10 of the most amazing FACTS about childbirth

It’s one of the most momentous occasions you go through, but childbirth is actually INCREDIBLE and empowering.

Here are some interesting facts about giving birth – the female body is amazing!

10 wonderful fact about birth

1. C-section surgery cuts through 7 layers of tissue

It’s a pretty major operation and mums are still expected to be able to stand up six hours later and take care of another person!

2. New mums labour for around 6.5 hours

This is the average length of time for new mums and for those who have given birth already, the average time is one to two hours less.

3. 1 in 10 mother’s water breaks before labour begins

It’s not like the movies! The majority of the time, waters break just before you push.

4. A full term pregnant uterus is the strongest muscle in the body

When the uterus has grown to the size of a watermelon to accomodate the developed foetus, it becomes the strongest muscle in the body.

5. The uterus does 80% of the work pushing

If a person was unconscious and in labour, the uterus would amazingly be able to push the bar out without additional effort from the mum pushing.

6. Skin to skin contact after birth helps regulate the baby’s temperature

It also helps regulate the mother and baby’s hormones.

7. En-caul births happen in less than 1 in 80,000 births

 

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An en-caul birth is when the baby comes out still inside an intact amniotic sac.

8. Your uterus is 15 times heavier than its pre-pregnancy size

It will begin to contract after delivery but you may still look pregnant for a while after giving birth.

9. 80% of mums are teary after birth

It’s down to hormones leaving your body after birth and your body has got through some pretty momentous changes. If the feelings persist though, you should seek medical help.

10. 74% of first-time mums give birth vaginally

via GIPHY

And 83% of these give birth in a bed, 35% in stirrups and 9% in water.

We’ve really learnt just how AMAZING the human body is…. It really is incredible!