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What labour really is like: Serena Williams and other moms spill the beans

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Hollywood birth scenes would have us believe that we have a general idea of what to expect when it comes to childbirth. 

But ask any first-time mom and she'll tell you that other than how much it hurts these ‘representations of life’ are far, far removed from reality. 

Childbirth is also referred to as labour after all.  

Truth is, as beautiful, miraculous and life-changing as it is, childbirth can also be traumatising. 

As these moms revealed in their hilarious video, dropping all kinds of truth bombs about what moms-to-be can really expect when it comes to the before, during and after of birth:   

All jokes aside though, complications from giving birth can range from painful to life-threatening.

As shared by tennis champ Serena Williams, who recently opened up about her birth story with Vogue

The doting new mom, who also graces the cover with her adorable little baby Alexis, told the magazine that she had to endure an emergency c-section, followed by weeks of surgery and recovery. 

A post shared by Vogue (@voguemagazine) on

Watch the video for the full story: 


We have to applaud the champion athlete for being so open about the fact that, even for the G.O.A.T, motherhood can be one of the most challenging times in a woman's life. 

And although the experience is undoubtedly unique for every woman, with varying degrees of ease and difficulty, we think that most would agree that it's one of the most incredible moments of their lives. 

Did you know

Here are some interesting facts about childbirth:

  • Did you know that the hormone relaxin (present in both males and females) increases during the first trimester, causing the softening of the hip bones and pelvis which in turn allows for dilation during birth? 
  • Turns out, for a small (lucky) percentage of women, birth is actually pleasurable, with 0.03% of women experiencing an orgasm during labour according to a 2013 Austrailian study. 
  • In South Africa, 1 in 4 women give birth via cesarean section. 
  • In 2016, a UK-based mom gave birth in just 5 minutes! 
  • According to Stats SA, in 2013 141 maternal deaths were recorded for every 100 000 births. 

What was the most surprising/shocking thing about childbirth you wish someone had told you? Tell us by emailing to chatback@parent24.com and we could publish your letter. Do let us know if you'd like to stay anonymous.  

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