7 Things About Labour You will Love

Labour. The word can evoke both fear and awe.

You may feel a mix of emotions if you are expecting, or even just thinking about it. We’ve heard all the dramatic stories: the screaming and pushing, long hours and pain. It’s a fact that labour can be intense, unpredictable and overwhelming. What if we told you that, buried within the whirlwind contractions and chaos, is a surprising amount of good? 7 Things About Labour You Will Love.

Yes, really.

Labour is not just about pain or perseverance. You’ll also experience power, presence and, yes, some unexpected perks. There are some silver linings to childbirth, even though no one says it’s easy. Imagine it as the light in the storm.

Here are seven of the best things you can do to make your labour a success.

1. Nothing is off limits (and nobody will judge you) : 7 Things About Labour You will Love

Let’s begin with something liberating.

It is rare to have a life experience where the rules of conduct just… vanish. One of those experiences is labour. You can scream like Darth Vader or go silent. It’s okay to stomp on the floor, swear at someone, shave your legs, scream, scream, cry, go completely silent, or throw away your birth plan.

Nobody’s judging. It’s expected.

It is during labour that you can let go of social expectations, decorum and shame. It’s not uncommon for your body to poop or pass gas during contraction. It’s not embarrassing, it’s just biology at work. What’s the best part? It’s done by a professional team that is used to it. They will clean it without blinking.

In our over-curated, image-obsessed world, this total freedom of expression can be rare. So embrace it. You don’t have to be “put together” or perform. You only need to be.

2. It’s like climbing Everest.

Some things in life will earn you instant respect from everyone. Climbing Mount Everest would be one. Another is running a marathon. What about giving birth? Giving birth is right up there, and possibly even higher.

The physical and emotional effort required to work is extraordinary. You are stretching and shifting your body to give birth. No matter whether it is a water birth without drugs, a long, medicated labour or a planned Cesarean, the process will be similar. It’s no small matter to bring a new human into this world.

This will be recognised by others. People will recognise this. Sometimes with flowers, other times with tears, and sometimes just that wide-eyed expression of wonder. It could be a silent nod or newfound admiration from your partner. You’ve now joined an elite group.

If you need to get things in perspective on a bad day, what can you do? Remember: You created a person. The rest is trivial. 

3. You are the undisputed VIP

Let’s talk royal treatment

When you are in labour, everything revolves around your needs. Everyone in the room, from the midwife to the birth partner to your doula, is there to support both you as well as the baby. You are the star of the show.

Do you want someone to rub your shoulders? Done. Do you want to have a drink of juice or bite into your

Favourite granola? Someone will likely rush to get it. You need a lavender oil and rainforest sounds playlist now. It’s on. It’s okay to be loud and unapologetically vocal about your needs during work.

If you’ve been eyeing a post-birth treat, such as a piece of jewellery or a nap for a while, or an extra slice of cake, this is the time to mention it casually. Use the sympathy and generosity of others toward people who are giving birth to their children.

You deserve to receive care.

4. Your labour story is yours forever

There are no two identical births. Even if the woman is pregnant again, her labour can be very different. This uniqueness makes your experience special.

Your work may have been quick and efficient. It could have been long and difficult. It may have ended differently than you expected. Whatever happened, whether it was beautiful or traumatic, empowering or all three, it’s YOUR story. No one can steal that away from you.

It will be with you forever. Some parts will fade. Some parts will fade. It becomes part of your identity – a milestone, memory, or chapter that has shaped you in ways that you are still discovering.

Your story can inspire others, whether you share it on blogs, in coffee dates or even just during late-night conversations with other mothers. It might even empower YOU when you need to remind yourself of your strength.

5. The Perfect Reason to Hire a Babysitter

You have got a child at home or more? Your golden ticket for guilt-free childcare is to work.

Everyone becomes more available when you say, “I am in labour.” Even that cousin who doesn’t reply to text messages will help. Everyone is ready to help.

What if the alarm turns out to have been a false one? No one cares. You still got a quiet moment, maybe even a nap. It’s a win for everyone. Your toddler gets to spend some extra time with Auntie or Grandma.

Everyone knows that you need space, support and time to concentrate when you are at work. Make the most of it.

6. There is an endpoint (Promise!)

It may seem that labour is never-ending. It’s especially difficult during the early morning hours when contractions are increasing but still not close enough for you to go to the hospital. It can feel like time is standing still.

Labour always ends.

It could take hours. It could take hours. There is a conclusion. When it happens, it is a transformative experience. All that pain, pushing, and pressure have a purpose, which culminates with the birth of your child.

Even knowing that you’re close to the finish line can bring comfort in times of stress. This pain is not like a cold or an injury that lingers. It has a specific and life-changing outcome. Once it’s done, you will be amazed at all you have accomplished.

7. The result: A whole new life

The most amazing thing about labour is not the snacks, support or strong sense of yourself. The person that you bring into this world is the most incredible thing about labour.

There they are. After all the sweat, tears, shouting and pushing. Your baby. Your world. Your world.

The first moment is surreal. After the storm, there is a hush. The first cry. First time they are placed on your chest. It’s a new beginning, whether you’re overwhelmed with love, shocked, or just too tired to process it.

You might want to try it again one day, despite everything.

Final Thoughts – Finding Power in Pain

It’s ok to be afraid of labour. It’s fine to fear it, to worry about it, and to cry. This doesn’t make a person weak; it makes them human.

It’s okay to also find beauty in it. Strength. Pride. Even joy.

While labour can be physically and emotionally intense, it is also the moment when you cross over a threshold. From pregnancy to parenthood. From waiting to holding. From imagining to knowing.

Take advantage of all that labour has to offer: the freedom, the attention and the badge of honour, as well as the baby.

You can do it.