Try not to freak out while pushing that baby, because it will only lengthen the duration of that excruciating experience. According to a new study, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, nervous pregnant women spend on average at least 90 minutes longer during labor.

The findings come from researchers at the University of Oslo, who asked 2,206 women who were 32 weeks pregnant to take a psychological test which worked out their fear of childbirth. The researchers said the fear releases adrenaline, stopping the muscles in their womb from properly contracting and pushing out the baby.

Besides that, women who were worried during the birthing process were also less likely to communicate with midwives about problems, so any assistance they may have needed was delayed. They were more likely to need an epidural or a caesarean. It's stuff like this that makes you want to cross your legs and just never have sex again.

via Daily Mail