Sense to Save: Other Blog

So, a naked pregnant lady walks into a hospital…

At my Bradley childbirth class earlier this week, our instructor talked about the first stage of labor.

There are distinct things that happen during the first stage, second stage, transition, and pushing stage.

During one of the stages, a preggo mama might lose her sense of modesty. She’s so focused on other things that she just doesn’t care. Or, being covered might be extremely uncomfortable — maybe she feels too hot, too itchy or weighed down.

Our instructor related one story to us:

A mom-to-be was in labor and jumped in the shower at home so the warm water would soothe her. Her husband helped her for awhile, but recognized that her labor was progressing and that they needed to head over to the hospital.

He fetched her robe, but she didn’t want to put it on.

He tried a towel. Nope, that felt terrible around her.

How ’bout a bedsheet? No thanks!

The mama walked out of her house, fresh from the shower, and got into her car. Naked.

Her husband drove her to the hospital, as she sat there in labor — naked.

She got out, and walked her hugely pregnant, naked body straight into the hospital.

The triage nurse took one look at her and said, “Oh honey, you’re gunna have that baby now!”

And she had her baby within 20 minutes of arrival.

OH MY GOSH!!!!!

OK — so we can learn a few things.

First, if the pregnant lady just wants to be buck naked, she might be in a later stage of labor than you thought. I don’t think all of ‘em want to be without clothes, but who knows?

Second, if you walk into triage without wearing any clothes, you’re going to get immediate attention. No “wait here while we prepare your room” or any of that nonsense. No ma’am — you’re going to get plenty of people over to your side right away.

And third, you just can’t know how labor will treat ya. I’m sure this woman had absolutely no intention of being naked in front of so many people. But, when you’re in that state, who knows what could happen?

I made Shane promise me he wouldn’t let me walk outside or into a hospital without being at least somewhat decently covered. I think it helps that it’ll be WINTER and for pete’s sake, I don’t think my crazy laboring self would want me to get frostbite, no matter how out of it I might be.