Labour and Birth - The Truth!

The Truth About Labour and Delivery: The Bits No One Tells You (But Probably Should)
From a Newborn Photographer – Tunbridge Wells, Kent but also a mum of three.

Let’s be honest – when it comes to labour, there are plenty of stories floating around. Some are filled with serene music, candlelight and birthing pools. Others sound more like a scene from a horror film. But what about the in-between bits? The downright funny, awkward, or just plain unexpected moments that no one seems to talk about? The reality.

As a newborn photographer based in Tunbridge Wells, I spend a lot of time chatting with new mums – often when they’re running on zero sleep, still in a bit of a post-baby haze, and wondering what just happened. So I thought I’d share a few honest, light-hearted truths about labour and birth, straight from the real world (and definitely not the glossy baby books).


1. Am I in Labour?

Despite what we see on the tv, not all labours start with a dramatic water-breaking moment. Some start with a slight backache. Others feel a bit like period pains. You might spend a good few hours Googling “is this it?” and texting your mate who’s had three kids, just to be sure.

And when it does really kick in? You will know.

2. Modesty? What Modesty?

You may head into hospital with a carefully packed bag of nice pyjamas and matching lip balm. But somewhere between contractions, examinations and positions you didn’t know your body could manage, modesty tends to go out the window. By the end, you might find yourself starkers, legs akimbo in a room full of strangers without batting an eyelid.

It’s all part of the magic, right?


3. Things Get Noisy – And Not Just From You

Labour wards are lively places. You might hear someone else giving it their all in the next room, while your birth partner crunches crisps a little too loudly. You might even find yourself saying things you never thought you’d say out loud- especially if you go hard on the gas and air!

It’s messy, human, and full of moments you’ll laugh about later.

4. The First Time You Hold Your Baby…

Everyone tells you that the moment you hold your baby, you’ll feel instant, overwhelming love. And sometimes, that’s exactly what happens. But not always. Some parents feel a bit shell-shocked, others are so exhausted they can barely keep their eyes open. And that’s completely normal.

The love comes – sometimes gradually, sometimes in a wave – and it’s yours either way.


5. Your Body is Incredible (And a Bit Weird)

After giving birth, your body feels like it’s been through a marathon, a boxing match, and a rollercoaster – all at once. There’s bleeding (more than you thought), strange twinges, and your tummy might make the oddest noises. And let’s not even start on your first post-baby wee and poop.…

But you’ve just grown and birthed a whole human. That’s pretty incredible. YOU are incredible!
Labour and delivery aren’t always picture-perfect. But they are powerful, personal, and often hilariously real. And in the end, you’ll come out the other side with the biggest adventure of your life just beginning.



Once the whirlwind of labour has passed and you’re holding your tiny new human in your arms, life starts to slow down – a bit. This is where I come in.

As a specialist newborn photographer in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, I work with new families to capture those fleeting early days in a calm, cosy, and baby-led environment. I know how overwhelming those first few weeks can be (you’re still trying to remember what sleep feels like), so my sessions are gentle, relaxed, and never rushed.

Whether you had a birth full of gas and air giggles, or one that went off-script, your story deserves to be celebrated – and your baby deserves beautiful, timeless photos you’ll treasure forever.



Ready to capture your baby’s first chapter?
Get in touch to book your newborn photography session in Tunbridge Wells – I’d love to hear your story.