When pregnancy comes to a logical conclusion, every woman begins to experience worries about the upcoming birth. Even those women in labor who have already gone through this process and have children cannot escape certain fears and questions. Indeed, each time the birth takes place in its own way, and it is impossible to predict exactly how everything will be in this case. Therefore, from about the thirty-fourth week it is necessary to start attending courses for pregnant women, passing online seminars on this topic and studying other information posted on forums and various sites. In general, preparation for childbirth should take several weeks. What needs to be included in it is described in this article.
Let's talk about the birth process
The preparation of a pregnant woman for childbirth is not always given due attention. Most often, in all kinds of courses, women are told about the three stages of the birth process, they are taught breathing exercises and they try to reduce the level of fear among primiparas. However, in fact, many pregnant women note that they lacked information on how to properly respond to everything that happens to the body and control this process. After all, it is known that those women who take an active part in childbirth pass them more painlessly and have every chance of avoiding gaps.
Therefore, any process of preparation for childbirth should include several important points, which we will consider in the article:
- setting the date of delivery;
- signs of contractions;
- list of things needed for the maternity hospital ;
- need and possibility of pain relief;
- three stages of the birth process;
- the pros and cons of partner births;
- preparation of the cervix for childbirth;
- choice of courses for pregnant women and the hospital.
Of course, expectant mothers have a lot of questions regarding childbirth. They are embarrassed to ask many of them, and therefore experience nervousness and fears. This negatively affects their emotional state and is reflected in the baby. Sometimes such problems even slow down the onset of labor or prevent the process from occurring naturally. Therefore, every pregnant woman should take the preparation for childbirth very seriously and be sure to allocate time for this, even if she works until the last days of bearing the crumbs.
Date of birth: we calculate the exact day the baby is born
In the preparation for childbirth courses, specialists only briefly touch on the estimated date when the contractions can begin. But, in fact, this topic is of concern to most pregnant women. As practice shows, the real and estimated date of birth, often have significant differences. This causes a lot of fears in women, they are worried that the contractions may begin unexpectedly, they will not have time to get into the hospital and this will harm the baby. Therefore, future mothers begin to fall into two extremes: they insist on hospitalization in advance for several weeks or are so worried that they provoke premature birth in such a state. To avoid such problems, you need to clearly understand when to expect fights.
So, first of all, the expectant mother should know that the estimated date of birth , which was established by the obstetrician, and the ultrasound examination cannot be considered accurate. A very small percentage of women give birth at this time, but it allows you to navigate in the weeks and at the right time to be ready to leave for the maternity hospital.
In modern obstetrics, a full-term pregnancy is considered to be from the thirty-seventh to the forty-second week. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that this time interval is subjected to a certain classification:
- Early full-term. Children born in the period from the thirty-seventh to the thirty-eighth week and six days fall into this category. Toddlers are completely viable and ready to exist outside their mother. In their condition, they are no different from children who were born later.
- Full term. Most of the newborns delight their mothers with the appearance of thirty-nine to forty weeks and six days. This interval is considered classic and by this time a woman should be fully prepared for the upcoming process.
- Late full-term. If your baby decided to be born at forty-one weeks or forty-one weeks and six days, then do not worry. The baby didn’t linger at all inside you, he just waited in the wings, which is quite normal.
- Portability. At forty-two weeks, doctors usually diagnose overuse. But for this diagnosis, they conduct a lot of additional examinations to eliminate the error in setting the estimated date of delivery.
Based on the information received, preparation for childbirth should be fully completed by the thirty-sixth week. From this period, the pregnant woman should often be at home or in a circle of close people who will help her in the event of the onset of labor. A woman should carry with her all the documents necessary for admission to the hospital and a charged cell phone with enough cash on her balance sheet to contact her relatives.
It is also necessary to have a clear idea that preparation for childbirth consists in moral and informational preparation. In no courses should you be given any pills, advised infusions or decoctions for the speedy resolution of the burden. Such interference in natural processes is unacceptable and in almost a hundred percent of cases will lead to a tragic outcome.
What, first of all, is preparation for childbirth? What do women need to know by the thirty-sixth week? We will discuss this topic in the section on choosing courses for pregnant women.
We go to the hospital: discuss the harbingers
Information on how the birth takes place usually reassures women. After all, owning it, they accurately represent what they should expect and will be able to classify the problem if it arises.
So, childbirth should be expected in speed if you notice that it has become easier for you to breathe. This is due to the fact that the baby’s head falls into the pelvic region and the stomach, as if, is below the usual. This can happen two to three weeks before giving birth. Future mothers sometimes notice that their stomach fell literally a couple of days before the baby was born. In any case, this fact is the first harbinger of the upcoming birth.
In parallel, vaginal discharge increases. They may have a brownish or pinkish tint, often they are white. In this way, the mucous plug leaves, which throughout pregnancy prevented the penetration of any infections from the vagina into the uterus.
Often, a couple of weeks before birth, labor contractions become more frequent. They differ from the real ones in the absence of regularity and almost painlessness. When the position changes, the pain usually disappears and no longer occurs.
The harbingers of the upcoming birth include pulling and dull lower back pain, slight weight loss within two kilograms and a feeling of pressure in the pubic area. All of the above symptoms indicate that your family will soon replenish with a baby. However, you should not go to the maternity hospital with such signs, but the following characteristics should make you call the ambulance or your husband to go to the birth with him.
First of all, pay attention to spotting from the vagina and discharge of amniotic fluid. They can move away immediately or flow out gradually, but it is difficult to confuse them with something else. Amniotic fluid should have transparency, small white clumps of primordial grease are acceptable. But the greenish or brown color of the liquid is a danger signal. It means that meconium has got into amniotic fluid and the baby risks his life every minute. In this case, it is important to get under the supervision of doctors as soon as possible, warning them by telephone about their condition.
Regular fights also become a reason to immediately go to the hospital. They always go on increasing, gradually reducing intervals to ten minutes. If you notice that the pain is getting stronger, then it’s time to get ready for the hospital. However, before that, be sure to make an intimate haircut and a cleansing enema. Of course, the last procedure is also done in the hospital, but many women are embarrassed by strangers and prefer to carry out all the manipulations at home. It is noteworthy that in the preparation for childbirth courses, many experts say that you can refuse an enema. However, midwives always note that such a solution is fraught with problems during attempts. Since the baby, while passing through the birth canal, presses on the intestine, all its contents in the process can involuntarily go outside. Therefore, this delicate issue should be decided in favor of the enema.
We collect the bag in the hospital
Any woman who attended childbirth preparation courses knows what to take with her quite well. However, it should be borne in mind that the list of things must be checked with the one that is located in the hospital, where you plan to give birth. Each institution has the right to introduce certain restrictions, therefore, in this section we will provide a fairly generalized list of things needed in a hospital.
Naturally, the most important documents for pregnant women are documents. They need to be put in a separate file and always carried with you. You will need a passport, an exchange card, a medical insurance policy, a pension insurance card, a birth certificate and a service contract concluded with a medical institution. The last papers are needed if you have agreed on a paid birth.
For yourself, you should put in your bag washable slippers, a comfortable bathrobe, a pair of nightdresses or pajamas. After childbirth, women will need bra inserts, high absorbency pads, disposable underpants and body care cosmetics. Do not forget shower accessories, toothbrush and toothpaste.
Fold baby items in a separate bag. The baby will need diapers, several sets of clothes, cotton pads and sticks, dusting powder (at the discretion of the mother), socks, hat and mittens, anti-scratches on the handles.
Deciding on pain relief
All women dream of giving birth without pain. But, unfortunately, this natural process cannot take place without painful sensations. However, to date, there are a number of techniques that can reduce discomfort. They are divided into non-pharmacological and pharmacological.
The former are always talked in some detail at the birth preparation schools. These include massage of certain points on the body, hypnosis, meditation, self-hypnosis, acupuncture and others. Depending on your preferences, you can choose the most effective method of pain relief for you. However, keep in mind that it is necessary to practice it for several months, otherwise in a stressful situation you will forget about everything that you were taught in the courses.
There are a lot of pharmacological methods to anesthetize childbirth. But obstetricians and ordinary women often argue about them. Despite the fact that the influence of the drugs used on the body of the expectant mother and baby is well understood, it is believed that the introduction of drugs negatively affects labor. Doctors often write that the use of drugs that reduce sensitivity, causes various injuries and provokes numerous breaks during attempts. Therefore, in any case, the decision always remains with obstetricians who take birth. Only they can introduce you this or that drug, but if you refuse to insist, it’s still not worth it - the specialists are responsible for you and the health of the newborn.
How is the birth?
The expectant mother should be fully aware of what she has to do during the birth process. It is best for her to take an active part in everything that happens. This is the key to a successful resolution of the burden and successful cooperation with doctors. They claim that trained women behave more calmly and confidently. They carefully listen to midwives and follow all their recommendations. Therefore, we will consider all three stages of childbirth and talk about what will happen at each of them.
First step
The catch period is the first and longest. Women giving birth for the first time note that it lasts up to twelve hours. The next time this phase is reduced to seven to ten hours. During this time, the cervix opens and prepares to miss the baby. Preparation of the cervix for childbirth occurs gradually to exclude tears and other injuries. The slower this occurs, the greater the likelihood that the delivery will be successful. Contractions in the first stage are becoming more common. Initially, they last no more than twenty seconds and occur after fifteen minutes. As the neck opens, they go every minute and last up to sixty seconds.
Second phase
Attempts become the second stage of childbirth. Its duration depends on the physiological characteristics of the woman and how she will implement the recommendations of obstetricians. Keep in mind that a busy period can last up to two hours. However, all this time the baby will lack oxygen, and therefore it is necessary to help him come into the world. Attempts are an involuntary contraction of muscles that allows you to literally push the baby out. A woman can and should manage these abbreviations. At this stage, she needs to listen carefully to doctors and push or restrain herself when necessary.
This period does not end with the birth of a baby, because the female body must still tear off the placenta. This process usually lasts for thirty minutes, and the last doctor who comes out carefully examines so that there is not a single piece left that can lead to an inflammatory process and bleeding in the future.
Third stage
At the third stage of labor, the umbilical cord is cut, a woman is examined for gaps, and the baby is checked and manipulated. About two hours after birth, the mother spends under the supervision of doctors and with a dropper. If everything is in order, the woman will be transferred to another department, where a baby will be brought to her in a few hours.
The truth about partner birth
One can argue about their necessity endlessly, but if we are talking about preparing for childbirth, it is better for the pregnant woman to go through it with some kind of close person. It is proved that in a stressful situation, which, of course, is childbirth, the presence of a loved one is well influenced by a woman. In addition, a partner can not only help a woman in labor, but also partially control the actions of doctors. Unfortunately, they are not always professionals in their field, and the presence of an adequate person in the family hall can turn out to be crucial.
However, I want to note that you should not insist on a partnership with a husband if he does not want to. This decision must be voluntary and mutual, otherwise your man will experience serious stress and will not be able to help you. In such situations, you can take your mother, girlfriend or any other person you are sure of with you.
Getting ready for childbirth: what you need to do
Childbirth is not only serious emotional stress, but also physical stress on the body. If you are well prepared for it, then it is likely that everything will go well, and the recovery process will not take much time. An important role in resolving the burden is the preparation of the uterus for childbirth. You can learn about the techniques and exercises that contribute to this at pregnant courses. Usually a gymnastics complex combines yoga, Kegel exercises and stretching. However, do not do it at home. Remember that such physical activity should take place under the supervision of specialists. Otherwise, you may have premature birth. Preparation of the cervix is a long process. It takes at least three months.
If you are afraid of tears and care about the elasticity of the tissues, be sure to purchase oil to prepare for childbirth and massage the perineum with it. Starting with the thirty-sixth week, this is done daily. Typically, the procedure involves dipping your fingers in oil and slowly stretching the back of the vagina. The process can be accompanied by pressure and lasts about ten minutes. Judging by the reviews, women highly value Veleda oil for preparing for childbirth. It is sterile, softens tissues and increases their elasticity. “Veleda” oil (for preparation for childbirth) does not cause allergies and can later be used as a regular care product.
Choose courses and maternity hospital
Today, women can choose the institution in which they plan to give birth. Do not give up this opportunity and read reviews on the forums, visit the hospital and find out about its rules, as well as talk with doctors. It’s better if you already have familiar people to take birth. This provides a special level of emotional stability and gives a feeling of peace.
There are also quite a lot of courses for pregnant women. They have a different focus and accents, so the choice always remains with the woman. However, keep in mind that a good birth preparation school should include the following points in its program:
- breathing techniques;
- the study of the stages of childbirth;
- methods of anesthesia with massage and other methods;
- features of caring for a newborn;
- differences between normal and pathological birth.
It is important that information about the upcoming birth is as complete and useful as possible, then the pregnancy will end safely.