Five lesser-known labour facts for first-time, end-of-term mums

OK, so you're very almost there; you've gone through nausea, leg cramps, headaches, and sore… well, sore everything. 

Yes, once you hit that magic eight-month mark, you know that the end is very much in sight. Hurrah!

And while you also probably feel the days drag a bit as you edge towards your due date, if you're a first-time mum five often-forgotten facts about labour are now worth considering…

1. Don't forget to mind your mind:

It doesn't matter how it happens – epidural, c-section, home-birth – you're doing something that is both incredible AND overwhelming at the same time. You've never done it before either. In the run-up to the big day, it's easy to get overly focused on the ouch-factor, but looking after yourself psychologically is vital too.

Plenty of mums swear by mindfulness and meditation in the run-up to your due-date – use a book, app, or recording. Those techniques come in handy once labour kicks off. Just remember to breathe – always breathe.

2. Don't get too focused on 'the plan':

You've spent weeks and weeks reading up everything and anything. But when the big day comes, you'll still be diving into the unknown. That's OK. And while preparation throughout your pregnancy is important, giving birth is far from an exact science. So prepare to roll with the punches – focusing only on the healthy arrival of your little one rather than on the specifics of how they're going to get here.

3. First-time labour is usually looooong:

Waters-breaking in public; the last-minute dash to the hospital; the baby being born in the carpark… yeah, it probably won't happen like that. At all. In fact, first-time births are notoriously long. The more likely scenario is heavy cramping around your due date, followed by gradually deciding to go to the hospital – where upon arrival it will be confirmed if you're actually in labour or not. In a nutshell, there will probably be plenty of 'hanging around' involved. 

4. Your partner should stand up for you

You'll be, ahem, busy during labour. And your partner will need to be your voice of reason. Whether it's insisting on pain relief, or cutting the cord, or asking a medical professional to check something twice, they shouldn't be afraid to make themselves – and you – heard. 

5. The whole experience is surreal 

For some women, the whole experience is pretty amazing and they relish (almost) every moment. For most others, it's all just a bit of a blur. Afterwards, a lot of new-mums are shell-shocked – because labour is a roller-coaster ride. Whatever happens though, congratulate yourself. You're amazing.