For most pregnant women, especially those giving birth for the first time, contractions and childbirth are the most frightening moments of pregnancy. On this topic, expectant young mothers receive a stream of horrifying information from friends, acquaintances and neighbors.
However, you cannot prepare for childbirth using someone else's experiences and memories. The anxiety of the pregnant woman will be significantly reduced if she knows and clearly understands the whole process of childbirth. A woman has 9 months to prepare for childbirth and subsequently take an active part in choosing the conditions for the birth of her child.
Doctors conditionally divide the whole process of childbirth into three phases. In the first phase, the cervix expands and flattens so that the fetus passing through it does not damage it. The second phase represents the immediate birth of the child, and in the third, final phase, the placenta leaves.
1. The first phase: expansion and smoothing of the cervix
In order for labor to begin and the baby can pass through the cervix, it must change its shape: when the upper part of the uterus contracts, there is tension upward towards the baby's head, its neck and lower part. For women giving birth for the first time, this process takes about 8 hours, for women who have already given birth, it takes 4-5 hours. By the time the uterus finally changes its shape, contractions last about 40 to 90 seconds and occur every 3-5 minutes.
A mucous plug falls out, which closed the opening in the cervix throughout pregnancy, and the cervix begins to open so that the child can freely pass: the child's head is shown at the exit. At this time, the amnion around the fetal head is torn by the head itself, or by the intervention of a doctor, a little amniotic fluid flows out. The baby's head is approximately 10 cm in diameter and the cervix should expand to that size. More frequent and strong contractions occur precisely at the time of the opening of the cervix and by the time of full disclosure, the contractions last 60-90 seconds, every 2-3 minutes. For women giving birth for the first time, the process of cervical dilatation can take 3-5 hours, for the rest - much less.
The position of the woman in labor for the first phase: at this stage, the woman has nothing to actively participate in. It is recommended to sit, leaning on pillows, lying on your side. During the transition to the second phase of labor, you can take any position in which it will be easier, but you do not need to lie flat on your back.
Breathing exercises. At the very beginning of contractions, deep belly breathing helps to relax. As soon as the contractions begin to intensify and the abdomen hardens, the woman in labor can use deep chest breathing and breathe in the usual way between contractions:
- in the early stages of contractions - deep breathing throughout the chest during contractions;
- for the middle stage of contractions - shallow and rapid breathing during the contraction.
2. Second phase: childbirth
The transition and the beginning of the second phase characterizes the moment when a feeling of pressure arises in the lower pelvic region, back pain, dizziness and leg cramps may appear. At such moments, the tension increases, and it is extremely important for a woman to remember the breathing exercises she has learned.
At this stage of the immediate transition to labor, the woman in labor needs to use shallow rapid breathing during the contraction, holding the breath during its peak.
Contractions continue, their frequency and intensity increase, and the time between them has decreased significantly. A woman in labor may have a desire to bend over, begin to push, as with constipation. However, it is not safe to do this until the cervix has completely expanded, otherwise it can be damaged.
With the final expansion of the cervix (the doctor will inform about this), you can begin to push the child out of yourself. Here it is important for a woman in labor to remember about pushing breathing: a woman breathes often, quickly and shallowly, and only at the moment of a contraction bends down, pushing the baby out, pushes, holding her breath.
Within 5–40 minutes, the baby passes from the uterus into the vagina and is born. If there is a danger that the child may tear the perineum, the doctor can make an episiotomy: an incision from the vagina to the anus, which is sutured after childbirth. After an episiotomy, a woman cannot sit for a while, experience physical stress, and wear heavy things.
The child begins to go out on its side and first (with the correct position), the head appears rotationally, then the shoulders and the rest of the body. The contractions of the uterus force the child to move forward.
The second phase of labor ends with the arrival of the baby. For women who have not given birth before, it lasts about an hour, for those with children - much less, sometimes - several minutes.
In a newborn baby, the nose and mouth are cleared of mucus and held upside down so that mucus comes out of the lungs. When oxygen is circulating in the lungs, the child's body turns from bluish color to pink. Immediately, or a little later, the umbilical cord is squeezed and cut.
The position of the body during childbirth, a woman can choose herself and change it in the process. For many, it is convenient to push, while holding themselves by the legs and pulling them to the stomach.
3. The third phase: exit of the placenta
The placenta leaves within 30 minutes after the birth of the baby: the uterus contracts and expands during childbirth, and the placenta is unable to do this and therefore easily detaches from the uterus. After the placenta is released, the doctor checks it, not allowing tissue particles to remain inside the uterus and lead to bleeding and the development of infection.
After giving birth, for about 10 days, a bloody fluid is constantly released from the vagina: the uterus and the place where the placenta was is cleansed. With breastfeeding, menstruation resumes after about 24 weeks, and ovulation begins at 20 weeks. If the woman does not breastfeed, menstruation resumes after 6-10 weeks. 6 weeks after delivery, the uterus and genitals return to their previous size.
Childbirth ... most expectant mothers panic at this one word. And all thanks to the numerous "girlfriends" and completely unnecessary creepy movie frames. But the devil is not so terrible as he is painted. You just need to know what to prepare for and how to behave in this or that situation, keeping your head cold. So, what is the preparation for childbirth?
Forewarned is forearmed. First, put out of your head everything you think you know about childbirth. What is shown in the films is wrong. What your acquaintances tell you is either exaggerated or happened due to the fact that they were not prepared. But you will prepare yourself, which means that this will not happen to you!
It is not at all necessary that you will give birth for 15 hours and endure hellish pains, which then turn into ruptures. Did you know that a small percentage of women are able to orgasm during childbirth? If you set yourself up for the best, then 50% of the job is already done. Remember, our thoughts are material.
Let's start with the fact that childbirth, like pregnancy, is an absolutely natural process. In the wild, it is carried out without external control, and humans are also originally part of the wild. 365 thousand babies are born in the world every day. You are not the first, you are not the last!
Preparing for childbirth: signing up for a fitness club
This step should be done as early as possible, but only after your doctor has given the go-ahead for it. Of course, we are not talking about a gym (although someone does), but only about special exercises for pregnant women and swimming in the pool. During labor, certain muscles are tense, and if they are not trained, then pains, breaks, and long subsequent recovery are possible.
In gymnastics, you will be taught to do special Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. With them, they will gain elasticity, thanks to which they will calmly stretch during childbirth, and then quickly recover. The exercises are quite simple, you can safely do them at home every day before bed, for example. By the way, if you train these muscles regularly, your husband will definitely appreciate it!
Swimming in the pool is an excellent breathing exercise for both mother and her baby. Therefore, it is so important to swim correctly, diving and holding your breath. This is direct preparation for childbirth! The baby gets used to the temporary lack of oxygen supply, so this fact will not scare him during labor. Of course, such training should be carried out under the guidance of an experienced instructor, at least at the beginning.
Preparing for childbirth: choosing a maternity hospital
The second step can be done as soon as you go on maternity leave - you need to choose a place where you and your baby will see each other for the first time! Will it be a maternity hospital at the place of residence, or some other. Whether you are having a contract birth or a casual birth. Or maybe there is some golden doctor you would like to see? Start collecting information from your pregnancy doctor. Go to the forum, ask your friends for advice. The determining factors in the choice will be your personal wishes and material capabilities.
Not all Russian cities have such a service as contract delivery. Not all cities of Russia have civilian maternity hospitals with polite and courteous staff. Be prepared for this initially! And try to understand them: you just need to compare what flow of women in labor passes through them every day and how much they get for it. And every mommy asks the same questions. And if different people come up to you every day and ask the same thing, what would you like to answer after a month of such a routine? We smile, do not be rude, we accept everything as it is. In the end, you will not stay in the hospital, and you have something more important than all negative emotions put together - a little bundle of happiness!
Preparing for childbirth: choosing a ward
Find out in advance if there are joint wards in the maternity hospital of your choice. In an ordinary state maternity hospital there are general wards in which there are N number of newly-made mothers. With a large admission, women even lie in the corridor. Their newborn babies lie with them on the floor in the pediatrics department, where they are looked after: swaddled, changed diapers, fed with formula. By the hour they bring mothers to breastfeed them. But it's free! However, there are disadvantages of such a stay: these are the conditions, and the absence of a baby nearby, and breastfeeding only by the hour, and this does not contribute to milk production.
What is a joint chamber and why is it good? Good wards are paid, the cost per day is about 1000-1500 rubles. (depends on the region). Double or quadruple, with their own shower and toilet and a good renovation. You stay in such a ward with your child from the first day of his life. Yes, sleepless nights! But in any case, they will be the first time, is there any point in the three days of delay? This is where the cons end. If this is your first baby, where else can you learn to study with him in a joint ward? Under the supervision of the whole department of pediatrics! They will bring you a baby, show you how to swaddle, tell you everything, everything, just prepare a list of questions for them. Where, if not in the hospital, you can ask the question "Why is he crying?" go to qualified doctors, and not rush around the apartment in a bustle? In addition, when the baby is around, you can apply it to your breast as much as you like. And this, by the way, also needs to be learned! Of course, what kind of stay in the hospital to choose is up to you and only you! If you want to finally rest, sleep enough, why not?
Preparation for childbirth: sign up for childbirth preparation courses
This is a highly desirable step especially for those who are expecting their first baby. There you are in the company of like-minded people with a period approximately the same as yours, you will find out what is the essence of the process of generic activity. They will tell you about the precursors of childbirth, about the process of childbirth itself, about how to prepare the uterus and intimate area, how to overcome contractions and not be afraid to give birth.
Harbingers of childbirth
The first thing you will learn in these courses is what are the harbingers of childbirth. In other words, by what signs can one determine that childbirth will begin soon.
- Recurrent pain occurs about a month before the birth of a baby.
- Lowering the abdomen. There is no exact time limit for how much before childbirth the belly should go down. In about 2 weeks, but for everyone this process is purely individual. The belly descends as the baby descends into the pelvic area, preparing to be born soon. In order to detect a lowering of the abdomen up to the day, try the following simple trick. Go to the mirror, straighten up. Pay attention to where the navel touches the mirror. Stick a piece of tape in this place, and every day, going to the mirror, note whether the sticker remains at the same level relative to the navel. In addition to lowering the abdomen, a tingling sensation in the pubic area is possible, associated with a constant increase in the pressure of the presenting part of the fetus.
- False contractions. They all start at different times, or they may not start at all. Many grab things and fly to the hospital with a bullet, confusing false contractions with true ones. And at the same time, it is very easy to distinguish one from the other: time the duration of the contractions and the break between them. When true, the duration of the contraction increases, the interval between contractions is reduced. If false, these two indicators are absolutely chaotic. In this case, try taking a warm, relaxing shower or bath.
- A slight decrease in weight is possible in the last month of pregnancy by 1-2 kg. due to loss of appetite and possible gastrointestinal disturbance: the body seeks to get rid of everything unnecessary before giving birth.
- Discharge of the mucous plug, which reliably protected the baby from the moment of conception and until about 38 weeks of gestation. It can come out in parts over several days, or it can come out all at once. It can be compared to a jellyfish in consistency, it is transparent, sometimes with red and brown streaks. Do not mix it up!
- Nesting Syndrome. Quite a subjective trait, rooted in wildlife and animal instincts. On the eve of childbirth, a woman is attacked by the desire to check everything and recheck, whether everything has been bought, whether everything has been prepared. In a word, she builds a nest for herself!
Three stages of labor
The first is the disclosure period
The first period is divided into three stages: latent, active and deceleration phase.
- The latent phase lasts 5-7 hours, the opening of the uterus at the end is 4 cm. Do not rush, at the first contractions calmly gather, you can go to the shower to wash, even sleep a little to gain strength. It is advisable to have a snack with some light food - it is not known when next time. When the interval between contractions is 10 minutes, it's time to go to the hospital (unless your doctor prescribes otherwise).
- The active phase lasts up to 3 hours, the opening of the uterus at the end is 8 cm. The contractions are getting stronger, the interval between them is reduced to 4 minutes. If in the latent phase the amniotic bladder did not burst and the water did not leave, then this can happen now.
- In the deceleration phase, which lasts up to 1.5 hours, the uterus opens by 10 cm. The intensity of the contractions is weakening, you cannot push now!
Such a scenario is very, very exemplary, all childbirth can proceed in their own way. It is also possible that the water began to leak before the contractions, or there was a premature rupture of the bubble. Change your clothes quietly, call an ambulance and wait calmly for her in a horizontal position.
Contractions will increase both in frequency and in intensity, the courses will definitely tell you how to overcome them, what to do at this moment. There are different breathing techniques ("dog", "horse" ...) designed to help. Before, women were forced to experience lying contractions, but in the modern world you can do anything - crawl, dance, swing on a fitball (they are in many maternity hospitals) - if only it helps you. Any of these actions with the use of breathing tactics will surely help you calmly survive the fight.
The second is the period of exile
Delivery itself. It does not last as long as the first period - only 1-2 hours. Contractions come every 2-3 minutes, and with them the attempts - reflex contractions of the abdominal press, pelvic floor muscles, diaphragm. Now you need to clearly listen to the instructions of the midwives and push only when they tell you! No matter how much one would like, this cannot be done without a command to avoid breaks. But as soon as the command has sounded ... Push! Push for strength! Even if it will be very difficult, remember that it is much harder for the baby inside of you ... And worse! He just can't cope without you. Moreover, endure for a very short time, a little more and you will see it! When he is born, ask him to immediately attach to the chest. And he is so calmer after the stress experienced, and a signal will sound in your body about the speedy milk production,
Third period - postpartum
Separation of the umbilical cord and delivery of the placenta, lasting a short period, maximum 30 minutes. After the baby is born, it will go away quickly and easily. It happens that doctors are forced to cut the perineum a little when the child is very large, for example. If this took place, then all the incisions are sutured, the newly-made mother is put ice on the lower abdomen.
Childbirth by caesarean section
Sometimes it happens that independent childbirth for some reason is impossible. It can be an abnormal presentation of the fetus, scars on the uterus left by old operations, multiple pregnancies ... Caesarean can be chosen without indications, but does it make sense? Only after passing through the birth canal, the baby will receive her mother's antibodies and will be better protected from external influences in the first days.
But if you can't do without surgery, then don't worry. One light prick in the lumbar region, and you will no longer feel anything below the chest. And it's not scary, it's ... Exciting! There will be a screen between you and the doctors, therefore, of course, you will not see all the horrors. But when the shadow of your newborn baby falls on the screen and you hear his cry ... You will be full of energy to experience these emotions to the fullest! The operation takes about half an hour, the scar will not be visible, and it will heal pretty soon. The postoperative period is already quite difficult. The anesthesia will gradually cease to work, and you will feel everything that has been done to you in these 30 minutes. And the scar, of course, can ache, but the hardest thing is to withstand the drip, which is given to everyone to contract the uterus. This is approximately akin to labor pains, except that the woman is bedridden and can only endure. However, it is not so long to endure: if you were cured in the morning, then by the evening of the same day a formidable nurse will come to you and your neighbors and literally put you on your feet. The main thing is to take a prenatal (aka postpartum) bandage with you, then you will start walking confidently almost immediately. And the next day you can already be poisoned in a common ward, or even a joint stay.
Preparing the uterus for childbirth
Pregnancy is an event carefully planned by Mother Nature. And the uterus itself perfectly prepares for childbirth throughout pregnancy. In the third trimester, her muscle tissue is replaced by collagen fibers, thanks to which she gains elasticity and the ability to stretch. According to these parameters, doctors determine the "maturity of the uterus and its cervix" optimal at 39 weeks of gestation. But she is not always mature and ready for labor, sometimes help is needed to avoid ruptures and a long subsequent recovery period.
Then doctors are forced to prescribe drugs and procedures that stimulate the maturation of the uterus. Antispasmodics are prescribed when immaturity is caused by strong muscle tension - for example, No-shpu or Papaverine. In some cases, they even resort to cervical massage or nipple stimulation under the strict guidance of the medical staff.
Preparation of the cervix for childbirth is possible without medical intervention. For example, sex is usually prohibited in the last weeks of pregnancy. But the doctor can advise it in case of immaturity of the uterus due to the high content of prostaglandins in the semen. But be careful, because although all the necessary muscles of the perineum are trained thanks to orgasm, it is also able to provoke labor.
If we talk about folk methods, then wild rose infusions, a decoction of strawberries or dried raspberry leaves are widespread. But you should also be careful with these drinks: not everyone needs to stimulate the ripening of the cervix, therefore even such seemingly safe drinks should be drunk only as directed by a doctor.
Occasionally, your doctor may advise you to take evening primrose oil. Due to the high content of fatty acids, the same prostaglandins are produced in the woman's body. And this, as we already know, has a beneficial effect on the maturation of the uterus and cervix.
The Kegel exercises we talked about earlier are great for preparing your pelvic floor muscles. The main thing is to do them regularly, and the result will not be long in coming.
Preparing the intimate area for childbirth
Birth preparation oil helps prevent unwanted tears and improves the elasticity of the vaginal tissues, supporting muscles and perineal skin. One of the most popular products known on the Russian market is Weleda oil for childbirth preparation. On its official website, the massage technique is described in detail, both independently and with the involvement of a partner.
Preparation for childbirth: psychological preparation
Even if the child is very desirable and planned, childbirth scares expectant mothers. Not only the process itself is terrible, but also what will happen after them - this is a new life, in which it is no longer possible to take a step back. These changes are forever!
Try to think less about the upcoming changes anyway, at least in a negative way. The kid feels everything, remember this. Think about your new life in a joyful light or do not think at all, go about your current affairs - good, you have enough of them now. Make the most of your rest and sleep, indulge your whims in moderation. Take a walk, take care of yourself, your hobbies ... Yes, anything, enjoy life while you have so much free time! Yes, very soon you will have a little crumb, and there won't be much time. But remember, it will not always be small, usually only the first year is difficult, and if you can organize your daily routine correctly, then even 1-3 months. After all, this is quite a bit. And a child is for life, very soon he will pull his little arms to you, hug you tightly and say: "Mom, I love you!" If this is not the meaning of life, then what is it?
Preparing for childbirth: collecting things at the hospital
You have already decided on childbirth, you know everything or almost everything about childbirth, you are not at all afraid to give birth. There is very little left before the birth of the long-awaited baby, it is time to collect things in the hospital. Usually, the list hangs directly at the institution, in each they may differ slightly.
- Most importantly, do not forget the documents for registration such as passport, SNILS, exchange card, policy, generic certificate and exchange card.
- For yourself, you will need to take a change of shoes, a pair of nightgowns (it is better to take them for breastfeeding right away), slippers and slates, hygiene items ... A book, a bottle of water, a light snack. If you take a joint room, then there is usually a separate refrigerator, its own toilet and shower, but you will not get there immediately. First, the birth department, and with a cesarean section, an operating room, then a day in the intensive care unit. Therefore, you do not need to take things with you right away, ask your loved ones to bring them when you are transferred. You will also need postoperative pads, disposable panties (for convenience), disposable diapers - they are needed for doctor's examinations. Ready-made kits for women in childbirth are now being sold, which have all the necessary components, but they come out more expensive than you will type separately.
- Disposable diapers are also useful for the child (do not take a lot, in fact they are used repeatedly, and 1-2 is enough for you at all), a small package of diapers (count about 7-8 pieces per day), and someone from let your loved ones bring you closer to business along with your clothes. If you are planning to take a shared room, you may also need a dummy and baby clothes if desired. In the maternity hospital, children are swaddled so that they lie like soldiers. Now there are active debates whether it is harmful or not. Many mothers are against swaddling in general, if you are against it, take the clothes that you bought for the baby. If for - do not take anything, there are plenty of diapers.
The above is the main component of the list of any maternity hospital, they usually ask to bring it in the most ordinary packages, that is, they do not accept any bags at all! You can study in more detail on the website or within the walls of your chosen maternity hospital. Also, study the list of prohibited items, so that later you do not ask loved ones to bring something that the formidable nurse will immediately wrap up.
Now a few words about what is not in the lists of maternity hospitals, but will definitely be useful to you.
- Breast pump. Better to take it right away, especially if you have chosen a split stay. It may not be useful. Or it may be that milk will come unexpectedly, in large quantities, and at night, when the nearest feeding is still far away. Expressing it in this case is imperative to avoid breast inflammation. It is very difficult and time-consuming to do it with your hands, because a breast pump is indispensable in this matter!
- Nipple cream to heal cracks. Breastfeeding is not an easy process, both you and your baby need to learn. Breast cracks will be common at first, but breastfeeding can be torture if left untreated.
- Breast pads - as protection against milk leakage or from the same layer of cream for healing cracks.
- Bandage. There are prenatal bandages on sale that can be easily used after childbirth. They are especially useful after a cesarean section, you can easily move around the next day after the operation. By the way, if you wear it constantly, at least for the first month, then the tummy will be drawn in faster.
- Powder, diaper cream - in case of a joint stay. It may not be useful, but it is better that it was.
- A book, a tablet and other entertainment, if you are not taking a joint room, where there will not be a minute of free time.
Preparation for childbirth: reviews
Definitely, it is necessary to prepare for childbirth. Do not neglect courses for pregnant women, even if you have had a planned cesarean section. There you will gather a lot of useful information not only about childbirth, but also about life after birth. You will do useful breathing exercises, gymnastics, you will meditate to calm music, feeling an ever-strengthening connection with your baby. Nobody regretted that they went to these courses and went to the hospital armed to the teeth! The main thing is to choose them correctly - the Internet and word of mouth will help you.
But who came to childbirth unprepared ... In a word, this is how rumors and fears are born! So you need to prepare for childbirth, not only by reading articles on the Internet, but also by going to gymnastics and courses! Be sure, if you tune in correctly, then you will remember the moment of meeting your baby with a smile.
Preparing for childbirth: video
Pregnancy in the life of every woman is undoubtedly a great happiness. However, many expectant mothers often worry about how the birth will go, especially the first. Proper preparation and knowledge of the birth process will help women in labor overcome fear and effectively cope with the difficult task that faces them on the day of birth.
As a rule, normal childbirth occurs according to the date (from 37 full weeks to 42). In nulliparous women, the average duration of labor is 13-16 hours. The next times everything goes faster: about 7-12 hours. However, in each case, this is an individual term.
In childbirth, there are 3 periods: disclosure (regular contractions), expulsion (attempts and birth of a baby), birth of the placenta.
A few days, and sometimes weeks before the birth of the child, the expectant mother may notice changes in her health - the harbingers of childbirth. The reason for this is the hormones that are produced in her body during the entire period of gestation. A pregnant woman may experience "stretching" of the lower abdomen, frequent urge to urinate. Insomnia and some weight loss are possible. It is worth noting that such precursors may be absent.
The most common intrauterine position of the baby is head down (cephalic presentation), but the baby can also be positioned with the legs "forward" (breech presentation). Sometimes a caesarean section is performed with a breech presentation of the child, but there are exceptions. As a rule, the doctor decides this question in advance and warns the woman.
First stage of labor
Directly first stage of labor begins with regular contractions (lasting 5-10 minutes), the meaning of which is to open the cervix. Feelings with them are quite individual. Some women may experience "tremors" in the lower back, then in the abdomen. Also, the sensation of "stretching" can occur in the uterus, as well as in the lower abdomen.
The first period (opening) is quite long: 8-12 hours. In this period, the latent and active phases are distinguished. The first (latent phase) is characterized by short-term regular contractions at significant intervals. The opening of the cervix in this phase is slow: in 4-5 hours it opens by 4 cm. Further, the contractions become more intense, the uterus begins to open faster - the active phase of the 1st period starts. All this time, the doctor keeps under control the nature of the contractions, monitors the condition of the woman in labor.
Second stage of labor
In second period the cervix opens completely (10-12 cm). The amniotic fluid leaves painlessly. Attempts are added to intense contractions (the muscles of the press and pelvic floor begin to contract, which causes an intolerable desire to push). Contractions during the period of pushing become shorter: 30-35 seconds.
As the cervix opens, nothing holds the baby's head, and the baby begins to slowly move along the birth canal. During the second period, the woman in labor should follow the instructions of the obstetrician and monitor breathing. At this stage, breathing exercises are very important, which expectant mothers study during classes in preparation for childbirth.
The eruption of the child's head occurs (becomes visible during the attempt). After some time, the midwife retrieves the entire newborn. Usually the 2nd period lasts about an hour, but it may take a little longer. It all depends on the strength of the "expulsion", the size and location of the baby. When the baby, after being born, takes a breath for the first time and makes the first cry, the 2nd period ends.
Third stage of labor
Followed by third stage of labor (sequential) - the shortest. After birth, the baby is placed on the mother's chest, then the inflammation of the eye membrane is prevented, weighed, measured and put the first Apgar score.
The uterus contracts rapidly and the placenta is born. The sequential period lasts from 10 to 30 minutes. The doctor monitors the mother, her condition. If necessary, the woman is injected with medicine to better contract the uterus. Further, the young mother is examined and transferred to the postpartum department with the baby.
Preparation for childbirth in the medical center "Vdohnovenie"
It is worth noting a few more points: as soon as the expectant mother suggested that childbirth has already begun, then she should not take food. A comfortable posture of a woman during the first and second periods is also important: it is allowed to squat, walk a little and kneel.
For more information on how to behave at one time or another in order to facilitate their course, you can find out by going through
In order for the expectant mother to feel like a full participant in the process in the birth ward, she needs to prepare in advance for childbirth - both theoretically and practically. Modern medicine has developed methods with which a woman herself can contribute to the successful course of childbirth. So, what you need to know about the birthing process in order to feel confident, and also to ease the pain that mothers who give birth for the first time often fear?
During pregnancy, there are many things that need to be done in a timely manner, for example, passing all the required tests, regularly visiting a doctor, getting an exchange card, preparing a nursery and a dowry. All these actions are absolutely correct and logical, they tune in to the upcoming decisive event - the birth of a child. But in order to pass this test with dignity and with the least losses for yourself and your baby, you first need to know and understand what awaits you at the "x" hour. The hope that doctors themselves know everything is fair - doctors really know everything, but without the assistance of the woman in labor and the meaningful implementation of all recommendations during childbirth, their focus on a successful outcome of childbirth will be inhibited, which sometimes, in critical cases, can be very important.
Estimated due date
This is one of the most essential questions, especially if you do not intend to go to the hospital in advance. It is important to arrive there on time, without harming yourself or your child by being late. What is needed for this?
First of all, to know the expected date of birth, taking into account the fact that it is absolutely impossible to determine it absolutely precisely, only with fluctuations of several days (weeks), therefore, you should not consider the date set by the doctor as the ultimate truth and wait for its exact implementation. What can be assumed based on objective data?
Pregnancy lasts an average of 280 days (40 weeks) from the first day of your last menstrual period. If you count from this date three months ago and then add seven days, this will be the approximate due date. For example: the last menstrual period was on December 10, therefore, the birth can be expected on September 17.
It is advisable to remember the day of the first movement of the fetus. Primiparous women feel it in the middle of pregnancy (20 weeks), and those giving birth a second and third time a little earlier (18 weeks).
The most accurate date of birth can be talked about if the gestational age is set. It can be determined by a doctor by the size of the uterus. With sufficient reliability, you can determine the duration of pregnancy and, consequently, childbirth according to the ultrasound examination of the fetus. Childbirth that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature, and after 42 weeks - belated.
The duration of full-term pregnancy ranges from 37 full weeks (259 days) to 42 weeks (294 days). From the 38th week of pregnancy, birth can be expected every day.
By this time, it is worth forming your position regarding partner childbirth, so that, with mutual agreement, the partner also has time to prepare for the event.
When is it time to get ready for the hospital and what to take with you?
Each childbirth is unique in its own way: their onset may be different for different women, and the experience of girlfriends giving birth will only partially help. Therefore, you need to know the harbingers of the onset of labor:
a pregnant woman feels that it has become easier for her to breathe; this is due to the fact that the head of the fetus sank lower and pressed tightly against the entrance to the pelvis; usually they say that the stomach has dropped;
the amount of vaginal discharge increases, they can turn brown or pink;
separate contractions of the uterus appear - "training" contractions, irregular, short and quickly passing;
mild, dull, quickly disappearing pains often occur in the lumbar region;
there is a slight loss of body weight.
When these harbingers appear, you should prepare for a trip to the maternity hospital. It is possible that you will have to wait. The interval between the appearance of precursors and childbirth can be several days or 2-3 weeks.
The main thing that is characteristic of labor pains is their regularity, repetition first every 15-20 minutes, then more and more often, longer and stronger. In contrast, false contractions usually have an irregular rhythm, do not intensify, and may stop if the body position is changed.
If at least one of these signs of the onset of labor is present, this means that labor has begun and it is time to go to the hospital.
Before the trip, you can shave your crotch yourself and do an enema, or leave this procedure to the admission department of the maternity hospital.
By the time you leave for the maternity hospital, the collected bag should already be ready, taking into account what it is allowed to take to that particular maternity hospital in which you are going to give birth (accordingly, this must be found out in advance). Otherwise, you run the risk of being left without the necessary things in the hospital.
Signs of the onset of labor, in which you need to urgently go to the hospital:
The appearance of spotting from the vagina.
Outpouring of amniotic fluid - they can be poured out drop by drop or about 200 ml at once. Normally, the waters are light or slightly pinkish, without an admixture of bright blood, white lumps of the primordial lubricant of the fetus can be seen in them. However, the waters can be green or brown, due to the ingress of the original feces - meconium. It is imperative to inform the doctor about this, since meconium in the waters indicates fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen). After pouring out the water, you must immediately go to the maternity hospital, since a long anhydrous interval is fraught with the danger of infection of the fetus and the mother's birth canal.
Regular labor pains.
Pain relief during labor
Those who are especially afraid of labor pain, which are legendary, should learn more about pain relief in advance.
Currently, all existing methods of pain relief in childbirth are conditionally divided into two groups:
Methods of non-drug exposure.
These include: psychoprophylactic preparation of pregnant women for childbirth, hypnosis and suggestion, acupuncture (using injections of metal needles at specific points), transcutaneous electrical stimulation of nerves, self-massage.
Methods of pharmacological action.
The effect of painkillers on the body of a woman and a child is well studied, as are the possible unwanted side effects. Anesthesia with pharmacological agents begins in the first stage of labor in the presence of regular strong contractions and the opening of the uterine pharynx by 3-4 cm. This can also include epidural anesthesia, which is carried out according to medical indications, in some cases - at the request of the woman. With this method of anesthesia, a special needle is inserted into the space above the dura mater that covers the spinal cord, and the drug is injected there. With this method of anesthesia, the woman does not feel contractions, and the lower limbs also lose pain sensitivity.
After examining the issue in detail and deciding on pain relief, be sure to discuss the chosen method with your doctor before labor begins. The decisive word in the choice of methods of pain relief should remain with the doctor - this is an axiom.
If you are a principled opponent of drug pain relief, you can, for example, agree with your doctor that you will give birth without pain relievers, but if during childbirth you still feel that you need pain relief, you can tell the doctor about it.
How is labor going?
Knowing what periods the childbirth process is divided into and how to behave at this time will help the mother to better cooperate with doctors, the result of which will be the birth of a healthy child and the absence of birth trauma.
There are three stages of labor: dilatation of the cervix, expulsion of the fetus and the subsequent period.
The opening period is the longest in labor. It lasts about 9-10 hours in nulliparous women and 6-7 hours in multiparous women. The duration of contractions during this period increases from 10-20 seconds to 1.5 minutes, and the interval between them decreases from 10-15 minutes to 1 minute.
The purpose of the first stage of labor is the gradual dilatation of the cervix. It occurs under the influence of regular contractions. When the cervix is \u200b\u200bcompletely open, the fetal head can sink into the pelvic cavity.
What can mom do at this stage?
Learn to relieve pain by taking a comfortable position for yourself, and properly endure the contraction, relaxing after it. For this, there are special relaxation techniques that must be learned in advance.
You should definitely know about the main poses in which the contractions are easier to tolerate: an upright position, lying on your side, lying on your back, postures using a special ball. Both your husband and you can help by making an anesthetic massage (and having previously learned this). To relieve the pain of contractions at this stage, you must also know how to breathe during contractions.
Expulsion of the fetus is the second stage of labor.
The duration of this period is on average 1-2 hours in primiparous women and less than an hour in multiparous women.
When the head of the fetus falls to the pelvic floor, attempts are made to join the contractions. Attempts are contractions of the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm (the muscle septum that separates the chest and abdomen). The average duration of the push is about a minute. Thanks to attempts, intra-abdominal pressure increases, which, coupled with an increase in intrauterine pressure (due to contractions), allows the child to move along the birth canal. Attempts occur involuntarily, but, unlike contractions, a woman can control them, strengthening or restraining if necessary.
To avoid rupture of the soft tissues as the baby passes through the birth canal, the doctor may make an incision in the perineum (episiotomy), which will then be sutured after the placenta is born (with pain relief). Episiotomy is a common operation during childbirth, and you should be prepared for it in advance. Moreover, evenly cut tissues grow together faster and better than uneven edges after tears.
The cry of a child immediately after birth is a good reaction to a new external environment for him. But labor is not over yet - the baby is still connected to the mother by the umbilical cord, and the placenta is in the uterine cavity.
What can mom do at this stage? Listen carefully to the doctor and midwife, as unauthorized actions can harm both mother and baby.
Correctly regulate attempts (having previously learned this). During the period of fetal expulsion, it is necessary to alternate muscle tension at the moment of an attempt and complete relaxation between attempts - this is taught by special techniques, the study of which must be devoted time in advance in order to bring the skill to automatism.
Correct breathing, which is necessary during the entire period of childbirth, does not lose its relevance during attempts. Firstly, at this moment, the fetus suffers from a lack of oxygen more than ever. Secondly, it helps to conserve strength and push more effectively. I must say that proper breathing helps to avoid breaks, making it possible to stop the pushing, if it is still impossible to push.
The third, successive, period lasts on average 5-10 minutes, but can drag on up to 30 minutes.
At this time, the umbilical cord is crossed - today doctors often entrust this simple but symbolic manipulation to the father present at the birth. When the umbilical cord is cut, neither the mother nor the child will feel pain, since there are no pain receptors in the umbilical cord.
After birth, the doctor and midwife will receive the child and carry out all the necessary procedures: processing, weighing, measuring, examining.
On the handle, the child is put on a plate on which the surname, name and patronymic of the mother, the year, day and hour of the child's birth, and also his gender are indicated.
Weak contractions continue, which separate the placenta from the walls of the uterus, and then with one or two light attempts the afterbirth is born. Only after this can the birth be considered complete.
First contact with the baby and latching on to the breast
Today it is customary to do it in the delivery room, immediately after the birth of the child. When exactly - it depends, firstly, on the traditions of the given maternity hospital, and secondly, on the condition of the newborn. The child can be placed on the mother's breast with the umbilical cord not yet cut, immediately after birth, or even after the birth of the placenta. Both options are normal. If the newborn or mom has health problems, this procedure may be postponed.
Where and with whom?
During the first stage of labor, the woman is in the prenatal ward. When the cervix is \u200b\u200bopen enough, the expectant mother is transferred to the delivery room, where she spends the second and third stages of labor on a chair or on a special bed.
After giving birth, a woman (she is now called not a parturient woman, but a parturient woman) for another two hours is in the maternity ward under the close supervision of medical personnel, who monitors her condition and the amount of bloody discharge from the genital tract. At this time, the soft birth canal is examined and, if there are ruptures, sutures are applied with preliminary anesthesia. Ice is placed on the abdomen - for better contraction of the uterine muscles. After the examination, the woman is transferred to the postpartum department.
Where can I get information about childbirth?
If the mother is taught how to take care of the baby in the maternity hospital, where they will also help to establish breastfeeding, then the theory and practice of childbirth should be studied in advance, since the same breathing techniques or anesthetic massage require the formation of certain skills so that in extreme conditions not to get confused and do everything in the best possible way ... You can practice these skills in preparatory courses for childbirth. You can do it yourself, guided by the recommendations of magazines and books for expectant mothers and "rehearsing" at home with your husband or girlfriend.