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Find out the most important things that a woman approaching childbirth should know. Don't be unprepared. Here's a short "Childbirth Chest" - here you will find our advice and answers to the most important questions. Always check back here when you want to remember or check something.

When does labor start?

Cramps. Already 3-4 weeks before the birth you will experience irregularabdominal contractions (especially in the evening) - this is the uterine's reaction to stretching. They are the so-called predictive contractions.

Signs of labor beginning are frequent and regular uterine contractions, leading to dilatation of the cervix.

It is good to know how to distinguish them from the actual labor contractions in order to go to the hospital on time. So if you suspect abdominal and lower abdominal pains may be the beginning of labor, start measuring the length and frequency of contractions - these are regular, more frequent and longer. A good way to be sure of the type of contractions is to take a bath: pour warm water into the tub and step in for 20-30 minutes; if your contractions weaken - it is not yet the birth, and if they get worse - slowly get ready to go to the hospital. Go there when the contractions are strong enough to prevent you from talking. Other trailers forchildbirth . Increasing contractions are the surest and most reliable sign of impending delivery. During this time, usually (but not always!) Other symptoms also appear: abdominal lowering, departure of the mucus plug (thick mucus, often stained with blood), diarrhea, chills, loss of amniotic fluid. Before going to the hospital, you can do an enema at home - then you will not have to do it in the hospital (it is not obligatory anymore and you can refuse it, but then you have to take into account the possibility of defecation in the delivery room).

What to take to the hospital? When is it worth packing a hospital bag

The bag should be packed 2-3 weeks before the due date, and only the last items should be added before departure: documents (pregnancy card, ID card, insurance book, recent test results), bottle of mineral water, cosmetics, mobile phone ( and charger).

If you are giving birth for the first time, you should be in the hospital when your contractions repeat every 5 minutes.

The most important things for a child are: clothes (body, rompers, hat),a towel, new born disposable nappies and bedspreads. In addition: soap, butt cream and alcohol for the care of the navel (plus sterile gauze pads). Your minimum is: 2-3 night shirts (slit at the front), large, absorbent pads, a few pairs of panties, bras, a bathrobe, socks, shower flip-flops, towels as well as cosmetics and hygiene products (soap, paste, intimate gel, creams, etc. .). For your own comfort, you can take something that will make your stay in the delivery room a little more pleasant (e.g. audio equipment, CDs, massage oil). Other things, such as a feeding pillow, a sitting wheel, a breast pump, nursing pads or some cosmetics, your husband can bring you after giving birth.

Find out what 5 mistakes it is better not to make in the delivery room [TOWIDEO]

Family childbirth

In Poland, the majority of women still give birth without a loved one by their side. In some hospitals, one general birthing room is an obstacle (in this case other delivering women have to agree to family birth). But if there is a possibility of a family birth, it is worth taking advantage of it.

Your childbirth can be watched by students only if you agree to it.

The presence of a loved one - husband, mother or friend - is really invaluable. Having someone who is loved and kind will make you feel much more comfortable and safe. This translates into tangible benefits: family births are often faster and less painful! Anyway, the husband (or someone else) can actually contribute to reducing the pain, for example by doing a back massage or supporting the woman in labor in the most comfortable position for her. And if it turns out that the experience will be too difficult (for him or you), he can leave the room at any time.

Contractions during labor

When contractions become more frequent and stronger and the cervix begins to dilate - there is no turning back: labor has started and will only end with the birth of the baby.

Performing the perineal incision depends on the elasticity of the perineal tissues and the course of the delivery.

It may take several, several or even several dozen hours. When you come to the hospital your contractions will probably ease due to the stress. Childbirth is divided into three periods. The first is until the cervix is ​​fully dilated, which is 10 cm, then comes the pressure period as the baby is pushed out, and the third period is the expulsion of the placenta. The first stage is the longest and most painful: each contraction is longer and stronger than the previous one, and the intervals between them become shorter and shorter. Try to be active - walk, crouch, roll your hips, use the equipment in the room. Every now and thentime the midwife measures the size of the dilation by inserting her fingers into the cervix. If the dilution does not progress, they will give you oxytocin (through a drip). After it, unfortunately, the contractions are more painful. Another way to stimulate contraction action is to smear the neck with prostaglandin gel or massage it manually. The most difficult stage of labor is when the dilation is 7-8 cm. Then most women experience a crisis: they are tired, exhausted, they have the impression that it will never end. Fortunately, the urge to push comes relatively quickly. Now the pain is relegated to the background (most women feel parte contractions as a relief), the most important thing is hard work. The baby will be in the world soon!

Pressing during labor

Ideally, it shouldn't last too long - ideally, you should push your baby out during 3-5 contractions. In order for the pressure to go smoothly, three things are important: proper position, flexible crotch and good cooperation with the midwife .Therefore, think about whether it is worth paying to have a good midwife with you (if you are sure that it is), because a lot depends on it, e.g. the position in which you can push.

You have the right to demand that you give birth in a position that is more comfortable for you.

It's good to push in a vertical position - it has been scientifically proven that then the push is easier and faster: it lasts an average of 25 minutes! It is obvious, because the woman in labor is helped by the force of gravity. In addition, the contractions are less painful and the child is better oxygenated. However, in many hospitals you have to give birth while lying down because it is more convenient for the staff. The recumbent position has been in place for years and often midwives simply cannot deliver the baby differently. But if you have a choice, try pushing:

  • standing (leaning against her husband or against the wall)
  • in a crouching position - it's good for someone behind you to support you under your armpits; you can also grab onto the ladders (if any)
  • on your knees - by leaning on your arms in the front or resting your arms on your husband. Keep your legs wide apart - it will widen the birth canal. A good midwife should also take care not to incise the perineum. He can, for example, massage them, direct the pressure so that the head rolls out gradually and evenly compresses the tissues.

Baby condition monitoring

Today it is difficult to imagine a delivery without CTG, i.e. testing the fetal heart rate. The first CTG will be performed as soon as you are admitted to the hospital.

During a caesarean section, an epidural is given.

You will be asked to lie down on a couch and expose your belly to which the midwife or doctor will fasten two belts withheads. With the help of these probes adjacent to the abdomen, the CTG apparatus records the contractile activity of the uterus and the heart rate of the fetus. On this basis, the condition of the child is assessed. The test lasts 20-30 minutes and is not painful, but it is related to immobilization, which is inconvenient for the mother in the later stages of labor. Monitoring should be done every now and then as needed, and not throughout the entire delivery, but practice is different in some hospitals. However, do not allow yourself to be "attached" to the bed, as constant monitoring while lying down increases the risk of complications. Fortunately, more and more hospitals have equipment that allows CTGs to be performed without the patient being immobilized.

Breathing during labor

Conscious, skilful breathing has undeniable advantages: it oxygenates the body and improves blood circulation, and most of all it helps to get rid of muscle tension. It is especially important during the first stage of labor when breathing becomes irregular and shallow due to pain. It is difficult to learn proper breathing techniques from books - you will learn them best and practice them in childbirth school, they can be really useful. Sometimes, however, the ability to breathe, practiced "dry" to perfection, during actual contractions fly out of the head or - according to the woman in labor - does not work at all. However, it is worth remembering at least as much as:

Induced labor is an artificial induction of labor.

  • In the first period, inhale the air deeply through the nose, engaging the diaphragm, and then long, consciously exhale it through the mouth - exhale should be twice as long as inhalation; you can help yourself by saying: "I breathe energy, I breathe out the pain"
  • at the end of period I, breathe shallowly and a little faster, keeping a steady pace
  • just before pushing (when you feel the urge to push, but it's too early for that): blow the air gently, as if you were putting out a candle or blowing smoke from a cigarette
  • in the pressure phase: take a deep breath at the beginning and end of each contraction; Don't hold your breath as it makes the pain worse.

Natural remedies for labor pains

Some women feel it more, others less so, so some only need natural pain relief, while for others it doesn't help much.

Obstetric forceps are used when prolonged labor is a threat to the mother and baby.

However, it is always worth starting with non-pharmacological methods. The most effective of them are massage and bathing (more and more delivery centers have it). For the massage, the presence of an accompanying person is enough - ask her to massage and pressure the area during the contractionlumbosacral (it is worth having an oil that will soften rubbing against the skin). Immersing yourself in warm water will make you feel lighter and relaxed, as well as improve circulation and increase the secretion of endorphins (happiness hormones). If the hospital does not have a bathtub, take a shower and use a jet of water to massage your stomach or back. Some people in labor are also helped by: special breathing, warm or cold compresses, making sounds (screaming, groaning), listening to their favorite music or aromatherapy.

Anesthesia in childbirth

When natural methods do not bring relief, you can ask for anesthesia. Labor is anesthetized in two ways: by giving an injection of dolargan (or other narcotic drug) or by giving an epidural. Dolargan is injected intramuscularly or intravenously, it can be given up to 3 hours before the end of labor. It hates pain, but it reduces it.

You must ask for an epidural. This is an additional benefit.

However, it can cause unpleasant side effects in the pregnant woman: drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and it also penetrates into the baby's blood. Epidural anesthesia (zzo) consists in injecting the drug into the so-called the epidural space in your spine where the nerves that carry pain from the uterus run. They can be used at almost every stage of labor, although in practice they are most often performed when the dilation is 3-4 cm. It takes the pain almost completely, but it allows you to move, walk and then push. Of these two types of anesthesia, we strongly recommend the latter - it is more effective, causes fewer side effects in the woman in labor, and does not adversely affect the child. It may extend the time of pushing a bit, but it should not matter much, because both mother and baby are usually in better shape than after giving birth without anesthesia. The only big drawback is that you usually have to pay for it. The availability of an epidural varies from hospital to hospital - find out what it looks like in advance where you are going to have your baby.

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Childbirth