The period of pregnancy and childbirth is a serious test for a woman, not only physically, but also psychological aspect. Throughout the entire 9 months, she copes with various ailments, often visits the doctor, and at the same time she must not forget about her family. As labor approaches, a woman begins to worry about a new stage in her life. This time must be spent with benefit both for yourself and for the unborn child. We’ll look at how to prepare your body for childbirth in this article!

How to properly prepare for childbirth

Anxiety and fear accompanies almost every woman throughout pregnancy and to a greater extent during pregnancy. later. This phenomenon is normal, especially for those who are going to become mothers for the first time. Even though childbirth is a natural process, it is very complex and responsible. To make it as safe as possible for both the woman and the baby, it is necessary to carefully prepare for it.

Preparing for childbirth consists of several parts, which are equally important both for the proper course of pregnancy and for the upcoming birth process. Future mom must know how each stage occurs, the correct response to them, as well as the consequences of any reactions. Therefore, a woman needs to prepare for childbirth, both physically and psychologically, and also learn breathing techniques.

Psychological preparation for childbirth

Usually the most difficult time for a woman is expecting her first child. During this period, the expectant mother feels psychological discomfort. It manifests itself as follows:

• Instability of the emotional background associated with hormonal changes in the body.
• Revision of life values. This is due to the psychological processes of expectation of a new status and responsibility for the baby.
• Fears and phobias associated with childbirth. Expectant mothers are afraid of pain during labor, the unprofessionalism of medical personnel, ignorance of caring for a newborn, and other issues.

Some of a woman’s experiences are justified, but some of them arise from excessive suspiciousness. To maintain psychological balance, a pregnant woman should learn to identify real reasons for fear from the total number of worries. This is precisely why preliminary psychological preparation for childbirth is needed.

Will help you cope with psychological problems preparation for childbirth:

1. Childbirth preparation courses where women will not only have a good time, but will also be able to say goodbye to worrying myths about pregnancy and childbirth. In this case, you can choose courses with a specific focus, for example, in preparation for natural childbirth, water birth, etc. It is best to attend courses for both parents, which also provide training in practical skills for caring for an infant.
2. Reading books and articles on psychological preparation for childbirth and problems associated with pregnancy. Thanks to them, you can learn proper behavior during childbirth, as well as breathing techniques.
3. A positive attitude will help you avoid panic in difficult situations. Hobbies, walks in the fresh air, and good music will help with this.
4. Visualization and auto-training. In difficult moments, motivation such as the birth of a healthy child will help. Today, you can choose a suitable psychological technique related to concentration or, conversely, relaxation and relief from tension. You can choose the right one yourself or in consultation with a specialist.

The most common fear among pregnant women is the fear of the birth process itself. This anxiety is associated with the fear of severe pain, as well as the unknown. You can reassure yourself by the fact that almost all women go through this and endure pain. The less worries, the easier the birth process is.

Physical preparation for childbirth

Throughout pregnancy, a woman needs to physically prepare for childbirth, which will help the body cope with the load during the process. To do this, you should perform a set of general strengthening exercises. You can sign up for special courses for pregnant women, where classes will be conducted together with a trainer, or you can perform gymnastics yourself at home.

In late pregnancy, you need to know poses that help improve blood circulation in the lower body and also reduce pain. One of these body positions: the feet brought together are raised as close to the body as possible. This position increases blood circulation in the lower body and also improves pelvic flexibility, which is very useful for childbirth.

If you have pain in the lower extremities or feel tired, it is useful to lie on your back with your legs raised above the level of your torso. This helps not only to relax, but also to accept the child correct position in the uterus. Another way to change the position of the child is the pose on all fours. In this position, blood flow increases to internal organs, as fetal pressure decreases. It also helps the baby turn over.

It is useful to do half squats. To do this, you need to stand at a distance of 60 cm from the wall and squat with a straight back as if there was an invisible chair. Half squats are repeated 20 times.

If a woman plans to breastfeed her baby, then it is necessary to prepare her nipples for this process, especially if they are flat. To do this, from the 28th week a massage is carried out, and you need large and index finger grab the nipple and thus make retracting rubbing movements.

You can first learn self-massage. Special courses will help you learn how to find pain points to influence them during childbirth.

Before giving birth, it is also useful to do exercises for the perineum to prevent its ruptures during childbirth. This could be the well-known Kegel exercise or some others:

• Stand sideways to the back of the chair, resting your hands on it. Move your leg up as high as possible. Repeat the exercise 10 times for each leg.
• Stand on your knees joined together. Slowly roll back, sitting on your heels.
• Walk single file around the house.
• Sit with your legs crossed in front of you.
• Slowly squat down with your legs wide apart. Stay in this position for a few seconds and spring back. Slowly rise and relax. Repeat 5 times.
• Try to do more housework while squatting.

Breathing exercises to prepare for childbirth

A pregnant woman should know that in the first stage of labor she needs to be relaxed and calm. The relaxed walls of the abdominal cavity and pelvic floor do not offer resistance, which helps the baby gently pass through the birth canal with each uterine contraction. When tense, the circular muscles of the uterus contract, which leads to increased work. Because of this, less oxygen enters the uterine tissue, which leads to increased pain during contractions.

To reduce pain, you need to learn to rest between contractions. To do this, starting from 20 weeks, you can begin to master relaxing auto-training. These exercises should be performed daily.

To do this, take a comfortable position lying down or sitting in a chair, and turn on quiet music. WITH eyes closed you need to switch to calm breathing. Inhale through the nose, while the stomach is slightly inflated, exhale through the mouth, and the stomach deflates with it. The exhalation must be calm and slightly longer than the inhalation. During such training, you need to imagine the unborn child, you can even mentally talk to him.

Proper breathing during childbirth can ensure that there is no need for drug intervention.

Contractions at the beginning of the labor process are weak and infrequent, so there is no need for special breathing at this time. If pain increases, you need to choose a comfortable sitting position with your legs spread out. The more a woman can relax, the better the cervix will open.

In this case, you need to count: inhale on the count of 3 while inflating the abdomen, exhale on the count of 7 while deflating the abdomen. This breathing continues for a minute, during which time, with a given count, you will be able to take 6 inhalations and exhalations.

Over time, contractions will become more frequent and lengthen in time, the intervals between them will become shorter, and the pain will intensify. Breathing should be even deeper and slower. Inhale on a count of 3, exhale on a count of 10. Over the course of a minute, you will get 4 such inhalations and exhalations. This kind of breathing needs to be trained in advance. In order to make such a long exhalation, you should train gradually.

1. The first stage of labor ends with the complete opening of the cervix, contractions occur after 20-30 seconds and last about 2 minutes, the pain is severe. During this period, frequent shallow breathing. When training, you can breathe quickly inhaling through your nose and also quickly exhaling through your mouth. You can also breathe only through the nose or only through the mouth. It is necessary to breathe in this way for a minute; slight dizziness may occur.
2. For the second stage of labor, a woman needs to practice holding her breath. During childbirth, you will not only have to hold your breath for up to half a minute, but also push. During training, you need to inhale sharply and deeply through your mouth, hold your breath, open your mouth slightly and slightly strain your perineum, after which you exhale calmly through your mouth. Breathing for pushing should be practiced gradually, starting with holding the air for 10 seconds and subsequently reaching 30 seconds. A total of 3 such approaches are performed.

When preparing for childbirth in late pregnancy, breathing exercises should be carried out daily for 20-30 minutes.

Preparing for childbirth: procedure

After contractions begin, you must act in accordance with the following plan:

Begancramping pain - It is necessary to compare 3 contractions in a row and the duration of the intervals between them. If the intervals between contractions do not have the same time interval of no more than 10 minutes, they are training. In the case of irregular contractions with large intervals and in the absence of pain, a reasonable solution would be to stay at home and wait until the interval between contractions decreases. You should continue your usual lifestyle: eat, go for walks, get enough sleep, take a bath, collect packages for the maternity hospital. During contractions, practice proper breathing.

Verification of documents- ID card and its photocopy, compulsory medical insurance policy and photocopy of the policy, exchange card, birth certificate (if available), VHI policy (in case of paid childbirth).

It has long been proven that fear is one of the main causes of pain that a mother experiences during the birth of a child. The same fear makes a woman lose control over her behavior and forget about proper pushing and breathing. The result is numerous tears and stitches. The expectant mother needs to know well how to prepare for childbirth without pain and tearing , so that childbirth is easy and painless.

Causes of pain and ruptures during labor

Medical science has already proven that natural childbirth is always accompanied by the rapid production of hormones such as endorphin, which gives a feeling of happiness, and enkephalin, which acts as a pain reliever. In addition, 2-3 weeks before the birth of the baby, the sensitivity of the uterus is weakened, due to the selective destruction of the nerve endings responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses. It’s surprising why most women, seemingly healthy, experience real agony on the eve of such a joyful event as the birth of a long-awaited child?

Pain is believed to be caused by psychosomatic feelings. The expectation of the unknown, especially if a woman is giving birth for the first time, sets her up for a wave of fear and prejudice, which partially affects the intensity of pain.

Labor contractions, which is nothing more than the opening of the uterus, can last up to 12 hours, and all this time the woman, in most cases, feels severe pain. Is there really nothing that can be done? How to properly prepare for childbirth without pain and perineal tears?

This issue should be sorted out in order. First you need to find out why the gaps occur.

There are reasons for this phenomenon, but also aggravating factors:

1. The baby is too large or the fetus is presented in an awkward position;
2. Induction of labor using pharmacological drugs;
3. Fast, stormy labor;
4. Previously suffered ruptures and remaining scars from sutures;
5. Abnormal behavior of the mother, panic, fear;
6. Chronic infectious diseases of women in labor.

The perineal tissue can rupture due to reduced elasticity - usually this happens in women who give birth for the first time over the age of 35-40 years;

There are gaps different types and severity. If the first degree involves ruptures of the vagina, adhesions of the posterior wall of the uterus, but the muscle tissue of the perineum remains intact, then in the second degree the perineum is also torn. The most severe is the third degree, when the ruptures cover the sphincter of the rectum.

It should be noted that if surgical incisions were not made to facilitate the passage of the child, and the woman tore herself, such sutures will take a long time to heal and may even become inflamed. Often during ruptures the cervix is ​​also damaged, in some cases all the way to the vagina.

In general, with a normal pregnancy, when the mother’s weight and her health are in order, and, moreover, she is aware of how to push and breathe correctly, there should be no ruptures. Nature has arranged it in such a way that before childbirth, the muscles of the perineum acquire maximum elasticity so that the child can overcome this birth canal without any obstacles.

However, every second woman in labor continues to vomit, and often this is a consequence of the fact that the woman does not listen to the doctor’s advice, makes incorrect attempts and forgets to breathe, succumbing to a panicked mood. The psycho-emotional state at this moment causes muscle spasms, and the resulting tension complicates the opening of the uterus. This only intensifies the pain and increases the risk of rupture.

Facilitating childbirth with surgical dissection

For women, when ruptures are inevitable, and the unpleasant process has already begun, so that it does not take on pathological proportions, the doctor makes an incision in the perineum. This is necessary for the following reasons:

• This prevents further damage;
• Prevents infection, since a lacerated wound is much more susceptible to inflammation;
• Ensures the integrity of the walls of the rectum and the muscles of the anus.
• The incision heals faster.

In addition, it does not interfere with the passage of the baby's head. Dissection is justified when it comes to early labor and lack of air in the baby. This method is also used when a woman in labor suffers hypertension, visual impairment, other ailments and strong efforts are contraindicated for her.

The dissection is made either towards the anus or in a lateral manner, depending on the situation. In many maternity hospitals, incisions are still made without the use of anesthetics and anesthesia is provided only during suturing, but recently it is believed that local anesthesia should also be used during the incision. Typically, surgical sutures heal within 30 days if all the doctor’s instructions are followed.

Of course, this is an “emergency” solution in case of unforeseen situations at the time of childbirth, but it is still better to prepare your body in advance to avoid such consequences. We will tell you further how to prepare for childbirth without pain and perineal tears.

We told you how to push correctly and when it is necessary in. But to reduce the threat of ruptures, you will need to prepare properly. Precisely to reduce it, because no one will give a firm guarantee in such a matter. To do this, you need to start preparing during pregnancy. It includes:

1. Diet with restriction of certain foods that affect the size of the baby;
2. Special exercises aimed at stretching the perineum;
3. Understanding the basics of proper breathing;
4. Psychological preparation that supports a woman’s positive attitude before an important event.

First of all, the expectant mother should eat only healthy foods that can enhance the production of elastin in the tissues of the perineum. But that is not all. To prevent the child from being too large, a woman should beware of using meat, especially fatty meat, flour and confectionery products, large quantities salt and sugar, various sweets. Vitamins and micronutrient complexes can only be taken as directed by a doctor.

If the bread contains yeast, then there is a danger of developing candidiasis, known as thrush. This unpleasant disease significantly reduces elasticity, so if you really eat bread, then only whole grain bread. Some doctors also recommend adding primrose oil, flaxseed oil, fish fat or salmon fish, which contain essential polyunsaturated acids. In addition to increasing the level of elastin, they have a beneficial effect on the cervix, which will subsequently contribute to its faster and easier opening.

A pregnant woman can also benefit from leisurely walks - from 2 to 3 hours per day. different time of the year. Slow walking prevents blood from stagnating in the pelvic organs.

Regular exercise is important, as it improves blood circulation, which causes increased metabolism and, accordingly, the production of elastin. To do this, you can do simple physical exercises - bending, swinging, turning, the main thing is that the blood supply to all tissues of the body is not disrupted. You can use special Kegel exercises. But intimate massage should begin no later than 7-8 months.

Exercises to prepare for childbirth

The exercises are simple, but must be performed regularly:

• The main technique is tensing the muscles of the vagina and rectum. You can lie down, stand or sit. You can also move your legs to the sides one by one,
• back and forth. After squeezing (tension) for 5-6 seconds, the muscles should be relaxed.
• Standing on your knees with your hands on the floor, you must try to tear them off the floor, still in the same position. Each time you need to raise your hands higher and higher, lingering for a few moments at the highest point. For convenience, you can mentally imagine that you need to lift a heavy bag and pull it up by the handles.
• An exercise to train the muscles of the vagina consists of straining its walls, starting from its upper point, gradually descending to the entrance.

A massage to help you prepare for childbirth

Perineal massage – effective way stretch the perineum and make it more elastic. This procedure begins to be done in the third trimester. It is desirable that the massaging be regular, but deviations are also allowed.

• Until the fifth month, sessions can be performed once every seven days;
• Starting from the seventh month - twice a week;
• Until the ninth month - once every two days;
• In the remaining time before giving birth - every day.

For the procedure you will need pre-boiled vegetable oil, rubber or polymer, sterile gloves. Before the massage, gloved fingers should be moistened with oil. The session is conducted as follows:

• The procedure begins with a circular massage of the labia;
• Gradually insert one finger into the vagina and make the same movements in a circle, trying to lightly press the wall of the vagina that separates it from the rectum;
• Gradually insert two fingers using the same technique;
• Thus, they pass through the entire cavity of the organ until a slight burning sensation is felt.

The massage lasts about 10 minutes, sometimes less, depending on the discomfort.

How to push properly during childbirth to avoid ruptures

Often ruptures occur due to the fact that a woman pushes incorrectly. But, listening to an experienced obstetrician, even a woman who does not know the rules can give birth safely if she does not panic. But still, how should this be done correctly?

• Firstly, you should start pushing only when the doctor says;
• During one contraction, three attempts are usually made;
• It is better to rise a little, pulling your knees towards you;
• Attempts should be directed towards the abdominals and uterus, and not towards the rectum;
• You cannot push on the head - this causes damage to the eye vessels;
• In between, you need to be able to relax in order to rest.

Much depends on the psychological state of the woman - if she is committed to a successful delivery and can control herself, most likely this will be the case. For this purpose, you can enroll in special courses for pregnant women, and in severe cases, consult a psychologist.

So it turns out that preparation is no less important than the birth itself if a woman in labor wants to quickly recover after the birth of a child. Of course, it is extremely important to know how to behave during labor and labor, but it is also necessary to listen to your body and follow the recommendations of doctors. Careful preparation for childbirth and a positive mood will help the mother in labor and minimize unpleasant episodes during childbirth.

How to prepare for childbirth: video

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In order to feel confident, not to panic, to behave correctly in the maternity hospital and to be able to help herself with unpleasant sensations, a woman in labor must have a fairly good idea of ​​what awaits her during childbirth. The expectant mother needs to know how not to miss the onset of labor, when to go to the maternity hospital, what documents and things will be needed for hospitalization, how to behave correctly during contractions and pushing, what specialists do and why during childbirth.

To meet this process “fully armed”, modern women they begin to get serious long before the end of pregnancy prepare for childbirth. Some study specialized medical literature, others subscribe to pregnancy magazines, and others search for information on the vast expanses of the Internet. During pregnancy, many attend courses for expectant parents, learn techniques for self-anesthesia and active behavior during childbirth, and write detailed notes that reflect the main stages of each stage of labor.

However, most women who have crossed the threshold of motherhood complain that at the most crucial moment all the accumulated knowledge disappeared at once and, despite extensive theoretical training, the first contractions still took them by surprise. There is a common saying: “Preparing is useless - during childbirth You’ll forget everything anyway.” Of course, this statement is false; This is how those who are lazy or are simply afraid to find out something about childbirth in advance justify themselves. And yet there is some truth in this statement: how not get ready for childbirth, the beginning of this process will still be associated with natural excitement, in which all the acquired knowledge may become confused in the head.

Suppose the expectant mother has the first “suspicious” sensations: her back hurts, her stomach tenses, and liquid discharge appears from the genital tract. At this moment, many thoughts simultaneously appear in her head based on the information received about childbirth; however, these thoughts are sometimes very contradictory - after all, in courses and in specialized literature we understood different variants the beginning of labor. So, where to start: call the doctor, your husband or an ambulance? What if this is a false alarm? What is the best way to behave now during “sensations”: try to relax or immediately use pain relief techniques? Should I count my contractions or go straight away? What is better now - lie down, sit down or walk? Where are the documents? Have you collected the necessary things and do you need to take them all with you at once? – Looking for answers to these questions during contractions, rummaging through a stack of magazines or thick course notes, is extremely inconvenient.

Meanwhile, there is a wonderful way that helps during the onset of labor avoid fuss and excitement, don’t make mistakes and don’t forget anything. This method is absolutely accessible and surprisingly simple: you need to make a “cheat sheet” on behavior in advance during childbirth. It should be clear and concise, without abstruse medical terms and lengthy explanations. In the cheat sheet, as in a young fighter’s memo, you need to outline, point by point, the necessary actions for each stage of childbirth, starting from the very first sensations until the moment of transfer to the postpartum ward.

For example, how to behave at the beginning, depending on your feelings, when to call the doctor, when to go to the maternity hospital, what documents to take with you and where they are, what to wear and what to take with you, etc.

Any expectant mother can easily write such a note; Recordings from courses and articles for future parents are perfect for this. In order for the instructions to be practical, you need to try to imagine that the described situation is unfolding at this very moment, and write down the questions that may arise in connection with this. Having identified the main questions, you need to find clear, comprehensive answers to them in authoritative sources (popular literature for expectant parents or lectures from courses) and write them down on paper. Then you need to edit the resulting notes so that they are sufficiently concise, while remaining comprehensive and understandable. You need to write a “cheat sheet” in advance (no later than the 36th week); Having written a draft, it is good to show it to the doctor at antenatal clinic or to a course lecturer to eliminate the possibility of errors and, perhaps, to add something. After the memo is compiled, it should be placed in a visible place in the house, for example, attached with magnets to the refrigerator or a button to the wall in the room. The best solution would be to make several copies of the “cheat sheet”; keep one in a visible place at home, put the other in your purse along with necessary documents(in case the onset of labor finds you outside the house), and the third should be given to your husband (so that he also has a guide to action and can tell him how to behave).

Preparing for childbirth: action plan

You can make an action plan during contractions as follows:

Contractions appeared- compare three adjacent contractions and two intervals between them. Real contractions should be at regular intervals of no more than 10 minutes. If the intervals are uneven or more than 10 minutes, the contractions are not painful and nothing else bothers you, you can stay at home and observe whether they become more frequent. You can behave freely (eat, walk, sleep, take a bath, pack your things). Breathe calmly during contractions.

Check documents– passport, photocopy of passport, compulsory medical insurance policy, photocopy of policy, exchange card, birth certificate (if any), voluntary health insurance policy (if contract for childbirth).

Check the things you need to take with you:

• bag “for childbirth”: still water, wet wipes, lip balm, thermal spray, shirt, robe, washable slippers (the list can be supplemented in accordance with the requirements of the selected maternity hospital);
• things for the husband (if choosing a partner birth): washable slippers, clean socks, medical suit.

Regular contractions every 10 minutes or more often –

• call " ambulance»;
• call your husband or mother (for convenience, at this point you can write down the phone numbers of the doctor, the ambulance, and your husband’s mobile number).

You can go to the maternity hospital by ambulance or by your own car. From now on, try not to sit on a hard surface, eat or drink. During a contraction, breathe calmly and behave freely between contractions. You can walk, lie down, sit on the ball. In a passenger car, sit in the back seat in a position lying on your side or reclining on your back.

Water is leaking –

• call the doctor (for individual management of childbirth);
• call an ambulance;
• call your husband or mom.

Go to the maternity hospital regardless of whether there are contractions; You can go by ambulance or in your own car. Use a sterile sanitary pad for postpartum discharge. Before the ambulance team arrives, lie down, do not eat or drink; in your car, sit in the back seat on your side or reclining on your back.

Severe abdominal pain, headache, vomiting, bleeding from the genital tract, general deterioration in health - urgently go to the maternity hospital; only by ambulance!

In the emergency department - call the doctor (for individual management of childbirth), change shoes, take off outerwear, take all the documents (passport + copy, compulsory medical insurance policy + copy, exchange card, birth certificate or contract policy - if any) and go inside without a queue. Actions of the staff: the midwife fills out the card, measures blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height and weight, gives consent to hospitalization, calls the doctor. The doctor looks on a couch or chair, listens to the fetal heartbeat, and does an ultrasound (if necessary). After the examination, the midwife takes blood from a finger, shaves the perineum, gives an enema, takes you to the toilet, then to the shower and to the maternity ward.

In the ward - a CTG recording (you can lie or sit on a ball - ask the doctor) and a second examination. If you are allowed to stand up, you can walk around the ward, look for comfortable positions, sit on the ball. If you can't get up, lie on your side.

Painful contractions– during a contraction, choose a comfortable position, relax as much as possible, massage, use pain-relieving breathing. The options should be described separately. Between contractions, rest and breathe calmly. Consult your doctor about the need for drug pain relief.

I want to push- call a doctor; During a contraction, breathe often through your mouth (“dog”) so as not to start pushing ahead of time. If you are allowed to stand up, choose a vertical or semi-vertical position; if you can’t get up, lie on your side, raising yourself on your elbow and bending your knees. Relax all muscles as much as possible and monitor your breathing. Between contractions, lie down and breathe calmly; rinse your mouth, freshen up with thermal spray.

Attempts– push only when allowed. Push three times during the contraction; before pushing, take a deep breath through your mouth, hold your breath, press your chin to your chest and tighten your abs as much as possible. After pushing, on command, exhale smoothly with a half-open mouth. Between contractions, relax and breathe calmly.

Breathing during childbirth

Postpartum check-up– the doctor looks at the birth canal on the chair for ruptures; try to relax your pelvic muscles as much as possible and breathe calmly.

After childbirth– we stay in the maternity ward for two hours under the supervision of medical staff. Do not get up or sit down, keep ice on your stomach, try not to fall asleep; rest.

On back side“cheat sheets”, it is advisable to create a short table on methods of self-anesthesia, in which you can schematically reflect postures, movement options and massage for the main stages of childbirth, as well as describe the types of breathing during contractions.

Of course, this is just an approximate plan for a “cheat sheet for childbirth.” The plan can be changed and supplemented at your discretion - the main thing is that it takes into account all the essentials for you and at the right time it is at your fingertips!

Experienced pregnant women begin to prepare in advance for childbirth. But women planning to become mothers for the first time are a little confused and don’t quite understand what they need to do.

Step-by-step preparation

When should you prepare for childbirth? It is recommended to begin the preparatory process for the birth of a baby during pregnancy. The sooner a woman begins to mentally prepare for childbirth, the easier it will be to master the remaining aspects of the upcoming process.

How to prepare yourself for childbirth

• pay attention to the physical condition of the body;
• learn to breathe correctly during contractions;
• master methods of psychological preparation;
• additional incentives;
• pack a bag with things and documents that will be needed in the maternity hospital.

If the timing of the birth of a child is delayed, a woman can prepare for a natural birth by stimulating the process. Precursors will tell the expectant mother that the baby is ready - separation and release of the mucous plug, breaking of water, painful cramping sensations in the lower abdomen.

But these are not signs of real contractions, but evidence that the child has dropped lower - into the upper pelvic region and is beginning to slowly put pressure on the cervix. If the pregnancy is progressing normally, you should not panic when contractions appear - they may be false.

It is necessary to go to the maternity hospital when the cramping pains become progressively worse. Between the first cramps and natural childbirth, there is time to get to the hospital without rushing.

Stages of childbirth:

1. the period of dilatation of the uterine pharynx, which lasts several hours;
2. transitional stage when the uterus is fully dilated; it lasts from 15 to 60 minutes;
3. the period of expulsion, or advancement through the birth canal.

During the first birth, the third stage takes at least an hour, since the muscles of the uterus are not elastic enough for the procedure. In women who give birth repeatedly, the birth of a child occurs faster (sometimes even rapidly).

A period of expulsion that lasts 2 or more hours is a threat to the baby’s life. The woman in labor is cut into the perineum to widen the passage for the baby's head, or special devices (vacuum extraction or forceps) are used to forcibly remove the newborn.

Sometimes they resort to caesarean section. If the operation is planned, the woman is admitted to the maternity hospital in advance to prepare for the upcoming procedure. The same applies to situations where several children are expected to appear at once. As for partner births, here preparation is needed not only for the mother, but also for the future father (primarily psychological).

Physical hardening of the body

To make it easier for the baby to be born, the expectant mother must prepare herself physically for the upcoming procedure. This will make the body more resilient, ensuring a normal course of delivery.

Physical preparation for childbirth

• therapeutic exercises for pregnant women;
• hardening;
• massage treatments;
• mastering poses to ease contractions.

Each woman attending the School of Expectant Mothers is given physical exercises that the mother can do at home. In addition, a pregnant woman needs to be active and often walk in the fresh air.

Gymnastics. If a woman has been involved in sports before, you can continue training, but in a more gentle manner, stopping physical activity a month before giving birth. It is recommended to visit the pool during pregnancy. Swimming makes the muscles of the buttocks, perineum, and legs more elastic.

Massage. A massage of the lower abdomen and perineum will help prepare for the first birth. Light kneading actions will relieve tension from the muscles and tone the uterus. It is necessary to massage the lower back, which is especially stressed in the last trimester. Massage relieves swelling of the legs.

Poses.

Preparing for childbirth includes the correct behavior of a woman during labor. She will have to master several poses to choose a comfortable position at each stage. It is easier to cope with cramping pain in a standing position, and some prefer to move at this time.

Some people find it more comfortable to lean against a wall or a partner standing next to them, while other pregnant women squat down or get on all fours. You can sit on a chair facing the back, with your legs apart. A pregnant woman should master the ability to walk single file and sit correctly in squats from the first trimester. And the “butterfly” and “lotus” poses are also good way

relaxation. It is not advisable to take a horizontal position on your back - this will limit the flow of blood to the baby. As a last resort, you are allowed to lie on your side, this will help you gather your strength.

Self-anesthesia allows proper breathing, which should not be fast and strong. Women who know how to relax and distract themselves from negativity endure contractions more easily.

Preparations in the last weeks It happens that under severe stress, all knowledge, in the process of preparing for childbirth, flies out of your head. The woman panics, which negatively affects psychological state

. Therefore, it is necessary to consolidate everything with practice, which includes breathing exercises, the ability to relieve pain and the ability to stimulate labor to speed up the process. The body itself must react reflexively to a situation that is difficult for a pregnant woman to control.

• Breathing exercises:
• chest breathing - inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth;
• with the diaphragm (with protrusion of the abdomen) - take a deep breath for 3 seconds, pause, exhale for 5 seconds, pause again;
• rhythmically - inhale and exhale for 5 seconds, hold for 3 seconds;

“doggy style” - rapid breathing (usually with the tongue hanging out), while standing on all fours.

A woman in a hospital who has unbearably strong contractions is given an anesthetic injection. At home, you have to rely on your own strength and apply massage to special points on the body.

Massage to relieve pain during contractions:

• stroking movements of the abdomen from the center to the sides;
• light kneading of the lower back;
• gentle pressure on the pits above the buttocks;
• pressing on the lateral bones of the pelvis;
• massaging the area on the palms between the index and thumb.

Acupressure. If you press on the points above the ankle on the inside of the shin, you can not only ease the contractions, but also speed up the opening of the cervix. This will prepare you for an easy birth.

Nutrition. When contractions begin, some women lose their appetite, while others, on the contrary, want to eat. You should not deny yourself this desire - light snacks help restore the strength that will be needed during childbirth. You need to drink plenty of fluids, while remembering to empty your bladder often.

Nipple stimulation. Closer to the baby's due date, women prepare for childbirth by stimulating their breasts with their hands and their nipples with a bath towel. Contrast showers, air baths and rubbing the nipples with ice cubes from herbal infusions are good.

By twisting and pulling the nipples with her fingers, a pregnant woman provokes the production of oxytocin, a hormone that stimulates labor. Therefore, procedures should not be carried out in advance, only immediately before the date of birth of the child.

Last stage

It is necessary to physically prepare for childbirth in the last days, not only in order to minimize pain, but also to try to avoid perineal ruptures. The labia and vagina are massaged with oils, which makes the skin softer, more elastic and stretchable.

How to prepare for childbirth:

1. use prostaglandins;
2. a Foley catheter is used;
3. kelp is introduced.

Bladder puncture. A gentle method is the drug prostaglandin, produced in the form of a gel or suppositories. The drug is injected into the vagina and, in rare cases, into the cervix. The medicine does not penetrate into the amniotic sac, but promotes its rupture. If this does not happen, the midwife opens the bladder.

Prenatal treatment. It's worth taking care of hygiene intimate area, having shaved your hair, it not only interferes during childbirth, but can also become a source of infection. In the maternity hospital, pregnant women are shaved (this is standard procedure), but it’s better to prepare yourself at home.

The process of having a baby can be quick, and the woman simply won’t have time to shave. If the expectant mother is uncomfortable doing it herself hygiene procedure, it is recommended to entrust her to her husband. It is not enough to simply prepare for the birth of the baby, you need to ensure that the contractions do not subside or last too long. Sometimes medical intervention is required to induce labor.

Foley catheter. If medical stimulants are contraindicated, a Foley catheter made of silicone is used. With this device, the woman will walk for several hours until labor enters the final phase.

The most popular recently is the use of algae to stimulate labor. The effect is observed within 3 hours after the introduction of kelp into the cervix. The stick, increasing in size, begins to put pressure on the walls, promoting the opening of the pharynx. At the same time, kelp stimulates the muscles of the birth canal and also activates the production of oxytocin.

Psycho-emotional mood

An emotional attitude toward the natural course of childbirth is another way to properly prepare yourself for the arrival of your baby. The more conscious a woman is about upcoming contractions, the easier it is to cope with pain.

You need to prepare yourself psychologically throughout pregnancy, but the last hours before childbirth are important. Courses teaching auto-training techniques will help here. Knowing what to prepare for, it is easier for a woman to do without drug pain relief.

Contact with beauty will allow you to tune in to a positive perception of the upcoming birth. Psychologists recommend listening to relaxing music, contemplating beautiful pictures or draw them yourself. Similar methods of self-preparation for childbirth are practiced all over the world.

Grantley Dick-Read. A doctor with many years of experience is confident that the pain during labor would not be so severe if the woman in labor had not panicked. Once your psycho-emotional state is under control, it will immediately reduce physical stress. Therefore, the expectant mother needs to learn auto-training.

Lamaze.

This technique is based on Pavlov's teachings about reflexes. When preparing for childbirth, it is necessary to master breathing exercises and be able to relax on a subconscious level. The actions brought to the mechanism will make childbirth and the hours preceding the process more comfortable. This implies partner participation not only during the birth of a newborn, but also for the entire period of gestation. A pregnant woman listens sensitively to changes in the body, mentally preparing herself for the upcoming delivery. This helps her to concentrate on the main point in time and consciously control the entire process. Your partner's support will give you strength and confidence.

Sheila Kitsinger. The author of the technique invites a woman to reconsider her perception of the situation and evaluate childbirth as a new step in personal development. The awareness that pregnancy is not an obstacle to the usual rhythm of social and sex life, increases your own self-esteem. This gives you confidence in your abilities, practice of breathing techniques, massage, and hardening.

Michel Auden.

The concept suggests trusting nature and your own intuition. The only thing that will depend on the woman is to learn to liberate herself. Emotions, which should be positive, play a big role. Pregnancy will be filled with positivity thanks to the opportunity to explore hidden talents (drawing, singing, dancing).

Hypno-birth.

Self-hypnosis, the ability to meditate, hypnosis are akin to the teachings of yogis. They begin to master the technique of self-hypnosis in the first weeks of pregnancy. This will allow you to perceive the situation only in a positive way. But it will be difficult to master hypnosis on your own, since you will need a practitioner.

Things in the maternity hospital

• The closer the baby is due, the more attention is paid to the practical side of preparation. The expectant mother chooses the hospital and obstetrician who will deliver the baby. When agreeing with the doctor about a separate room, the woman discusses the terms of partnership participation.
• What you need to take with you to the maternity hospital:
• pregnant woman's exchange card;
• passport;

clothes for yourself, the baby and the delivery room;

personal hygiene products.

Usually, at the antenatal clinic, pregnant women are given a list of what they need to take with them to the maternity ward. This allows you to prepare for childbirth without haste and properly.

When choosing underwear, buy special nursing bras; you will need at least 2 of them. Briefs should be large, form-fitting and easy to pad. All items are selected only from natural materials - no synthetics.

A newborn bag is prepared for the baby. Usually first aid kits are sold already equipped with everything necessary. But a mother can separately purchase diapers, baby vests, hats, and rompers in the quantities indicated in the list given to the woman. Don't forget about baby hygiene products.

Prepared childbirth helps a woman feel confident in the last stage of pregnancy. By starting to tune in to the moment of the birth of the child in advance, the expectant mother will be able to master techniques and techniques that contribute to an easy outcome. The ability to control the entire upcoming process is the key to a happy birth.

When pregnancy comes to its logical conclusion, every woman begins to worry about the upcoming birth. Even those women in labor who have already gone through this process and have children cannot avoid certain fears and questions. After all, every time childbirth takes place in its own way, and one can predict exactly how everything will be in this case, impossible. Therefore, from approximately the thirty-fourth week, you need to start attending courses for pregnant women, taking online seminars on this topic and studying other information posted on forums and various websites. In general, preparation for childbirth should take several weeks. This article describes what needs to be included in it.

Let's talk about the birth process

Preparing a pregnant woman for childbirth is not always given due attention. Most often, in various courses, women are told about the three stages of the birth process, taught breathing exercises and try to reduce the level of fear in first-time mothers. However, in fact, many pregnant women note that they did not have enough information about 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 Active participation during childbirth, they pass more painlessly and have every chance of avoiding ruptures.

Therefore, any process of preparing for childbirth should include several important points, which we will consider in the article:

• setting the due date;
• signs of contractions that have begun;
• list of things needed for ;
• need and possibility of pain relief;
• three stages of the birth process;
• pros and cons of partner childbirth;
• preparing the cervix for childbirth;
• selection of courses for pregnant women and maternity hospitals.

Of course, expectant mothers have a lot of questions regarding childbirth. They are embarrassed to ask many of them, and therefore experience nervousness and fear. This negatively affects their emotional state and affects the baby. Sometimes such problems even slow down the onset of labor or prevent the process from proceeding naturally. Therefore, every pregnant woman should take preparations for childbirth very seriously and be sure to set aside time for this, even if she works until the last days of bearing the baby.

Date of birth: we calculate the exact day the baby is born

In childbirth preparation courses, specialists only briefly touch on the estimated date when labor can be expected to begin. But in fact, this topic worries 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 worry that contractions may start unexpectedly, they will not have time to get to the maternity hospital and this will harm the baby. Therefore, expectant mothers begin to go to two extremes: they insist on hospitalization several weeks in advance, or they become so worried that they provoke premature birth in themselves with a similar condition. To avoid such problems, you need to clearly understand when to expect contractions.

So, first of all, the expectant mother should know that the diagnosis determined 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 the weeks and be ready to go to the maternity hospital at the right time.

In modern obstetrics, pregnancy is considered full-term from the thirty-seventh to the forty-second week. Moreover, it is worth keeping in mind that this time interval is subject to a certain classification:

• Early term. This category includes babies born between the thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth weeks and six days. The babies are fully viable and ready to exist outside their mother. In terms of their condition, they are no different from children born later.
• Full term. Most newborns delight their mothers when they are born at thirty-nine to forty weeks and six days. This interval is considered classic and by this time the woman should be fully prepared for the upcoming process.
• Late term. If your baby decides to be born at forty-one weeks or forty-one weeks and six days, then there is no need to worry. The baby didn’t linger inside you at all, he was simply waiting in the wings, which is quite normal.
• Postmaturity. At forty-two weeks, doctors usually diagnose postmaturity. But for this diagnosis, they conduct a lot of additional examinations to eliminate errors in setting the estimated date of birth.

Based on the information received, preparations for childbirth should be completely completed by the thirty-sixth week. From this period, the pregnant woman should more often be at home or with close people who will help her if contractions begin. A woman should carry with her everything necessary for admission and a charged cell phone with enough money on her balance to contact relatives.

It is also necessary to have a clear understanding that preparation for childbirth consists of moral and informational preparation. In no course should you be given any pills, infusions or decoctions advised for a speedy resolution of the burden. Such interference in natural processes is unacceptable and in almost one hundred percent of cases will lead to a tragic outcome.

What is the first step in preparing 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.

Let's go to the maternity hospital: let's discuss the harbingers

Information about how labor progresses usually reassures women. After all, by owning it, they know exactly what to expect and will be able to classify the problem if it arises.

So, you should expect labor to speed up if you notice that it has become easier for you to breathe. This is due to the fact that the baby’s head descends into the pelvic area and the stomach seems to be lower than usual. This can happen two to three weeks before birth. Sometimes expectant mothers notice that their belly has dropped just a couple of days before the baby is born. In any case, this fact is the first harbinger of the upcoming birth.

At the same time, vaginal discharge increases. They may have a brownish or pinkish tint, and are often white. In this way, the mucous plug comes away, which throughout pregnancy prevented any infections from entering the uterus from the vagina.

Often, a couple of weeks before giving birth, training contractions become more frequent. They differ from real ones in their lack of regularity and almost painlessness. When changing position, the pain usually goes away and does not occur again.

Harbingers of impending childbirth include nagging and dull pain in the lower back, slight weight loss of up to two kilograms and a feeling of pressure in the pubic area. All the symptoms listed above indicate that your family will soon be replenished with a baby. However, you should not go to the maternity hospital with such signs, but the following characteristics should make you call an ambulance or your husband to go with him to the birth.

First of all, pay attention to bloody vaginal discharge and discharge of amniotic fluid. They may go away immediately or flow out gradually, but it is difficult to confuse them with something else. The amniotic fluid should be transparent, small white lumps of vernix are acceptable. But the greenish or brown color of the liquid is a danger signal. It means that in amniotic fluid Meconium has entered and the baby is risking his life every minute. In this case, it is important to get under the supervision of doctors as soon as possible, warning them by phone about your condition.

Regular contractions also become a reason to immediately go to the maternity hospital. They always progress, gradually reducing intervals to ten minutes. If you notice that the pain is getting stronger, then it’s time to go to the hospital. However, before this, be sure to have an intimate haircut and a cleansing enema. Of course, the last procedure is also done in the maternity hospital, but many women are embarrassed by strangers and prefer to carry out all the manipulations at home. It is noteworthy that in childbirth preparation courses, many experts say that you can refuse an enema. However, midwives always note that such a solution is fraught with problems during pushing. Since the baby puts pressure on the intestines while passing through the birth canal, all its contents may involuntarily come out during the process. Therefore, this delicate issue should be resolved in favor of an enema.

Packing your bag for the maternity hospital

Any woman who has attended childbirth preparation courses knows quite well what to take with her. However, it is worth considering that the list of things must be checked with the one posted in the maternity hospital where you plan to give birth. Each institution has the right to introduce certain restrictions, so in this section we will provide a fairly general list of things needed in a hospital.

Naturally, the most important documents for pregnant women are documents. They should be placed in a separate file and always carried with you. You will need a passport, exchange card, health insurance policy, pension insurance card, birth certificate and a service agreement concluded with a medical institution. The last papers are needed if you have agreed on a paid birth.

For yourself, you should put washable slippers, a comfortable robe, a pair of nightgowns or pajamas in your bag. After giving birth, women will need bra pads, highly absorbent pads, disposable panties and cosmetical tools for body care. Don't forget shower accessories, toothbrush and toothpaste.

Place children's things in a separate bag. The baby will need diapers, several sets of clothes, cotton pads and swabs, powder (at the mother's discretion), socks, a hat and anti-scratch mittens for the hands.

Making decisions about pain management

All women dream of pain-free childbirth. But, unfortunately, this natural process cannot take place without pain. However, today there are a number of techniques that can reduce discomfort. They are divided into non-medicinal and pharmacological.

The former are always discussed in some detail in childbirth 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 pain relief method for you. However, keep in mind that you need to practice it for several months, otherwise in a stressful situation you will forget about everything you were taught in the courses.

There are quite a few pharmacological methods to relieve labor pain. But obstetricians and ordinary women often argue about them. Despite the fact that the effect of the drugs used on the body of the expectant mother and baby has been well studied, it is believed that the administration of drugs has a negative effect on labor. Doctors often write that the use of medications that reduce sensitivity causes various injuries and provokes numerous ruptures during pushing. Therefore, in any case, the decision always remains with the obstetricians who deliver the baby. Only they can administer this or that drug to you, but if you refuse, you still shouldn’t insist - the specialists are responsible for you and the health of the newborn.

How does childbirth proceed?

The expectant mother should be fully aware of what awaits her 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 listen carefully to midwives and follow all their recommendations. Therefore, we will look at all three stages of labor and talk about what will happen in each of them.

First stage

The contraction period is the first and longest. Women giving birth for the first time note that it lasts up to twelve hours. Next time this stage is reduced to seven to ten hours. During this time, the cervix opens and prepares to let the baby through. Preparing the cervix for childbirth occurs gradually to avoid ruptures and other injuries. The slower this happens, the more likely it is that the birth will be successful. Contractions at the first stage become more and more frequent. Initially they last no more than twenty seconds and occur after fifteen minutes. As the neck opens, they occur every minute and last up to sixty seconds.

Second phase

Pushing becomes the second stage of labor. Its duration depends on the physiological characteristics of the woman and how she will follow the recommendations of obstetricians. Keep in mind that the pushing period can last up to two hours. However, all this time the baby will experience a lack of oxygen, and therefore it is necessary to help him be born. Pushing is an involuntary muscle contraction that literally pushes the baby out. A woman can and should manage these contractions. At this stage, she needs to listen carefully to the doctors and push or hold back when necessary.

This period does not end with the birth of a baby, because female body still has to reject the placenta. This process usually lasts for thirty minutes, and the doctor carefully examines the released placenta so that not a single piece remains inside that could lead to an inflammatory process and bleeding in the future.

Third stage

At the third stage of labor, the woman is examined for ruptures, checked and manipulated with the baby. The mother spends about two hours after birth under the supervision of doctors and with an IV. If everything is in order, the woman will be transferred to another department, where in a few hours the baby will be brought to her.

The truth about partner birth

Their necessity can be debated endlessly, but if we are talking about preparation for childbirth, then it is better for the pregnant woman to go through it with some close person. It has been proven that in a stressful situation, which undoubtedly is childbirth, the presence of a loved one has a positive effect on a woman. In addition, the partner can not only help the 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 birthing room can turn out to be fateful.

However, I would like to note that you should not insist on partner childbirth with your husband if he does not want it. 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 in whom you are confident.

Preparing for childbirth: what to do

Childbirth is not only serious emotional stress, but also physical stress on the body. If you are well prepared for it, then there is a high probability that everything will go well, and the recovery process will not take much time. Preparation of the uterus for childbirth plays an important role in relieving pregnancy. You can learn about techniques and exercises that contribute to this in courses for pregnant women. Typically, a gymnastics routine combines yoga, Kegel exercises and stretching. However, you should not practice at home. Remember that such physical activity should be carried out under the supervision of specialists. Otherwise, you may experience premature labor. Preparing the cervix is ​​a long process. It takes at least three months.

If you are afraid of ruptures and care about the elasticity of tissues, then be sure to purchase oil to prepare for childbirth and massage the perineum with it. Starting from the thirty-sixth week, this is done daily. Typically the procedure involves dipping your fingers into the oil and slowly stretching the back wall of the vagina. The process may be accompanied by pressure and lasts about ten minutes. Judging by the reviews, women highly appreciate Weleda oil for preparing for childbirth. It is sterile, softens tissues and increases their elasticity. Weleda oil (for preparation for childbirth) does not cause allergies and can later be used as a regular care product.

Choosing courses and maternity hospital

Today, women can choose the institution in which they plan to give birth. Do not refuse this opportunity and read reviews on forums, visit the maternity hospital and find out about its rules, and also talk with doctors. It’s better if you have people you already know at the 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 now. They have different directions and accents, so the choice is always up to the woman. However, please note that good school Preparation for childbirth should include the following points in its program:

• breathing techniques;
• studying the stages of childbirth;
• pain relief techniques with massage and other methods;
• features of caring for a newborn;
• differences between normal and pathological childbirth.

It is important that information about the upcoming birth is as complete and useful as possible, then the pregnancy will end happily.