Labor Nurse Reveals Most 'Shocking Things' Grandmas Say in Delivery Room

A nurse has brought to light all of the startling things that grandmothers have said to their daughters during labor and delivery in a viral Instagram video.

The video shared by Sydney, a labor and delivery nursed based in Canada, had racked up 1.1 million views at the time of writing. Using the handle @nurse_sydney, she reveals the "most shocking things" she has heard while delivering babies.

Labor can be a terrifying experience for women so they often opt to have their partner, a close family member, or both, by their sides. There are many benefits to a childbirth companion as they are supposed to help provide emotional and physical support.

The 25-year-old told Newsweek: "It is very common for women to have their partner and their mother in the room with them."

However, some grandmas can't help but compare their daughter's birth to their own and it doesn't always ease the situation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states: "The companion should always try to be with the woman and praise and encourage her throughout the process."

But it seems words of encouragement aren't always given, according to Sydney. During the clip, she appears in her uniform at the beginning of the video, which has received over 34,200 likes, before transforming into the "grandma" persona. She is seen with her hair scraped back, glasses, and a brown sweater on. She then mimes the following quotes, which are layered over the clips:

• "We never had epidurals back in my day."
• "You're going to let them break your water? My water broke naturally with you."
• "Come see Grandma," immediately after the baby is born.
• "I wasn't that loud when I was delivering you."
• "A c-section is not an option, no."

Sydney, who has four years experience, told Newsweek: "These comments are not helpful for the expecting mom to hear. It is not helpful for them to hear comments about someone else's birth experience when they are currently going through the experience themselves. It is important to be a good listener during this time and support the birthing person with whatever they need.

"If the comments are not helpful, I will kindly explain that birth is very individualized, and it is the birthing person's right to do whatever she desires. I will also emphasize the importance of supporting whatever decisions the women makes while in labor and delivery."

The statements have infuriated Instagram users, who flocked to the comments section.

One user wrote: "Grandma's don't need to be there in the first place."

"The only reason grandma is in there is for moral support. If she's not providing moral support and instead making passive aggressive comments, she's getting kicked out. I've had a few comments from my family about being IN the delivery room when I give birth and the way that that will never happen is hilarious to me," said another user.

A third commenter said: "The worst is 'MY baby' as if they just gave birth."

Update 03/07/24 at 4:31 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the OP, Sydney.

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