7 Embarrassing Pregnancy Questions You’re afraid to Ask
Pregnancy is a new experience that brings many questions. Some questions you’ll openly ask your doctor, while others may feel a little bit embarrassing.
Remember that you’re not alone: Many women share your questions, worries and pregnancy side effects. You shouldn’t feel nervous to ask your doctor or midwife any pregnancy-related questions. But to minimize your nerves, here are the answers to 7 pregnancy questions you may feel too embarrassed to ask.
How can you tell if your water broke or if you just peed yourself?
It’s commonly reported that many women hurry to the emergency room after they experience a sudden rush of fluid. After they see the nurse, they’ve figured out they’ve only peed themselves. In movies, when a woman’s water breaks, there’s often a dramatic gush, but that isn’t always the case in real life. So, how can you tell if your water has actually broken? Here are a few tips:
- Stand up. If your water has broken, more fluid will leak out after you stand up. This is because it adds more pressure and can push the amniotic fluid out more. If you’ve just peed yourself, there will be fluid from your accident, but additional urine shouldn’t leak. You can stop the flow of urine, but you usually can’t stop the flow of amniotic fluid (it’s possible, although rare).
- What color is it? Amniotic fluid is clear, which indicates your water has broken. Urine can also be clear; however, if you wipe yourself and notice more of a yellow tone, you can trust that it’s not likely amniotic fluid.
- Does it have an odor? It may sound gross, but if it’s possible, try smelling the fluid. If it smells like urine, you have your answer. On the other hand, amniotic fluid is odorless.
- Labor happens shortly after. If your water has actually broken, you will feel intense contractions either immediately or shortly after. If you believe you’ve just peed yourself and have decided to wait it out, if hours have passed and you haven’t had any contractions, you can be assured that it wasn’t your water breaking.
- Go to the hospital. If you are still unsure whether or not your water has broken, head to the hospital. Since a nurse can easily tell if the fluid is urine or amniotic fluid, you will get your answer quickly.
I’m nervous about being naked in front of strangers during labor. Who will see me?
If you plan to give birth in a hospital, as soon as you arrive, you will change into a hospital gown. Alternatively, you can also choose to give birth naked. Some women find that wearing a gown during labor makes them feel constricted and overheated. It also makes skin to skin contact after birth easier. Whatever your choice, you must be uncovered from your waist and below. During this time, the nurses, doctors, your partner or whoever you have supporting you in the room will be able to see you.
If you give birth at home, only your midwife and the people you choose to have present during labor will see you naked.
Your healthcare team will likely recommend skin to skin contact after birth because there’s evidence it leads to a healthier baby. For skin to skin contact, you will remove your gown or untie the ties to exposure your breasts. At this time, the nurses and any visitors you choose to allow into the room will see your breasts. You can also tell the nurses that you wish to be covered during this time or say that you want visitors to wait until after you are finished skin to skin.
Being naked in front of strangers and family may seem nerve-racking now, especially if you consider yourself a modest person. However, most women say that during labor, that’s the last worry on their minds. You will be so focused on pushing, the pain and on your baby’s health to even think about your parts being exposed. Remember that the doctors, nurses and midwives have seen it all; they see births almost every day. They aren’t focused on your appearance; they are simply focused on delivering a healthy baby. There’s no need to be embarrassed!
Will I poop during labor?
When some women are pregnant, they are nervous they will accidentally poop during labor. But the truth is that it’s actually quite common and your nurse or midwife won’t be surprised at all. Here’s why: The muscles you use to push out your baby are the same muscles used in a bowel movement. You also have extra pressure on your colon and rectum as your baby is being pushed through the birth canal.
If you have a bowel movement before your final stage of labor, it could reduce your chances of an accident during labor. However, it’s not really preventable. Although some doctors still recommend enemas before labor, it’s now a discouraged practice.
If you do have a bowel movement during labor, your nurse or midwife will simply wipe it away, minimizing the chances of anyone else seeing it. If you’re nervous about it, just remember that your healthcare team is used to it and some even expect it. Since it happens so often, no one will give it a second thought.
Can I still shave or wax my bikini area during pregnancy? How should I groom the area before labor?
Whether you want to shave, wax or go natural during pregnancy is completely your decision. Whatever your choice, it will not affect the health of your baby. Many women find that the further they get into their pregnancy, the more impossible shaving seems because the area becomes hard to reach.
It is safe to continue waxing during pregnancy. However, because of hormonal changes and extra blood flowing through your skin, your skin may be more sensitive. This means that waxing may hurt more than usual.
If you choose to wax before labor, you shouldn’t do it in your last few days in case you get an infection. If you get a spa wax during the last weeks of pregnancy, it should last up until labor and cross one more thing off your to-do list.
Other women anticipate that the regrowth of the hair will cause irritation and itchiness during labor, so they opt to go all natural. However, you shouldn’t shave your pubic hair past 36 weeks. Research shows that it can increase the risk of infection should you need a C-section.
Since your healthcare team has seen it all, do what makes you feel the most comfortable.
Can I have sex during pregnancy? Will it hurt my baby?
Some expecting mothers worry that their baby will feel their partner during sex. However, all types of sex are generally considered safe during pregnancy. To protect your baby belly and make you feel more comfortable, certain positions may be better while you’re expecting. These positions include woman-on-top, spooning and doggystyle.
For some couples, intercourse is too difficult and they instead stick with foreplay, which is safe as well.
Will I Vomit in Public?
One of the most common side effects of pregnancy is morning sickness. Although there are some ways to minimize nausea, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to completely avoid it. Unfortunately, morning sickness doesn’t just happen when you’re at home, it can strike at work, while you’re shopping or out taking a walk.
Some pregnant women carry around bags in the event they do not have time to run to a washroom. Options include disposable diaper bags, vomit bags or bags specifically made for morning sickness. If you’re embarrassed about throwing up in public, you can alert those around you that you’re pregnant and experiencing morning sickness. More often than not, this will draw compassion instead of strange looks.
Why am I growing hair there?
The bad news: During pregnancy, it’s common to grow extra and thicker hair in new places such as your face, neck, back, breasts and stomach. The good news: It’s just temporary and after you give birth, your hair should go back to normal. Pregnancy hormones are to blame for this side effect, and during the postpartum period, you are likely to lose hair.
Instead of being embarrassed at the extra hair growth, look at the positives. These same hormones are likely to also give you luscious, healthy locks and make your nails grow longer and stronger.
If you’re too embarrassed to have your pregnancy questions answered, asking an anonymous source may be easier. To help, we have compiled a list of free anonymous pregnancy help sources, including hotlines, chats, emails, forums and more.
What questions are you too embarrassed to ask during pregnancy? Comment below and we will try to help! If you have any pregnant friends or family members, be sure to share this article with them, too!
P.S. The embarrassing moments of pregnancy are easily offset by all the beautiful moments. Our fetal dopplers create beautiful bonding experiences between babies and parents. These at-home devices allow you to hear your baby’s heartbeat while in the womb, similar to an ultrasound.
References:
https://www.everydayfamily.com/blog/did-your-water-break-9-things-you-need-to-know/
http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/labor-and-delivery/pooping-during-labor/
http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1105379/pooping-during-labor
https://www.babycenter.ca/x557907/is-it-safe-to-have-a-bikini-or-leg-wax-in-pregnancy
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pregnancy.html
https://www.babycenter.com/0_hair-and-nail-changes-during-pregnancy_1456563.bc