start the Fit Mom-To-Be Workout Program so you can have a really good, safe and effective pregnancy workout plan that you can do for the rest of your pregnancy.

 

 

If you are struggling with what to eat and different options that are SAFE for the baby and won’t make you GAIN WEIGHT, you will totally enjoy and get great use of the MMF Pregnancy Diet Plan.

1. Full Meal Plan for entire pregnancy (know exactly what nutrients you and baby need).
2. Increase energy & decrease fatigue with the best food combinations.
3. Easy Kid-Friendly Recipes that will save you time in the kitchen.
4. Helps reduce cravings so you eat healthier and gain less weight.
5. Yummy and comforting meals so you can still enjoy eating.

 

It’s not too late to SLOW DOWN & LESSEN your Pregnancy Weight Gain.

 

If you exercise, you will see a huge change.  

Less weight gain, not as fast and you will feel tighter, more fit, more energetic and less fatigue.

If you don’t want to spend 6-24 months postpartum losing your “BABY WEIGHT”, invest a little time, energy and possibly resources into your health and fitness this pregnancy.  It will be so worth it when you are back at your pre-pregnancy weight in less than 3 months and feeling like yourself again.

If you need guidance, support and a safe exercise plan, you will love my Fit Mom-To-Be Workout Program (tested by TENS OF THOUSANDS of pregnant women). 

 

 

And you can do it for your entire pregnancy (its not just a 12 week program).

Here is what you can expect:

• Less Weight Gain
• Less Stretch Marks and Cellulite
• Faster Labor & Delivery
• Faster Postpartum Weight Loss
• More Energy
• Less Aches & Pains
• Less Chances of Gestational Diabetes
• Better Sleep

 

What You Get:

• Monthly workouts that change every 4 weeks (which delivers the best results).
• No gym is required (2 versions available: home and gym).
• Exercise Videos & Pictures of every single exercise.
• Can view, access and download on any smart phone, tablet or computer.
• Private Facebook Group for support, community and questions answered by Michelle Marie.
• Monthly pregnancy nutrition tips to help you throughout your pregnancy.

 

 

To start your pregnancy workouts, click here:  Fit Mom-To-Be

 

Good luck with your pregnancy!

 

Your Pregnancy Coach,

 

Michelle Marie

 

Watch this short video, I think you will totally be able to relate and it will totally help you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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