Coping with labor pains: adaptations for active labor. How to cope with labor pains and not go crazy with pain? How to endure contractions easier

Hello my dear readers. If you are already preparing to become a mother, then you are probably wondering how to survive labor pains during childbirth.

There are many rumors about them: that contractions are unbearably painful, that you will behave inappropriately, that they last for hours and even days ...

The rumors are partly justified. Contractions can be like this - but not all of them! And there are many ways to make this process easier. Let's talk about this.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, a woman repeatedly experiences sensations, similar for light contractions. If they are not related to problems - for example, the danger of premature birth, which is better to stop - you are most likely going through training contractions. Nature prepares the uterus and the corresponding muscles for close childbirth.

The closer to the outcome of pregnancy, the more often the muscles of the birth canal will train... And at some point this will already be the beginning of labor activity. How not to miss it?

I hasten to reassure you - it is very difficult to miss childbirth, it does not happen suddenly. This is a long process, it begins timidly, gradually increasing in all its manifestations. In the case of the first birth, it always takes longer than the second time, and can indeed take even a day.

But don't be alarmed! - Painful and frequent contractions will not overwhelm you and will not accompany you all the time during childbirth.

Let's talk about how to define what contractions say about the onset of labor:

false contractions will definitely stop after a short time - it is enough to change the position of the body, walk, lie down, you can even sleep, and the pulling sensations in the lower abdomen, the tone of the uterus will pass;
genuine labor pains will gradually intensify - if you observe the tension of the muscles of the uterus at intervals of 15-20 minutes for at least 40 seconds 4-5 times in a row or more, this is the beginning of labor;
often at this time the plug comes off, and amniotic fluid is poured out - which means it's time to go to the hospital.

What a woman feels during contractions

Believe me, girls, you will definitely understand that childbirth has begun. It is impossible to confuse: pain during a contraction arises somewhere in the back, builds up, rolls like a wave, goes down to the hips, at the same time giving it to the stomach. This is a very specific experience, only possible during childbirth.

And let's immediately tune in to the fact that the fight is never long - its duration 15-60 seconds... Just a minute of strong sensations, when the muscles diligently open the cervix, and then nature will give you relax.

The interval between contractions is quite large at first - half an hour, 20 minutes, 15 minutes. The rest period is gradually reduced. When the intervals between the tension of the muscles of the woman in labor are 3-5 minutes, this is full delivery, you should already be under the supervision of an obstetrician at this time. Between this and the initial stage, sometimes 3 hours, sometimes a day, can pass.

What Helps Reduce Pain in Pains

Mood is important

There is an opinion that pain during childbirth can be reduced to zero. I have not met women who did not experience pain at all, but everyone unanimously reiterates in the reviews that rumors about pain in contractions are exaggerated. And most importantly, after giving birth, a woman quickly forgets these experiences.

Therefore, let's agree that we will not be afraid and tune in positively: if you do not shrink in fear of what is coming, then nothing painful will happen.

Relax and have fun! You are about to meet your baby - think about it! And you will also get rid of the annoying belly and become light and airy again!

Motion

Previously, women were forbidden to get out of bed during contractions. Poor things! After all, it is known that the tension of any muscles easier relive or take off, moving.

Walk can and should! In ancient times, women did not go to bed at all during childbirth - children come out more easily under the influence of gravity, therefore, they gave birth on their haunches or special chairs. And recumbent childbirth was invented, they say, for one curious French king who wanted to see how this happens.

Ball

Fitball helps a lot with contractions. Only it should not be fully inflated so that the ball is soft. Then it is convenient to sit on it, swing, spring, rotate the pelvis, roll, that relaxes muscles and promotes accelerating expansion cervix.

As the day of birth approaches, every pregnant woman increasingly thinks about how everything will go. The thoughts of impending pain cause particular tension. It happens that girls who give birth for the first time bring themselves literally to a semi-faint state. Communicating with their friends and attending antenatal clinics, they eagerly absorb the stories of experienced people about how terribly and painfully childbirth is.

In fact, there are many ways to get through a contraction without pain. Feedback from specialists and women who successfully coped with the situation will be very useful to primiparous young ladies.

Causes of painful sensations

Before discussing how to get through labor and labor, you should understand what is causing the pain. By the time of childbirth, the uterus, without exaggeration, becomes the largest internal organ. Moreover, it does not grow, but simply stretches. Thus, its sensitive surface is increased by about 400 times. Panic and literally animal fear of a woman in labor add "pleasant" sensations.

Several factors that trigger pain:

maximum tension of the ligaments;
pelvic muscle resistance;
dilatation of the cervix;
inability to psychologically control contractions;
ischemia of tissues;
curvature of the vessels that feed the uterus;
an increase in surface area with highly sensitive receptors.

How to survive contractions? Reviews of experienced women in labor boil down to the fact that they simply do not need to be concentrated. There are many ways and techniques to help relieve the condition. But giving birth completely without pain will still not work. The main thing is to learn how to control it.

If a woman concentrates only on painful sensations, waits for them and is afraid, complications in childbirth are guaranteed. This behavior leads to disruption of metabolic processes in the plasma and can harm the fetus. How to survive contractions? You just need to prepare for them.

The beginning of the process

To understand how to cope with pain-free contractions, you need to learn several positions that can help alleviate the condition. At the initial stage, you need to try to relieve tension from the pelvic area as much as possible and provide the main organ involved in the process with maximum freedom.

It is necessary to sit on the edge of a bed or chair, resting your feet firmly on the floor. Try to keep your knees apart as much as possible. In this position, the lower back bends slightly, and the stomach relaxes. For greater stability, you can rest your palms on your hips.

If you can't sit, you can stop and stand. For example, spread your legs a little and lean on the edge of the bed. Try to arch your back slightly and relax as much as possible.

Active phase

Over time, the active phase of contractions begins. How to get through this moment and help yourself to relax?

During this period, it is quite difficult for a woman in labor to remain upright. But it is not recommended to go to bed during this period. Especially when there are no medical prerequisites for this. The best option during this period is the kneeling position. You can, for example, let your stomach sag a little under its own weight.

Some women in labor adapt a fitball for relaxation - a large elastic ball. You can take different poses with him. The main task of a woman in labor is maximum relaxation. The only thing you don't need to do is sit tightly on a hard chair or couch.

How to help yourself before giving birth

The last prenatal phase is characterized by the dilatation of the uterus. How to survive labor pains during this period? It is important to relieve tension not from the abdomen, but from the legs. To do this, you can use the same fitball. You can lean on it with your lower back, and push your knees apart. It is better to stretch your feet forward. Instead of the ball, you can use the help of a partner.

During this period of labor, doctors also advise you to stay on your feet. This will activate generic activity in a natural way. Facilitates the situation and correct breathing.

Application of anesthesia

Medicine has made great strides forward. Therefore, many women in labor prefer to get rid of suffering using anesthesia. There are various drugs that allow a woman not to feel pain, but still feel everything. Some medications, on the other hand, can make a woman feel nothing at all. It all depends on the dose and the professionalism of the anesthesiologist.

Whether to use pain relief or not is up to the doctor. A woman's body, tormented by pain and fear, can behave as it pleases. For example, labor may weaken or stop altogether. After a little rest, the woman will start working again.

At the same time, an incorrectly selected drug can provoke pressure surges, allergies, drowsiness or other side effects. All this can adversely affect the health of the woman in labor and the baby. Therefore, anesthesia is best used as a last resort.

In some countries, acupuncture is used to relieve pain during labor. This stimulates specific points and reduces pain. In our country, acupuncture is rarely used. It is not easy to find a good specialist familiar with oriental techniques.

Massage and aromatherapy

One of the options for making it easier to survive the contractions are special massage techniques. This method helps a lot from the very first uterine contractions to the beginning of attempts. For additional pain relief, you can use special creams, oils or gels. It is important to remember about possible allergic reactions. Techniques can be different:

Point. To relieve pain, press on the inside of the ankle bone and the indentation between the index and thumb at the same time. The duration of exposure is approximately 40 seconds.
Lumbar. Using a vibrating massager or finger bones, massage the sacrum and lumbar region for 40 seconds. Perform intense circular movements. During breaks, lightly press your fingers on the sacrum and the upper part of the buttocks.
Rubbing. In a lying position on your side, bring your legs together and bend slightly at the knees. With a comfortable hand, rub the inner thigh from the knee to the groin area. Each leg should have 30-40 repetitions.
Stroking. Put your right palm on the lower abdomen. Place the left one on top. Gently stroke the abdomen with your fingertips from the center to the sides. In the final phase of the contraction, the pressure can be increased slightly.

You can also involve a partner in the massage. With the bones and the back of the phalanges of the fingers, the partner can massage the sacral zone of the woman in labor. Rubbing circular movements should be performed and move from the coccyx up to the lower back. Some are helped by gentle rubbing of the lateral areas of the abdomen, neck massage. It is important not to press too hard to avoid damaging the baby.

In addition to massage, aromatherapy can also be used. Naturally, the lamp itself will have to be stocked up in advance. Also, even during pregnancy, you should test the reaction to various odors, make sure that there are no allergic manifestations or other negative reactions. In many cases, the aromas of lavender, bergamot or lemon are great help. Inhaling them, the woman in labor will be able to calm down and relax a little. The scent of jasmine, on the other hand, stimulates labor.

Breathing exercises

What if your contractions are in full swing? How to survive this condition and relieve pain as much as possible?

The first thing you can learn in preparatory courses for women in labor is proper breathing. This can actually relieve pain during labor. But the main thing is that a woman can do everything herself. She does not need anyone for this, and she will not have to ask anyone for help. Trying to correctly perform the breathing exercise, the woman is distracted from pain and tense muscles. In addition, at this moment, the blood is additionally enriched with oxygen, which is very beneficial for the baby.

There are several breathing techniques that can help ease the pain of contractions:

Intermittent. This method can speed up the process. It is necessary to breathe through the mouth, quickly alternating inhalation and exhalation. This is how a big dog breathes on a hot summer day. This may sound ridiculous. However, there is no place for embarrassment in this case. Believe me, in the maternity hospital, no one is interested in what a woman in labor looks like. They saw everything there.
Sobbing. You need to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. In this case, there should be one long exhalation for 2 breaths. This is how a person breathes when he begins to calm down after bitter sobs and he lacks a little air.
The pipe. Take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. In this case, the lips must be folded in a tube, as if you are trying to blow out the candles on a cake or play a pipe. With this method of breathing, the diaphragm is strained, and the stomach is rounded as much as possible. This will make it easier for the child to move, and the mother will be able to relax a little.

Comfortable poses

If the doctor does not insist that the woman in labor be lying, movement is the best pain reliever during labor. In this case, you must not curl up into a ball or lie on your back. So it will be difficult for the child to be born. The best solution is a position that allows you to relax as much as possible.

Here are some postures and movements to help relieve pain:

on a fitball - you can roll from side to side, spring gently;
squatting - squat, holding on to the support;
on your knees - slightly spread your legs and lean on a chair or bed in front of you, bend your lower back;
lotus - sitting on the floor, pull up the legs bent at the knees and close the feet;
on all fours - to bend the lower back in different positions, imitating the movements of a cat;
standing, leaning forward - rest your hands on an object standing in front and draw an eight with your pelvis;
in the same position - swing your hips in different directions;
roll from heels to toes;
"Saddle" the chair and at the time of the fight to deflect the body to the sides;
hang slightly on the support fixed at the top or on the partner's shoulders.

Water and thermal treatments

This is a great way to cope with labor pains. Warm water is excellent for relieving muscle tension. However, it should be just warm (no higher than 37.8 C), but not hot in any way. If possible, take a bath or shower. Stay in the water as long as necessary.

If this is not possible, it is good to apply a warm heating pad to the lower back. It can be filled with water. Or you can take a small linen bag, fill it with oats, wheat or salt and heat it up in the microwave to a pleasant temperature.

As you can see, there are many ways to relieve pain during labor. You just need to listen to your body, learn the necessary techniques and techniques. An excellent help in this matter will be courses for pregnant women, which should not be neglected.

How easy is it to transfer contractions, and what is it all about? As a rule, expectant mothers begin to think about this when the long nine months of waiting come to an end. When the ninth month comes to an end, it becomes much easier for mom to breathe, since her belly of immense size is already sinking.

The alarming suitcase is already ready, lying in the most conspicuous place and waiting for such a long-awaited trip. The expectant mother begins to experience new sensations. Especially primiparas start to panic.

How do you know that the contractions have begun? After all, they do not always talk about the beginning of labor.

Training contractions and harbingers

How to distinguish real fights from training? The latter begin to be observed by pregnant women, starting from the fifth month of pregnancy. They appear in the form of compression of the uterus for no more than two minutes. This process can be recognized by the "petrified" belly. This phenomenon is also called Braxton Hicks contractions, which can occur until the very end of pregnancy. Distinctive features:

they are irregular;
short-term;
painless.

Their true nature is still unknown, it is believed that this is how the body prepares for the childbirth process. These workouts can be triggered by:

physical stress;
increased emotional activity;
stress;
tiredness;
response to fetal movement;
sexual contact.

As for the frequency, there is no single answer - everything is individual. Some feel training contractions several times an hour, others - once every several days, and there are women who have not experienced this at all or simply do not feel them.

If you feel discomfort in these moments, then it is enough to simply eliminate it - change your position or lie down. These contractions cannot harm the baby or provoke cervical dilatation, it is not at all necessary to panic and go to the hospital. Think of Braxton Hicks contractions as a natural moment of pregnancy.

In addition to training contractions, there are so-called harbingers that a woman can feel from the thirty-eighth week of pregnancy. Note that these false contractions also have no effect on the fetus and cervical dilatation. They feel stronger and brighter than training ones. How to distinguish them from real ones? There are intervals between contractions of any nature; in the false it does not decrease, and the intensity does not increase. You can eliminate them using:

warm bath;
snack.

What are real contractions, how to understand that they have begun? Distinctive features of labor pains:

lack of control on the part of the woman (they cannot be eliminated in any way);
the intervals between them are reduced;
there is an increase in intensity.

The initial phase of labor pains: duration - twenty seconds, intervals - twenty minutes. The moment of cervical dilatation: duration - one minute, intervals - two minutes. You will find some more information on this topic in the table below.

Functions

Contractions have many functions. It all depends on the period of childbirth:

the first period - dilatation of the cervix;
the second is the expulsion of the fetus;
early postpartum - separation of the placenta, prevention of bleeding;
late postpartum - the return of the previous size of the uterus.

Contractions before childbirth

There are several phases:

hidden;
active;
deceleration phase.

Each of these phases has its own characteristics (period duration, intervals, and so on). You can find more detailed information in the table below.

The table shows the average data that are considered the norm during labor. Real time depends on many factors:

the first is childbirth or repeated;
physical readiness;
psychological readiness;
anatomical features and so on.

First and subsequent childbirth

Contractions in primipara (duration of labor, rate of cervical dilatation and many other parameters) are slightly different from those who give birth to a second or third child. The point is that the body has a memory.

If this is not the first time you give birth, the birth canal will open about four hours faster, which means that the period of contractions will be much shorter. This becomes possible, since the internal and external pharynx open simultaneously, and in the primiparous everything happens sequentially. With repeated childbirth, many women note the intensity and active dynamics of contractions. If the difference between babies is about eight to ten years old, then you will hardly feel the difference between the first and subsequent births.

Despite this, it is important to understand that childbirth is a very individual multifactorial process.

Feel

How can a woman recognize contractions? The first thing to look at is the nature of the pain. Contractions before childbirth resemble menstrual pulling pains in the lower abdomen and lower back. Some people additionally feel pressure and heaviness. The first contractions bring discomfort more than painful sensations that appear with an increase in the intensity of contractions. The cause of the pain is the dilatation of the cervix.

With regard to localization, everything is individual here. Some note the wavelike nature of the pain (from the bottom of the uterus, covering the entire abdomen), in others, the place of origin of pain is the lower back or the uterus itself.

Are painless contractions possible?

Pain during contractions is impossible not to feel. What matters is how the woman will handle it. It all depends on:

pain threshold;
emotional maturity;
preparation for the birth process.

If you do not feel contractions, then this indicates the absence of labor; it means that the baby does not want to part with his cozy nest yet.

Sequencing

In the maternity hospital, contractions are strictly controlled by a doctor who monitors their regularity, intensity and intervals between them. But what if you feel contractions at home? Here is the sequence of actions:

Drop your panic.
Make sure these are not fake contractions (a stopwatch will help you with this).
Take your time to pack up at the hospital (plan your arrival at the hospital so that the intervals between contractions are ten minutes, this is about seven hours after the first manifestations; spend the rest of the time on rest).
Take care of hygiene procedures, take a shower.
If this is not the first birth, then you should not wait for the intervals to shorten; with regular contractions, immediately go to the hospital.

Correct posture

How easy is it to transfer contractions before childbirth? There are several ways to relieve pain:

correct posture;
breathing exercises;
massage;
dance;
positive attitude;
focusing the gaze on any subject.

As for the pose, you need a fitness ball (fitball) or wall bars.

Kneel in front of the ball, hug it and rest your head on it. So the stomach sags between the legs, muscles relax, reducing pain, and mom can rest.
Stand with your back to the Swedish wall, grab the crossbar. Begin to slowly go down, bending your knees. Slightly swinging the hips from side to side will also help.

Breath

How easy is it to transfer contractions? There are other effective ways, for example, breathing exercises. As noted earlier, there are certain periods during childbirth. The breathing in each of them is different.

Other methods of pain relief

About how easy it is to transfer contractions, expectant mothers are told in detail in specialized courses.

Massage (more specifically, light stroking of the lower back, shoulders, feet and legs) will help to distract a little from the pain. Any close person (husband, mother, sister, and so on) can do this.

Dancing (more precisely, light, gentle swaying of the hips) will help relieve unbearable pain. You can do this with relaxing calm music.

A positive attitude and understanding that now not only you, but also your child are suffering, will also be a kind of pain reliever. Talk to your baby and strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations.

So the period of pregnancy is coming to an end, the woman is waiting for when, finally, she will see her child. Contractions and the period of childbirth is the most important stage for which the expectant mother must definitely prepare and come up fully armed. Understanding the physiology of the processes occurring in the uterus and other organs of the reproductive system helps many to go through this stage with minimal discomfort.

Labor pain is painful, but it can be significantly reduced by following a few simple rules. The technique of massage, the ability to relax and rest during periods of calm, change of posture and other techniques will greatly facilitate your well-being. But first, about what signs of contractions before childbirth a pregnant woman can feel.

Signs of true contractions

Contractions can be divided into and true. Training contractions of the uterus occur almost from the very beginning of pregnancy, but are felt only from the 20th week. With skillful action, their intensity can be reduced (relaxation techniques, massage, warm bath, changing the type of activity or posture). They do not differ in a clearly traceable frequency, they can disturb several times a day or week. The interval between spasms is not reduced.

True contractions are more pronounced, accompanied by painful sensations. A woman cannot influence their intensity and duration (no technique leads to relaxation of the muscles of the uterus). An important feature of labor contractions is their frequency.

The first signs of contractions before childbirth may resemble a pulling sensation in the lumbar region, passing to the lower abdomen, over time the pain intensifies. The attacks of contractions become longer and more frequent. The interval between contractions at the first stage can be up to 15 minutes, later it is reduced to several minutes. In general, several signs can be distinguished that determine the onset of true uterine contractions, signaling the onset of labor:

Contractions appear at regular intervals.
Over time, the interval between attacks decreases.
The duration of the contraction increases.
Pain syndrome intensifies.

On examination, the obstetrician determines the gradual dilatation of the cervix, in parallel, drainage of water can be observed.

Behavior during labor

The onset of labor is, of course, a very exciting period for a pregnant woman, but it is necessary to concentrate as much as possible and record every contraction of the uterus, the duration of the contraction and the length of the relaxation period. Between contractions, you need to try to relax, breathe deeply in order to supply the muscles with oxygen as much as possible.

You should not immediately call an ambulance and go to the hospital - contractions can last up to 13-15 hours and it is better to spend part of this time at home with loved ones, and not in a hospital ward. Households can support and tune in to the positive, the husband can lend his shoulder and help in finding the most comfortable position.

Comfortable postures for waiting out the period of contractions

At home, you can look for a comfortable body position that will make it easy to wait out the period of contraction of the muscles of the uterus. Here are the most comfortable positions for this period:

Vertical position. You can rest your hands on a wall, headboard, chair and maintain an upright body position during the period of the contraction.
Sitting on a chair. You need to put a pillow under your buttocks and sit on a chair facing the back. During the period of the fight, cross your arms on the back of the chair, and lower your head on your hands. Can be used only in the initial period, when the child is still high enough.
Reliance on her husband. The pregnant woman can put her hands on the shoulders of her husband (both partners are standing), during the fight, the woman bends forward, bends her back in an arc. The husband massages the lower back and shoulders.
On your knees and elbows. Get on all fours and relax all muscles.
On a fitball or toilet. Pregnant women are not recommended to sit during labor, the baby gradually moves along the birth canal and a hard surface can make this process difficult. Therefore, a fitball (a sports ball on which you can sit) is an indispensable item during contractions). In its absence, you can sit on the toilet.
Lying on your side. It is often easier for a woman to endure contractions when she is in a prone position. In this case, it is better to lie on your side with pillows under your hips and head.

Other techniques to wait out the fight

The question of how to facilitate childbirth and contractions worries every woman. There are several techniques to achieve the desired effect.

Walking

No need to lie down during breaks. For labor, it is more useful if the expectant mother is on the move (no need to overdo it - walking at a moderate pace will be quite enough). While walking, the child with his weight will slightly press on the muscles of the cervix, and stimulate its opening. In order not to interfere with the baby, it is better to keep your back as straight as possible (not to hunch over). Heels can help with this, find the highest possible (contractions and childbirth are the only period of pregnancy when they can and even need to be worn). It is noted that women who are on the move during the period of labor give birth faster and easier.

Concentrating on a third-party subject

During the contractions, catch your gaze on an object at eye level (vase, painting, or any other). Distraction can provide relief from labor pains. You can sing (even if there is absolutely no hearing and voice).

The ratio of the contraction and the processes occurring in the body, methods of independent psychological training

Experience each contraction separately, try not to think that the next one is coming soon. Match the pain with a positive memory. You can imagine that this is a wave that rolls onto the shore and then disappears. Relate the contraction to the bud of the flower, which blooms more and more with each attack, and in the center of it is the long-awaited baby. Some women are helped by awareness of the processes that occur at this time in the body. Think that this pain is not an injury, but just the body's reaction to the opening of the cervix and the tension of the uterus itself. Think about the child, the more it hurts you, the easier it is for him to be born.

Massage

Try self-massage techniques:

Press during the period of muscle tension on the point that is located in the most protruding zone of the pelvic bones. The pressure should be strong enough to cause discomfort and slight pain.
Stroke the side of your abdomen with your palms. You can do this both from bottom to top and from top to bottom.
You can do circular stroking of the center of the abdomen with your hands, this will also reduce pain.
Rub your lower back with your fists (knuckles). Movements should be vertical, and the arms should be approximately at the level of the sacral dimples.

Impact on biologically active points

Try distraction and other areas of the body to relieve pain. Some people may not see the connection between the points of action and the muscles that contract during contractions, but it has been practically proven that such a connection exists.

Work on the skin of the forehead - carry out smoothing movements from its center to the area of \ u200b \ u200bthe temples. The pressure should not be strong.
Use your fingers to smooth light movements from the wings of the nose to the temples, this will also allow you to relax.
Use a patting motion in the lower part of your face in the chin area.
Work on the point between your index finger and thumb on either hand. The movements should be pulsating. If it is correctly identified, you will feel pain in response to pressure.

Breathing exercises

Breathing differs depending on the phase of the contractions. There are 3 stages in total:

Initial, it is also called latent or hidden.
Active.
Transient.

After passing through all the phases, the period of fetal expulsion immediately begins. Breathing during labor and childbirth has its own differences. Consider each stage of labor, labor, and breathing during these periods.

Breathing during the initial and active phase of contractions

The duration of the initial phase can last from 7 to 8 hours, during this period, uterine contractions occur regularly every 5 minutes, the contraction itself lasts from half a minute to 45 seconds. Neck opening is observed up to 3 cm.

Further, there is an increase in the frequency of attacks and the active phase begins. It lasts up to 5-7 hours. The intervals between attacks of pain are reduced to 2 minutes, and their duration reaches 60 seconds. The neck continues to open, and the size of the throat reaches 7 cm.

During these periods, a woman should alternate between periods of deep and shallow breathing.

When a contraction occurs, it is necessary to inhale and exhale through the mouth at an accelerated pace (like a dog); during a calm period, it is necessary to breathe deeply and evenly, making an entrance through the nose, and exhaling through the mouth.

Breathing in the transitional phase of contractions

Then comes a period of deceleration (transition phase). By its length, this period rarely lasts more than one and a half hours. Contractions last up to one and a half minutes, and the interval between attacks is from half a minute to a minute. During this time, the neck should open as much as possible (10 cm) in order to let the child pass. Often, a pregnant woman feels unwell, dizziness, chills, nausea. For a woman, this is the most difficult phase, attempts are already felt and they must be restrained until the obstetrician allows the pushing. Otherwise, swelling of the cervix and its numerous ruptures are possible.

Breathing during this period can help control the pushing. To do this, you need to breathe in the following sequence: first, two short breaths, and then a long exhalation.

Breathing during expulsion of the fetus

After the full disclosure of the uterus, the woman should help the baby and begin to push. Contractions during this period are replaced only by short periods of muscle relaxation, but in general they are less painful.

Breathing should oxygenate the muscles as much as possible. To do this, during the period of pushing, you need to take a deep breath, hold your breath and strongly strain all the abdominal muscles. If one breath is not enough, then the woman needs to exhale, take a deep breath 2 times, then hold her breath again and tighten all the muscles. When the fight is over, you need to breathe evenly and calmly.

After the birth of the child, the mother's work does not stop, there is another crucial stage ahead - the birth of the placenta. The process takes place in almost the same way as the birth of a child, only much faster and not as painful. The doctor can additionally inject oxytocin intravenously, which will allow the placenta to be delivered in just one attempt.

Do not be alarmed if, even after the birth of a child, a woman experiences uterine contractions - this is a normal process that stops bleeding and significantly reduces the size of the uterus.

With the correct psychological mood, the necessary knowledge about the birth process, some help from households and medical personnel, the sensations during contractions before childbirth and during the birth itself are transferred quite steadily. By combining breathing techniques and other relaxation techniques, pain can be reduced to discomfort. Many women describe their childbirth something like this: “I never got much pain”; "I thought it would be worse."

Despite the fact that the birth of a child is a natural process, it causes incredible suffering for the mother. Intense labor pains are noted during labor, which can last for a long time, and during the period of contraction.

Is it possible to give birth without pain? How to ease contractions, to endure them more calmly? Can anesthesia be given when it is very painful? What if you are afraid to give birth?

Is natural childbirth possible without pain?

Natural childbirth is always accompanied by severe pain. Their intensity is due to the characteristics of the woman in labor, her pain threshold and state of health. The degree of preparedness of the muscles for the birth process is also important.

Childbirth is divided into three stages:

Contractions. During them, the cervix opens, which has a large number of receptors. The uterus begins to contract, gradually decreasing the time between contractions. The uterine ligaments are stretched, the pressure in the peritoneum increases. Soreness is felt throughout the abdomen, gives to the lower back.
Attempts. The child moves down the birth canal, stretching them. The pain shifts to the vagina, rectum and perineum. It is acute, has precise localization.
The birth of an afterbirth, or a child's place. As a rule, it is completely painless.

Susceptibility to pain can increase if the woman in labor is not mentally ready for them. The state of panic and fear acts negatively - the release of stress and fear hormones adrenaline and cortisol intensifies spasms, it becomes more difficult to endure contractions.

Objectively, pain can be very severe in case of premature delivery, the birth of a large baby, prolonged labor, stimulation of labor with oxytocin, and also if the women had painful periods before pregnancy.

How to facilitate the birth process?

Although the soreness cannot be completely eliminated, it can be reduced. Not only modern medicines come to the rescue, but also the methods of our ancestors.

A woman should be concerned in advance with the question of how to facilitate childbirth and contractions. There are several ways to relieve the birth process that a pregnant woman learns about in a parenting course.

Nature itself helps a woman: her body produces a whole complex of hormones that act as a pain reliever. Correct behavior and breathing do wonders. The woman in labor is no longer so much concentrated on the contractions, she is distracted from the unpleasant sensations. In case of a difficult course of childbirth, there are medical workers nearby who, if necessary, will alleviate the woman's condition with medication. How to behave during contractions and attempts, to make them easier to endure, to make them less painful?

Positive attitude

Remember that childbirth is a normal process of a person's birth, you do not need to be afraid of them. However, you should thoroughly prepare for an important event:

Collect the bag in advance at the hospital. In the case of early birth, you will not have to rush around the house in search of documents and things.
Choose a maternity hospital and an obstetrician. You need to go to the maternity ward and talk to the doctor no later than a month before the upcoming birth.
Decide if the spouse will be present at the birth of the child. If so, then he also needs to undergo psychological training (and do the necessary tests on time). Not all men are morally ready to be close to a woman in labor, so you need to decide on this issue as early as possible. You can take a mother or a close friend as a partner.

How can you help yourself become positive? At the school for pregnant women, the woman will be given advice on how to relieve pain during labor, and will set her up in an optimistic mood. Indeed, very soon she will be able to hug the long-awaited baby to her breast, what could be more beautiful? You need to go to childbirth with such positive thoughts and emotions.

It has been proven that stress and fear negatively affect the dilatation of the cervix. A long process brings unbearable suffering to the woman in labor, delays the time of labor. Many women consider this period more difficult in comparison with attempts, because they pass much faster. Relaxation, calmness and self-confidence will allow you to survive the contractions less painfully.

If fear haunts a pregnant woman, she cannot cope with it on her own, it makes sense to visit a psychologist. As a rule, the specialist accepts in the antenatal clinic. He will tell you how to understand the cause of the anxiety, and set the woman in labor for good emotions.

Preparing muscles for childbirth in the last trimester (exercise, massage, diet)

For childbirth, not only the mind, but also the body must be prepared, because soon he will have hard work. During pregnancy, a woman is advised to monitor her physical health.

Easy to give birth to help:

Daily set of exercises. It aims to strengthen muscles and prevent tearing. The most famous are Kegel exercises for the muscles of the perineum. They have been shown to reduce the risk of damage to this area and help the uterus to heal faster after childbirth.
Vaginal massage using natural oil. It improves the elasticity of tissues, the likelihood of injury during childbirth is markedly reduced.
Compliance with a diet. In the last month of pregnancy, you must strictly adhere to a special diet. It is recommended to give up meat, fish and eggs, limit the use of dairy products, and reduce the intake of salt. Be sure to eat vegetable oils (olive, flaxseed). This menu contributes to good tissue stretching and easy passage of the baby through the birth canal.

Comfortable postures during contractions

During contractions, a woman needs to listen to her body and adopt a position that will allow her to withstand the pain. It is convenient for some to get on all fours with an arched back, for others it is easier to squat. You can lie on your left side and bend your legs under you.

Only in the process of contractions will a woman be able to choose a position that is comfortable for herself. It is necessary to exclude pressure on the abdomen, in all other respects the woman in labor is not limited.

Shower, massage, movement

A warm shower will relax and distract from suffering. Some obstetricians advise sitting in a bathtub filled with warm water, to some extent it will relieve pain. However, this cannot be done if the water has departed.

Close people can give the expectant mother a lower back massage. It is in this area that severe pain is given. During the courses, the partner will be taught how to do a relaxing massage for the woman in labor; it will definitely come in handy during labor.

Moving between contractions will speed up the dilatation of the cervix. You can just walk, climb a ladder or swing on a fitball. You need to stop only for the duration of the contractions, not forgetting to count the intervals between them.

Music and aromatherapy

Music and aromatherapy are a great addition to all of the above methods. They will help you calm down and relax, and this is the key to easy delivery. Experts note that listening to your favorite songs has a positive effect on the course of childbirth.

You can use aromatherapy as a pain reliever. It is believed that jasmine oil accelerates labor, while lavender and bergamot oils soothe. Rose essential oil reduces pain, for this you just need to drop a few drops of the substance into the aroma lamp.

All the fitball!

This is a large ball on which you can lean your elbows during fights, lie down on it (we recommend reading :). When the fight has receded, it is allowed to swing on the fitball or even jump. It relieves stress from the spine well, distracts the woman in labor from pain.

Fitball is now available in almost all birth wards. If this is not provided, you can bring the ball with you, it will certainly come in handy. The fitball should be soft, slightly deflated, and it should be selected taking into account the growth.

Correct breathing and ... singing!

Correct breathing plays an important role in the birth process. The breathing method differs depending on the stage of labor:

Unreasonable use of pain relievers negatively affects the child. No matter how much you would like to eliminate the pain, it is better to endure it than to treat the baby later.