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Preparing for childbirth: everything pregnant women need to know. Preparing for childbirth - practical tips Preparing for childbirth useful tips

Childbirth is a physiological process during which the fetus, placenta with membranes and amniotic fluid are expelled from the uterus through the birth canal. Physiologically, childbirth (occurs on average 280 days (or 40 weeks) after pregnancy, when the fetus becomes mature and fully capable of independent existence.

The fetus is reliably protected by the mother's body from the dangers of the environment. It is in conditions of constant temperature, humidity, sufficient and uniform supply of nutrients. All this allows you to complete its development in the mother's body. The more a woman in labor is afraid of the upcoming birth, the more difficult it will be for her to pull herself together at the most critical moment. Scientists have proven that labor pains are often the result of just such thoughts.

A pregnant woman needs to learn how to relax the muscles of her body with the help of special exercises. But not every woman can do it. Some people have this skill by nature. There is a trend: the higher the level of education of a woman and the more her psyche is shaken, the more difficult it will be for childbirth. That is why it is very important that the pregnancy takes place in the most relaxed atmosphere.

Pregnant women are mainly concerned with two issues: "Does it hurt?" and "How do you know when it starts?" The first question can be answered in the affirmative. Yes, it will hurt, especially in the first few hours, but still tolerable. The second question is more important, but how to answer it when you are either already going to the maternity hospital, or are there?!

There are several signs of an approaching birth. For example, two days before giving birth, a woman may feel an overwhelming urge to clean her house or defrost her refrigerator. Ironically, but in this way nature makes her understand that she is ready for the birth of a child. Another indicator that the lady is approaching the cherished date can be a constant and intensifying state of some excitement. But it's well-founded:

    she sleeps a little and not very well;

    she was tired of being the object of a biological experiment;

    she feels overwhelmed, knows that there is no way out of this state at the moment, and begins to realize, much easier when the child is inside than when he is already born.

    The forerunner of the approaching birth is the departure of the waters. As soon as this happens, you should immediately call the hospital. Those who choose to get to the hospital on their own should never try to drive on the way to the hospital. If it seems that the contractions are not so strong and the woman can drive the car, she still should not drive, because the situation during childbirth changes very quickly. Women in this state are like drunks: it seems to them that they are doing everything right and are fully responsible for their actions, but in fact they rarely own the situation.

    The main advice to give to women who are about to give birth is to try to stand in the shower before leaving, because it will be a long time before the opportunity again presents itself. You can not take a bath if the lady is sure that the water has already departed: you can bring the infection into the uterus.

    Before you go to the hospital, you should take care of what to take with you. First, the clothes should be comfortable: something spacious. A blouse or dress should "breathe" and absorb moisture. Shoes should be in low-heeled shoes, thereby a woman will be able to protect herself and her baby from unforeseen injuries. Secondly, it is better to leave your jewelry at home. Thirdly, you need to bring slippers with you. Slippers should be washable and comfortable. It is better that they are flat, because after childbirth, women do not quickly regain their balance, and their legs need rest.

    Sometimes after giving birth, lips dry up terribly. The body will be severely dehydrated due to the large loss of fluid, and in addition, doctors do not allow to drink during labor and childbirth, so as not to cause nausea. It is worth taking a lip balm with you. It will prevent your lips from drying out and prevent them from cracking. You can also take a comb and the necessary cosmetics with you. It is obligatory to have a passport, an insurance policy and an exchange card for a pregnant woman. In addition to your belongings, you need to take a dowry for the child. The baby will certainly need a vest, diapers, booties and a blanket.
    Now you can safely go to the hospital.

    Childbirth, as a rule, is carried out in a hospital, where all conditions are created for the provision of qualified assistance. Obstetric care is provided in the maternity wards of urban and rural hospitals.
    Childbirth is conducted by a doctor. Only in small institutions, a midwife is entrusted with conducting a normal birth, who calls a doctor if any complications arise.

    It is important to choose a clinic whose doctors can be completely trusted, and whose medical staff is not satisfactory. In some medical institutions, the presence of the husband during childbirth is now allowed. This is a great opportunity for a woman to feel confident, and a man, seeing what his wife has to endure, begins to treat her and the unborn child with more warmth, understanding, tenderness and affection. Women in labor usually enter the maternity hospital at the beginning of the cervical dilation period with an exchange card in their hands, in which the consultation doctor has entered the necessary data on the course of pregnancy.

    In the prenatal room, the anamnestic data are specified, an additional examination of the woman in labor is carried out (the physique, constitution, shape of the abdomen, sacral rhombus, etc. are assessed) and a detailed obstetric examination. Be sure to determine the blood group, Rh factor, produce a study of urine and morphological picture of the blood. Based on these data, an obstetric diagnosis is made.

    The mother is put to bed. It is allowed to get up only when the waters have not broken, not very strong and not very frequent contractions, and subject to fixing the head to the entrance to the pelvis. In the absence of any of these phenomena, the woman in labor lies in bed on her back or on her side in the most convenient position for her. This helps to flex the head and lower it into the pelvis. It is recommended to lie on your back in a position close to sitting.

    The doctor carefully monitors the condition of the woman in labor. He inquires about her well-being (degree of pain, fatigue, dizziness, headache, visual disturbances, etc.), listens to the heart sounds of the fetus. The pulse of the woman in labor is systematically examined. Body temperature is measured 2-3 times a day. It is recommended to count contractions.

    During the opening period, external obstetric and vaginal examinations are performed. The external genital organs of the woman in labor are washed with a disinfectant solution at least 1 time in 5 hours, and also every time after urination and defecation.
    Childbirth is accompanied by a large expenditure of energy, so the woman in labor needs good nutrition. Easily digestible food (jelly, egg broth, semolina, bun, dairy products, sweet tea, etc.) are given in small portions. Often, women in labor refuse to eat. In such cases, it is necessary to explain the harm of fasting and the importance of timely eating. It is very important for a woman in labor to remain calm, cheerful and confident in the successful outcome of childbirth.

    In the period of disclosure, labor anesthesia is used. All modern methods of labor pain relief can be divided into two groups: 1) psychoprophylactic preparation for childbirth; 2) methods of anesthesia with the help of pharmacological agents. The method of verbal influence by suggestion (hypnosis) adjoins the first group. The second group includes the use of analgesic, neuroplegic, psychotropic drugs, regional and conduction anesthesia. Painkillers are administered orally, through the lungs (inhalation), rectum, subcutaneously, intravenously, etc.

    Anesthesia with the help of pharmacological agents requires particularly careful monitoring of the condition of the woman in labor, the heartbeat of the fetus and the nature of labor. If there are any violations, the administration of painkillers is stopped. Tecodin, lidol, isopromedol, baralgin, etc. are used to anesthetize childbirth.

    During the period of exile, the woman in labor is placed on a special bed. Maternity beds have a more or less complex design: they are higher than usual, and the height is adjusted according to need. The woman in labor lies on the delivery bed in a comfortable position for her on her back. By the end of the period of exile, the woman in labor lies on her back, her legs are bent at the hip and knee joints. The head end of the bed is raised; the high position of the upper body facilitates attempts, which contributes to an easier passage of the presenting part of the fetus through the birth canal.

If the birth is not on the delivery bed, an additional pillow should be placed under the head and shoulders of the woman in labor. In time for attempts, the woman in labor should, with her feet bent at the knees, rest against the bed, holding the edges of the bed with her hands.
More recently, a new method of giving birth to a child has appeared in medicine - sitting. This is very convenient for the child himself, as well as for the day of the birth, since in this position she experiences much less pain.

How convenient is this method? Scientists have proven that in the prone position, the uterus of a woman in labor is not sufficiently open for the birth of a child. And in a sitting position, this happens much faster and more painlessly. Unfortunately, this method is not widely used in our country Unfortunately, not everything new in our medicine can be trusted. There is conflicting opinion regarding water birth. It is believed that this has a beneficial effect on the condition of women in labor at the time of childbirth, but the danger is great. First, the composition of water and fruit liquid are different. Secondly, it is very difficult to comply with all disinfection measures. And thirdly, it is not always possible to quickly remove the child from the water, which leads to adverse consequences.

How to give birth?
Nature always warns the expectant mother about the approach of childbirth by the beginning of contractions. A woman who goes into labor with strong contractions can expect to have a baby sooner than a woman in labor who is in mild pain. A woman with a wide pelvis will also have a faster delivery. One of the most important factors is the number of births for a woman. The very first births last the longest. On average, the duration of all births is about ten hours. At the same time, the longest ones last no more than 24 hours, and the shortest - only three to four hours.

A woman can judge the approach of childbirth by a number of the following harbingers.
1. 2-3 weeks before delivery, the bottom of the uterus descends; in this regard, the woman becomes easier to breathe.
2. The presenting part of the fetus also descends in primiparas; the head of the child is pressed tightly against the entrance to the pelvis or even enters it with a small segment. On the eve of childbirth, the uterus is located along the axis of the pelvis, strongly softened throughout, including the area of ​​​​the internal pharynx, the vaginal part. In multiparous, the cervical canal passes a finger. The secretion of the glands of the mucous membrane of the canal of the sheikh of the uterus increases.
Z. Before childbirth, there is often a discharge from the vagina of a stretching, mucous secretion of the glands of the cervix.
4. At the end of pregnancy, many women begin to feel, taking on the character of pulling pains in the sacrum and lower abdomen before childbirth. Precursor contractions differ from labor contractions: they are weak, short, not regular, do not lead to smoothing of the uterine cervix, opening of the pharynx and the formation of a fetal bladder.
5. Body weight before childbirth goes down. This is due to the removal of water from the body.
The most striking harbingers of childbirth are irregular contractions of the uterus and the discharge of cervical mucus (mucus plug) from the vagina. The onset of labor is characterized by the onset of painful contractions of the muscles of the uterus, first at regular intervals of 10-15 minutes, and then at shorter intervals. These contractions are called contractions.

When contractions begin, you should not panic, even if they began in the middle of the night or far from the maternity hospital. Without wasting time on fuss and fears, you need to calmly pack up and go to the maternity hospital.
The farther from the hospital is a woman, the earlier you should hit the road. If there were any deviations from the normal course of pregnancy, then the doctor of the antenatal clinic should recommend early hospitalization before the onset of signs of childbirth.

Sometimes, before the onset of contractions, the fetal membranes rupture. At the same time, a certain amount of light liquid flows out of the vagina. In such cases, we are talking about prenatal rupture of amniotic fluid. This is not very good, because the barrier in front of the uterine cavity, where the baby is located, disappears, and, therefore, there is a risk of microbes entering the uterus and infecting the fetus. A woman who has had an outpouring of water should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.

Childbirth is the process of passage of a child through the birth canal. A woman's body prepares for childbirth throughout pregnancy. Hormones appear in the blood, the action of which on the uterus leads to its muscle contractions, as a result of which the cervix opens and the baby moves down. Metabolic processes change in the soft tissues of the birth canal, the tissues become more elastic and extensible. even the cartilages that connect the bones of the pelvis become less rigid, and the birth canal becomes a little more spacious. Childbirth is always accompanied by the loss of a certain amount of blood, but since during pregnancy the volume of blood in a woman's body increases by almost 1.5 times, this blood loss is almost imperceptible for her.

In childbirth, three periods are distinguished: the first is the period of disclosure, the second is the period of exile, the third is the subsequent period.
The opening period begins with the first regular contractions and ends with the complete opening of the external os of the cervix.

The period of exile begins from the moment the cervix is ​​fully dilated and ends with the birth of the child.
The afterbirth period begins from the moment the child is born and ends with the expulsion of the placenta.
And now let's talk about this in more detail.

1. Disclosure period.
By the beginning of childbirth, the uterus occupies almost the entire abdominal cavity, stretches the abdominal wall, deviates one of the side surfaces to the right or left and anteriorly.
In the first stage of labor, there is a gradual smoothing of the cervix, opening the pharynx of the cervical canal to a degree sufficient to expel the fetus from the uterine cavity, establishing the head in the pelvic inlet.
During this period, the woman feels contractions. Due to contractions, the cervix opens, which is necessary to push the fetus and placenta out of the uterine cavity. Contractions occur involuntarily, the woman in labor cannot control them at will. Each fight develops in a certain sequence:
uterine contractions gradually increase, reach the highest degree, then the muscles relax and turn into a labor pause. When examining by hand, you can see how the uterus thickens, becomes hard, then gradually relaxes.
At the beginning of childbirth, each contraction lasts 10-15 s, by the end of them - an average of 1 / min. Pauses between contractions at the beginning of labor last 10-15 minutes, then shorten; by the end of the period of expulsion of the fetus, contractions occur after 2-3 minutes and even more often. During contractions, intrauterine pressure increases in a woman in labor.
It is very important to remember that the woman in labor must, from the very beginning, have full confidence in the doctor and midwife in charge of the birth and follow their instructions completely. When contractions begin, a woman needs to breathe deeply, and in the interval between contractions, relax as much as possible.

2. The period of exile.
It is the most critical for the child. After the outflow of water, the contractions stop for a while. The walls of the uterus become thicker and more closely in contact with the fetus. Usually at the end of pregnancy before childbirth, the baby turns upside down in the uterus, but sometimes it can remain in a different position - head up. In the first case, he is born head first, and in the second, the buttocks and legs come out first.

A woman in exile should help a child. At the moment of the next contraction, which is the most important component of the expelling forces, it is necessary to take a deep breath with a full chest, close your mouth and push with all your might. It is very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly. If you start pushing too early and without control, you can feel tired early, labor will be delayed, and you will suffer.

The second component of the expelling forces are attempts - contraction of the striated muscles of the abdominal press and diaphragm. Attempts occur reflexively due to irritation by the presenting part of the fetus of the nerve elements embedded in the cervix. There are attempts involuntarily, but you can regulate them (strengthen or slow down), and play a role only in the period of expulsion of the fetus and in the postpartum period. During labor, the intra-abdominal pressure rises.

When a child is born, he starts screaming, which means that he takes the first breath in his life. The cry of a newborn is his breath. As soon as the baby is born, the umbilical cord, through which he was connected to the uterus, is clamped and cut. The baby no longer needs to be connected to the mother's body - because now he receives oxygen through his own lungs, and he will be breast-fed or bottle-fed.

3. The subsequent period.
A few minutes after the birth of the child, the period of the birth of the placenta and fetal membranes begins. There is an expression: "born in a shirt", so they say about a happy person. If during childbirth there was no rupture of the membranes, which is extremely rare, then the child is born in a dense shell - a “shirt”. If you do not free him from it, he will not be able to start breathing on his own and may die. In the afterbirth period, the placenta and membranes are separated from the walls of the uterus and the exfoliated placenta is expelled from the uterus through the birth canal.

A few minutes after the birth of the child, subsequent contractions begin. During subsequent contractions, the entire uterine musculature is reduced, including the area of ​​\u200b\u200battachment of the placenta, which is called the placental membrane. The placenta does not have the ability to contract, so it is shifted from the narrowing of the attachment site. With each contraction, the placental area decreases, the placenta forms folds that protrude into the uterine cavity, and, finally, exfoliate from its wall. The placenta exfoliates in the so-called spongy (spongy) layer.

Violation of the connection between the placenta and the uterine wall is accompanied by rupture of the uteroplacental vessels in the area of ​​​​the separated placenta. The blood that has poured out of the vessels accumulates between the placenta and the uterus and contributes to the further separation of the placenta from the place of attachment. Separation of the placenta from the uterine wall occurs either from its center or from its edge.

The placenta exits the lower genital tract with the lower edge forward; the location of the membranes is preserved in the form in which they were in the uterus (introductory - inside, decidual - outside). Separation of the placenta in another way is less common.
The expulsion of the afterbirth, separated from the walls of the uterus, in addition to contractions, is facilitated by attempts. Reflex contraction of the abdominal muscles occurs as a result of the displacement of the separated placenta into the lower segment of the uterus and into the vagina and irritation of the receptors of these sections of the birth canal. In the process of separation of the placenta, the severity of the placenta itself and the resulting retroplacental hematoma are of auxiliary importance.

In normal childbirth, separation of the placenta from the uterine wall is observed only in the third stage of labor. In the first and second stages of labor, placental abruption does not occur, despite strong contractions and the addition of attempts during the period of fetal expulsion. This is explained by the fact that the place of attachment of the placenta during the period of disclosure and expulsion is reduced less than other parts of the uterus; Separation of the placenta is also prevented by intrauterine pressure.

The subsequent period is characterized by the release of blood from the uteroplacental vessels, the integrity of which is violated during placental abruption. In the normal course of the succession period, blood loss is 100-300 ml, an average of 250 ml. This blood loss is physiological and natural, it does not adversely affect the woman's body. After expulsion of the placenta, the uterus enters a state of prolonged contraction, the contracted uterine fibers and bundles compress the lumen of the gaping vessels, and therefore the bleeding stops.

Usually, fetal membranes with a placenta are born after the birth of a child. When the baby is already in the arms of the obstetrician, the muscles close the blood vessels and the bleeding stops. The doctor carefully examines the placenta and membranes. If there is any doubt that the placenta or membranes have been completely expelled, a manual check of the uterine cavity is performed. This manipulation is performed under anesthesia. It is also checked whether there have been ruptures of the soft tissues of the birth canal during childbirth, and, if necessary, sutures are applied.

In severe cases, when natural childbirth is impossible for a number of reasons, a so-called caesarean section is prescribed. This operation should not be feared, especially if a woman trusts the competence of her doctor, otherwise it should not be.







When pregnancy comes to its logical conclusion, every woman begins to experience worries about the upcoming birth. Even those women in labor who have already gone through this process and have children cannot avoid certain fears and questions. After all, every time childbirth takes place in its own way, and it is impossible to predict exactly how everything will be in this case. And therefore, from about the thirty-fourth week, it is necessary to start attending courses for pregnant women, passing online seminars on this topic and studying other information posted on forums and various sites. In general, preparation for childbirth should take several weeks. What needs to be included in it is described in this article.

Let's talk about the birth process

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, they are taught breathing exercises and try to reduce the level of fear among primiparas. However, in fact, many pregnant women note that they did not have enough information on how to properly respond to everything that happens to the body and control this process. After all, it is known that those women who take an active part in childbirth go through them more painlessly and have every chance of avoiding breaks.

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

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

Of course, expectant mothers have a lot of questions regarding childbirth. Many of them are embarrassed to ask, 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 it very seriously in preparation for childbirth and be sure to allocate time for this, even if she works until the last days of bearing the crumbs.

Date of birth: calculate the exact day the baby was born

In childbirth preparation courses, specialists only briefly touch on the estimated date when you can expect the onset of labor. 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 are worried that contractions may start unexpectedly, they will not have time to get to the hospital and this will harm the baby. Therefore, expectant mothers begin to fall into two extremes: they insist on hospitalization several weeks in advance, or they are so worried that they provoke premature birth in themselves with such a condition. To avoid such problems, it is necessary to clearly understand when to expect contractions.

So, first of all, the expectant mother should know that the obstetrician installed and the ultrasound examination cannot be considered accurate. A very small percentage of women give birth at this time, but it allows you to navigate in weeks and be ready to leave for the maternity hospital at the right time.

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

  • Early maturity. This category includes children born in the period from the thirty-seventh to the thirty-eighth week and six days. Babies are fully viable and ready to exist outside the mother. In their condition, they are no different from children who were born later.
  • Full delivery. Most newborns delight their mothers with the appearance of thirty-nine to forty weeks and six days. This interval is considered classic and by this time the woman should be fully prepared for the upcoming process.
  • Late term. If your baby has decided to be born at forty-one weeks or forty-one weeks and six days, then do not worry. The baby did not linger inside you at all, he just waited in the wings, which is quite within the norm.
  • Postmaturity. Within forty-two weeks, doctors usually diagnose postmaturity. But for this diagnosis, they conduct a lot of additional examinations to eliminate the error in setting the estimated date of birth.

Based on the information received, preparation for childbirth should be completely completed by the thirty-sixth week. From this period, the pregnant woman should be more often at home or in the circle of close people who will help her in case of contractions. 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 idea that preparation for childbirth consists in moral and informational preparation. In no course should you be given any pills, advise infusions or decoctions for a speedy resolution of the burden. Such intervention 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.

We are going to the hospital: we will discuss the harbingers

Information about how childbirth is going usually reassures women. After all, owning it, they know exactly what to expect, and will be able to classify the problem if it occurs.

So, childbirth should be expected in speed if you notice that it has become easier for you to breathe. This is due to the fact that the baby's head descends into the pelvic region and the stomach, as if, is located lower than usual. This can happen two to three weeks before delivery. Sometimes expectant mothers notice that the stomach 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 tinge, and are often white. In this way, the mucous plug leaves, which throughout the entire pregnancy prevented the penetration of any infections from the vagina into the uterus.

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

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

First of all, pay attention to bloody discharge from the vagina and discharge of amniotic fluid. They can move away immediately or flow out gradually, but it is difficult to confuse them with something else. Amniotic fluid should be transparent, small white lumps of primordial lubricant are acceptable. But the greenish or brown color of the liquid is a danger signal. It means that meconium got into the amniotic fluid and the baby risks his life every minute. In this case, it is important to get under the supervision of doctors as soon as possible, warning them by phone about your condition.

Regular contractions also become an occasion to immediately go to the maternity hospital. They always go on increasing, gradually reducing the intervals to ten minutes. If you notice that the pain is getting stronger, then it's time to go to the hospital. However, before that, be sure to do 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 the preparation courses for childbirth, many experts say that you can refuse an enema. However, midwives always note that such a solution is fraught with problems during attempts. Since the baby presses on the intestines during passage through the birth canal, all its contents in the process may involuntarily come out. Therefore, this delicate issue should be resolved in favor of an enema.

Packing a bag for the hospital

Any woman who has attended childbirth preparation courses knows pretty well what to take with her. However, it should be borne in mind that the list of things must be checked against the one located in the hospital where you plan to give birth. Each institution has the right to impose certain restrictions, so in this section we will provide a fairly generalized list of things needed in a hospital.

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

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

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

Making a decision about anesthesia

All women dream of childbirth without pain. But, unfortunately, this natural process cannot take place without pain. However, at the moment there are a number of techniques to reduce discomfort. They are divided into non-drug and pharmacological.

The first is always told in some detail in prenatal schools. These include massage of certain points on the body, hypnosis, meditation, self-hypnosis, acupuncture and others. Depending on your preferences, you can choose the most effective method of anesthesia for you. However, keep in mind that you need to work it out for several months, otherwise in a stressful situation you will forget about everything that you were taught in the courses.

There are quite a few pharmacological methods to anesthetize childbirth. But obstetricians and ordinary women often argue about them. Despite the fact that the effect of the drugs used on the body of the future mother and baby is well studied, it is believed that the introduction of drugs has a negative effect on labor activity. Often, doctors write that the use of medications that reduce sensitivity causes various injuries and provokes numerous tears during attempts. Therefore, in any case, the decision always remains with the obstetricians who take birth. Only they can administer this or that drug to you, but if you refuse to insist, it’s still not worth it - specialists are responsible for you and the health of the newborn.

How is childbirth going?

The expectant mother should be fully aware of what lies ahead for her during the birth process. It is best that she takes an active part in everything that happens. This is the key to a successful resolution of the burden and successful cooperation with doctors. They argue that trained women behave more calmly and confidently. They listen carefully to midwives and follow all their recommendations. Therefore, we will consider all three stages of childbirth and talk about what will happen at each of them.

First stage

The contraction period is the first and longest. Women giving birth for the first time note that it lasts up to twelve hours. The next time this stage is reduced to seven to ten hours. During this time, the cervix dilates and prepares to let the baby through. The preparation of the cervix for childbirth occurs gradually to exclude 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 cervix opens, they go every minute and last up to sixty seconds.

Second phase

Attempts become the second stage of childbirth. Its duration depends on the physiological characteristics of the woman and how she will 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 lack oxygen, and therefore it is necessary to help him to be born. Attempts are an involuntary contraction of the muscles, which allows you to literally push the crumbs out. A woman can and should control 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 the female body must still reject the placenta. This process usually stretches for thirty minutes, and the doctor who came out carefully examines it so that not a single piece remains inside, which can lead to an inflammatory process and bleeding in the future.

Third stage

At the third stage of childbirth, the woman is examined for ruptures, checking and carrying out manipulations with the baby. About two hours after birth, the mother spends under the supervision of doctors and with a dropper. If everything is in order, then the woman will be transferred to another department, where a baby will be brought to her in a few hours.

The truth about partnerships

One can argue endlessly about their necessity, but if we are talking about preparing for childbirth, then it is better for a pregnant woman to go through it with some close person. It has been proven that in a stressful situation, which, undoubtedly, is childbirth, a woman is well influenced by the presence of a loved one. In addition, a partner can not only help a woman in labor, but also partly control the actions of doctors. Unfortunately, they are not always professionals in their field, and the presence of an adequate person in the delivery room can be fatal.

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 with you.

Preparing for childbirth: what to do

Childbirth is not only a serious emotional stress, but also a physical burden on the body. If you are well prepared for it, then it is likely that everything will go well, and the recovery process will not take much time. Not the last role in the resolution of the burden is the preparation of the uterus for childbirth. You can learn about the methods and exercises that contribute to this in courses for pregnant women. Typically, a gymnastics complex combines yoga, Kegel exercises and stretching. However, do not practice at home. Remember that such physical activity should be supervised by specialists. Otherwise, you may go into premature labor. Preparing the cervix is ​​a long process. It takes at least three months.

If you are afraid of tears 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. The procedure usually involves dipping your fingers into oil and slowly stretching the back of your vagina. The process can be accompanied by pressure and last about ten minutes. Judging by the reviews, women highly appreciate Weleda oil to prepare for childbirth. It is sterile, softens tissues and increases their elasticity. Oil "Weleda" (to prepare for childbirth) does not cause allergies and can later be used as a regular care product.

Choose courses and maternity hospital

Today, women can choose the institution in which they plan to give birth. Do not refuse this opportunity and read reviews on the forums, visit the maternity hospital and learn about its rules, and also talk with doctors. It is better if you already know people to take delivery. This provides a special level of emotional stability and a sense of peace.

There are also quite a few courses for pregnant women. They have different orientations and accents, so the choice always remains with the woman. However, keep in mind that a good childbirth school should include the following points in its program:

  • breathing techniques;
  • study of the stages of childbirth;
  • methods of pain relief by massage and other methods;
  • features of newborn care;
  • differences between normal and pathological births.

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

Childbirth is a short but important final stage of pregnancy. Therefore, preparation for childbirth, as well as, is extremely important for their successful implementation. Better spend enough time preparing than to regret later about the possible consequences. In order to avoid a large number of problems, it is necessary to clearly understand how to prepare for childbirth.

Preliminary preparation for childbirth includes physical and psychological components. The importance of each of them is difficult to overestimate. Unfortunately, a large number of doctors still do not recognize the importance of preparing for the birth process, citing the fact that the body is able to cope on its own. However, for a successful outcome of childbirth, as well as for minimizing the number of possible complications, preparation will be far from superfluous.

A positive attitude during pregnancy helps a woman to endure the entire period of childbirth more easily, as well as minimize it for psychological reasons. Women in labor who are ready for delivery from the moral side, behave more actively during contractions and attempts, and, accordingly, make it easier for the child to pass through the birth canal.

Therefore, psychological preparation for childbirth plays a huge role in the successful completion of the process. Before as start working on the moral aspect, you should assess the level of readiness for the most important day. It is important to approach this issue as objectively as possible, and perhaps ask your loved ones to look from the outside.

How to determine readiness level

A low readiness level is indicated by:

  • severe psycho-emotional state;
  • annoying feelings about your life and the life of the baby;
  • ignoring objective facts for the sake of myths;
  • the presence of panic manifestations;
  • strong fear of pain;
  • aggressive attitude towards the father of the child, and possibly the unborn baby;
  • categorical refusal to make contact with medical personnel.

Only a psychologist can answer how to mentally prepare for childbirth in this case. Because It is extremely difficult to fix this condition on your own. and often impossible. It is important to understand that constant stress can lead to.

Average level of readiness:

  • the predominance of positive emotions;
  • the constant presence of hesitation and doubt;
  • self-doubt;
  • exposure to any information, both objective and subjective.

With an average level of readiness, it is important to get comprehensive support from loved ones, and you can also visit a psychologist for preventive measures.

Signs of a high level of readiness include:

  • being in high spirits throughout the entire period of pregnancy;
  • full and comprehensive theoretical and practical preparation for childbirth;
  • mood for active participation in the process;
  • willingness to cooperate with medical personnel.

This readiness level does not require adjustment. It is important to keep it until the very moment of childbirth. Psychoprophylactic preparation for childbirth in this case is not necessary. Can only recommend watching motivational programs and videos, communication with positive people.

Physiological preparation for childbirth

An active lifestyle has already become habitual for the vast majority of people. It's no secret that in order to maintain your body in a state of health, regular physical activity is essential. The state of pregnancy is no exception. After all, childbirth is primarily hard physical labor.

If a woman did not engage in sports activities before pregnancy, then you should not start quickly. In an interesting position, a woman should take good care of your body, and dose the load. However, evening walks are shown at any time. If there are no contraindications, then it is desirable to visit the pool and perform special gymnastics.

It is important to understand that up to the process of formation of the placenta, and therefore the risk of abortion is very high. All this period of physical activity should be minimized, and possibly eliminated.

Preparation for childbirth and courses for pregnant women, videos of which can also be found on the Internet, will be good helpers in the matter of physical preparation for childbirth. There you can learn a lot about special breathing techniques, as well as exercises that prepare the woman's body for the process of delivery.

Exist contraindications for physical activity during pregnancy:

  • risk of abortion;
  • complicated course of pregnancy, including;
  • chronic diseases in the period of exacerbation;
  • periodic increase or decrease in pressure;
  • inflammatory process.

Physical activities should not exceed a half-hour period. Need closely monitor the deterioration. If you experience pain in the lower abdomen or dizziness, classes should be stopped.

If dizziness persists for half an hour, or bleeding from the vagina appears, you should immediately call an ambulance or go to the hospital yourself (depending on the severity of the condition).

Breathing exercises can be attributed directly to the physiological preparation for childbirth. Breathing exercises are related to. It is breathing practices aimed at relaxation that will show you how to prepare for childbirth without pain.

Preparation of the birth canal

Preparing the perineum for childbirth is one of the key stages in preparing a woman for labor. It is the internal muscles of the woman that will be involved in the last stage of attempts, and the ability to produce a child without breaks depends on the elasticity of the tissues of the vagina.

There are a number of activities that prepare the birth canal:

  • Timely treatment of infectious and inflammatory processes. A protracted inflammatory process can reduce the elasticity of tissues, and, accordingly, lead to ruptures.
  • Performing a Kegel exercise for training internal muscles. The success of attempts at the birth of a child, as well as tissue repair after childbirth, depends on the work of the muscles of the vagina.

  • Perineal massage with special oils. The impact on the tissues of the vagina and anus with the help of massage manipulations increases elasticity and helps to minimize the occurrence of abrasions and tears.
  • Preparing the cervix for childbirth. At home, this can be done through regular intercourse without the use of contraceptives. Male sperm helps ripen the cervix and soften it for later opening.
  • Taking special vitamins It is recommended to start taking vitamin E and fish oil in the third trimester. Both vitamins help improve the elasticity of the birth canal.

Preparing for the hospital: what to bring with you to the hospital

For the entire period of waiting for the baby, you have probably already learned everything about childbirth and preparation for childbirth. Now it’s worth learning more about how to prepare for a trip to the hospital and what to take with you. Often, each medical institution provides lists necessary things for expectant mothers. However, there are things that will be needed in any maternity hospital.

Things needed in the hospital:

  • 2 nightgowns, providing for the possibility of breastfeeding;
  • robe;
  • rubber slippers;
  • postpartum pads (some maternity hospitals require homemade pads from a cut of clean and ironed fabric);
  • moisture-absorbing diapers from 20 pcs;
  • wet and dry wipes;
  • liquid soap for yourself and your baby;

  • paper towels;
  • personal hygiene items;
  • special disposable shorts (5-6 pieces);
  • 2 sets of bed linen for the mother and 1 for the child;
  • things for the child (undershirts, sliders, hats, socks);
  • baby diapers;
  • set of dishes;
  • drinking water;
  • necessary medicines for the mother (if necessary).

The list of necessary things varies depending on the maternity hospital, so it is worth visiting it in advance and clarifying what things you need to bring with you.

Nutrition before childbirth

The recommendations of older generations about the need to eat a pregnant woman in double volume have long gone. Of course, fasting also has no place in a woman's life. However, most doctors agrees that nutrition should be varied and rich in vitamins and micronutrients. The diet shortly before the expected date of birth should also be slightly adjusted.

How to eat before childbirth:

  • About a month before birth, nutritionists advise switch to lighter and faster-digesting foods. Unloading does not fit.
  • Increased stress on the intestines should be avoided, as well as eating before bedtime.

For the prevention of hemorrhoids, it is useful to introduce olive oil into the diet.

  • Better commit gradual transition from meat to vegetable diet with lots of dairy products. A week before the expected date of birth, it is better to give preference to a vegetarian menu.
  • After the onset of contractions, it is better to refuse food altogether.. In extreme cases, you can eat something small and light. If the contractions are already strong and childbirth is close, then eating can cause vomiting.

Preparing husband for childbirth

So, the preparation for childbirth is completed, but what you need to know about preparing your partner for the upcoming birth. Primarily, it is worth deciding whether you want to give birth together, and, accordingly, who will be present in the delivery room. Most often, the choice falls on the spouse, because every pregnant woman wants to receive support from her other half. But here a natural question arises: is the husband ready for such tests?

It is important to understand that childbirth itself is a huge stressor. And for men, this stress is many times higher. In addition to the fact that one has to watch far from pleasant procedures, the sight of a tormented wife does not add optimism either. Before childbirth it is important to have an honest and frank conversation with your husband regarding his willingness to endure with you all the hardships of the birth process. And if there is no such confidence, then perhaps it is worth taking a close woman, for example, a mother, with you to give birth.

Of course, the husband must be ready not only from the psychological side, but also from the physical side. It is not advisable to invite a physically unhealthy person to the maternity hospital.

The partner must have a fresh fluorography result with him to be present in the maternity hospital. It must be completed in advance.

How the birth will go, how to prepare for the birth, whether there will be complications - all these thoughts create stress for the mother. Therefore, it is important to maintain a positive attitude and focus on a successful outcome. Of course, preparation for childbirth is not only desirable, but also necessary. Having a base of theoretical knowledge and a prepared body, a woman can be sure of a successful outcome of the entire event.

Attending specialized courses will be a huge plus in preparation for childbirth. Regarding their implementation, you can ask your gynecologist.

Video about preparing for childbirth

We offer you a video that will allow you to better understand exactly how childbirth takes place, how best to prepare for it, as well as how to experience each stage of childbirth with maximum comfort and minimize pain during the process itself.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of preparing for childbirth. However, I would like to know about your personal experience. Have you prepared for childbirth and how exactly? Did the preparation help? What advice would you give expectant mothers?

The birth of a child is a very responsible process and, therefore, requires careful preparation. When I asked my mother if she was preparing for childbirth, she told me how she and dad bought me a dowry, a crib, a stroller and other essentials. The fact that you need to train the vaginal muscles or prepare the breast for feeding, my mother learned after giving birth.

Indeed, thirty years ago, primiparous women knew very little about childbirth and its consequences. And their husbands are even less so. Our mothers perceived childbirth as something terrible, but necessary. They put up with the inevitable consequences of childbirth, such as perineal rupture, severe pain and birth trauma in a child, believing that there was simply no other way out. Fortunately, a lot has changed in recent years. Not only expectant mothers, but also their partners are increasingly thinking about how to turn childbirth into a holiday that will be remembered for a lifetime. In fact, if you prepare in advance, you can eliminate or minimize all the unpleasant consequences of childbirth.

During pregnancy and childbirth, metamorphoses affect the entire body of the expectant mother. The belly is rapidly increasing in size, and the breast is preparing to feed the baby. In addition, the expectant mother should learn to control her breathing and intimate muscles, then nothing will overshadow the celebration of the birth of your child and help you quickly recover after childbirth.

Breast preparation for childbirth

During pregnancy, not only the stomach, but also the breasts increase significantly in size. The mammary gland consists of 15-20 glandular lobules and muscle mass. Now your breasts are preparing for lactation, the milk lobules are significantly increasing in size, sometimes in the middle or late periods, colostrum begins to be produced in women. Very often, young mothers in the first days of breastfeeding face a number of difficulties: the child refuses to breastfeed, the nipples crack and hurt, etc. To avoid these troubles and quickly establish breastfeeding, breasts should be prepared for feeding during pregnancy.

Here much depends on the individual characteristics of the structure of the chest. For some women, the shape of the breast is ideal for breastfeeding. But, unfortunately, such a chest is quite rare. In modern mothers (primiparous), one can often observe a flat or inverted nipple. In this case, it is difficult for the child, and sometimes it is simply impossible to capture it with his mouth. To help the baby get food, the mother should prepare the nipples for feeding during pregnancy. To do this, you can wear special pads that stretch the nipple, or pull it out with a breast pump. It is desirable to do this from the 20th to the 36th week of pregnancy. After the 36th week, it is better not to stimulate the breast so as not to provoke.

In order to avoid cracked nipples and pain during feeding, it is useful to massage the breast under a contrast shower. The movements should be circular and directed from top to bottom, towards the middle of the chest. It is undesirable to wash the nipple and areola with soap, as it dries the skin and leads to the formation of cracks. After a shower, it is useful to rub the nipples with a terry towel. In addition, recently a special oil has appeared on sale to prepare the nipples for feeding. If this oil is applied after a shower from the 30-36th week of pregnancy, it will help prevent nipple injuries and pain during feeding.

After the glandular lobules decrease and return to their original state. Only in very rare cases, they become even slightly smaller than the prenatal size. But muscle tissue already during pregnancy, under the influence of the heavy weight of the breast and a number of other factors, decreases and weakens. It is the lack of muscle tissue that causes the reduction and sagging of the breast after the cessation of lactation. And, as a rule, the larger the breast, the more it sags, since more elastic muscles are required to maintain it. Lactation in itself does not have a very strong effect on the breast. But sometimes women themselves involuntarily spoil their breasts. There are a few simple rules that must be followed to reduce the risk of injury to the breast.

First, you need to choose the right bra. As early as the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy, you may need a larger bra. But in addition to the size, it is necessary to change the style of underwear. During pregnancy, it is better to give preference to closed models, pitted, with wide straps, with an adjustable fastener and an elastic back that supports the chest. By the way, during feeding and in the last weeks before childbirth, it is advisable to support the breast around the clock. Only at night you need to choose a more free model. Secondly, it is desirable to abandon manual pumping. During feeding, the child practically does not harm the breast and does not injure the mammary gland, and when manually pumping, the woman stretches the muscles very much, which then rarely return to their original state. Therefore, for pumping, it is desirable to use breast pumps that imitate sucking movements. And, thirdly, follow the basic rules of hygiene and avoid milk stagnation from the first days.

Intimate muscles, Kegel exercises

Intimate or, in scientific terms, perineococcygeal muscles, include sphincter muscles, input and internal muscles of the vagina. The more elastic the muscles, the easier and more painless the birth and the less the risk of ruptures. In addition, trained vaginal muscles normalize blood circulation in the lower spine, thereby preventing development, reduce menstrual pain, and protect against a whole bunch of gynecological diseases. You have no idea how stretched and relaxed these muscles are during pregnancy and especially during natural childbirth! Thanks to trained vaginal muscles, childbirth in Eastern women is quite quick and painless, and ruptures or episiotomy of the perineum are extremely rare, which cannot be said about European women. In addition, stretched vaginal muscles make it difficult to achieve orgasm (both male and female).

A serious program for imbuilding (training of intimate muscles) was developed by the famous gynecologist Arnold. Now his exercises are included in the programs of many schools for expectant mothers. First of all, you need to feel what kind of muscles they are and how to train them. While sitting on the toilet, try to delay urination several times. This tightens the input muscles of the vagina. The field of how you felt these muscles, you can train them not only in the toilet. Try to squeeze the input muscles with maximum force and hold them in a tense state for ten seconds to five minutes. At the same time, try to breathe evenly and do not hold your breath. Perform this exercise in different positions (lying, sitting, standing) at least 20 times a day.

The next exercise is to alternately compress the sphincter muscles (near the anus) and the inlet vaginal muscles. Tighten the sphincter muscles quickly and relax them just as quickly. Then do the same with the vaginal muscles. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times. After that, you can proceed to the simultaneous training of intimate muscles and breathing. Exhale - hold your breath - squeeze the inlet vaginal muscles - inhale without relaxing the muscles - relax the muscles - exhale. Repeat the exercises with the sphincter muscles. These exercises develop skills that will be useful to you in attempts. They will teach you how to control your muscles during childbirth. By the end of your pregnancy, you will find it difficult to do these exercises. This is because all the soft tissues around the vagina swell as the baby puts pressure on the bottom. It `s naturally. And right after giving birth, it will be difficult for you to feel these muscles. But this does not mean that they have disappeared forever. Just start doing intimate exercises, and pretty quickly everything will return to normal.

Belly and spine

For the next nine months, your belly will be your baby's home. It will grow with your child. As the belly increases, the center of gravity of the future mother is redistributed and she involuntarily wants to lean forward, stoop and take a more comfortable position. Despite the fact that the stomach grows forward, it puts a lot of stress on the spine. If it has become difficult for you to carry a pregnant belly, then it's time to take care of. It is the bandage that relieves the load from the lower back, regulates the center of gravity and makes it easier for the expectant mother to bear the heavy burden of her own abdomen. Doctors recommend wearing a bandage regularly, starting from the second half of pregnancy (approximately at 28-30 weeks). But if a woman feels heaviness, then it is absolutely not necessary to wait for the second half of pregnancy - you can put on a bandage as soon as the need arises. Just be sure to check with your doctor. Regardless of the style of the bandage, it must be worn lying down. When a woman stands up, the muscles under the pressure of the abdomen are stretched, and it is desirable to maintain them in their original state. The bandage should not cause discomfort, squeeze the vessels or put too much pressure on the stomach. If the bandage fits the size and is properly worn, then the woman should not feel uncomfortable. If after removing the bandage, red streaks remain on the skin or you constantly want to remove the bandage, it is recommended to upgrade to a larger model. A properly selected bandage is completely harmless to the child and does not prevent him from moving freely.

Special relaxation exercises will help you relieve the load from the spine. Get on your knees, resting on your hands. Try to relax your back muscles (without bending your spine). Try to keep your head, neck and spine in line. Then gently arch your spine upward ("cat's back") and just as smoothly return to the starting position. Repeat this exercise 5-10 times. Then gently rock your hips from side to side. Turn your head and hips to the right (as if you want to see your ponytail), then to the left. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Then combine the arching of the spine and the smooth swing of the hips. This exercise is especially useful in the last trimester of pregnancy. It helps the baby to get in the "front" position relative to the frontal curve of your abdomen, which is considered the most favorable for childbirth.

Another nuisance of a rapidly growing belly is stretch marks. Experts believe that skin elasticity is a hereditary factor. It is from the genes, in the first place, that it depends how your skin is prone to stretch marks. However, you can fight your own genes with modern cosmetics.

Breathe deep

The ability to breathe correctly contains the key to the health and harmony of the expectant mother and child. In the next nine months and during childbirth, you will have to breathe not only for yourself, but also for your baby. And the state of your baby depends on how your breathing will be (smooth and calm or frequent and intermittent). If in ordinary life we ​​use shallow (abdominal) breathing, now it is very important to learn chest (diaphragmatic) breathing. Place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. Take a short breath in through your nose, then a long breath out through your mouth. Then take a deep breath in through your nose and a long breath out through your mouth. In this case, the hand lying on the stomach should not move, and the hand lying on the chest should rise and fall along with the diaphragm. Repeat each exercise 10 times. It is very helpful to sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, relax and take a deep breath. A few minutes of such breathing a day will help you calm down and relieve internal tension.

In addition, proper breathing will help you control yourself during childbirth and reduce the pain of contractions. At all times, in preparation for childbirth, special attention was paid to proper breathing. This is an ancient method of psychophysiological self-regulation. There are two simplest types of pain relief breathing.

The first type is shallow breathing or, as it is also called, dog breathing. Before the onset of the next contraction, the woman breathes evenly through her mouth, and as the contraction increases, she accelerates her breathing and at the peak it is almost superficial, and then when the contraction subsides, her breathing gradually returns to normal. This type of breathing is very comfortable during contractions. It is believed that such breathing shortens contractions, relieves pain and contributes to a more complete opening of the cervix. As a rule, in maternity hospitals, midwives recommend breathing exactly like a dog. And with attempts to breathe "like a dog" is impossible. Then the second type of breathing remains - with the stammering of sound. With this type of breathing, with the onset of a contraction, a deep breath is taken through the mouth, and during the contraction, the air is slowly exhaled and a throat moan is emitted.

Basically, if you believe the statistics, then thoughts about the upcoming birth in pregnant women arise after 30 weeks. Of course, more questions arise in primiparous women. The most frequently asked questions: how to prepare for childbirth, when should I go to the hospital and what to take there? How to behave during childbirth? And how soon should labor begin? Also, the issue related to the maternity hospital will be such an important issue.

If we are talking about preparing things, then there may be differences in this matter. But the most important thing that should be with you is a passport, an exchange card and a referral to a maternity hospital, or an agreement that was drawn up in advance. If childbirth will take place with, for example, a husband, then he also needs to capture a passport, test results and fluorography.

The rest of the things may correspond to the list of the maternity hospital. It would also be good to know about this in advance. In addition, you may want to bring an MP3 player, personal care products, a book, or something else to keep you occupied while your little one is sleeping. And of course, do not forget about things for the baby: diapers, cream or oil for newborns, clothes, diapers and the rest. If you forgot something, you don't have to worry right away. After all, everything else can be brought directly to the hospital.

What are the symptoms that indicate the imminent birth of a child?

If there were no complications during pregnancy, then childbirth is likely to begin at the end of the 39th week. By this time, the body will already be ready for the birth of a child. Some time before the birth, you can notice some signs that say that the birth is very close. For example, a strong pressure of the uterus on the internal organs, slight spotting, a mucous plug leaves, weight loss, diarrhea and appetite. When childbirth begins, severe pain appears in the lower abdomen, and contractions will occur at shorter intervals. Before or after contractions, the water should break.

Poses as an element of preparation for childbirth


If you are tired of doing the same pose, then change it to another one or do them all in turn.

Exercises to help during childbirth

Throughout pregnancy, you need to do exercises that will help stretch the muscles and ligaments of the perineum. Of course, Kegel exercises that can be performed with a gym ball will be the most effective. To do this, you need to stand sideways to the back of the chair and rest your hands on it, then you need to slowly take your leg to the side, while trying to do it as high as possible. You need to repeat the exercise 6-10 times on each leg. An exercise during which you need to pull the bent leg to the stomach will be effective.

Some women choose the Plie exercise: you need to spread your legs wide apart and slowly squat. Try to sit in this position for as long as possible, and then just as slowly rise. The exercise should be repeated 5-7 times.

Preparation of the cervix for the birth process

From about the 36th week of pregnancy, all doctors recommend having sex without a condom, of course, if there is no danger. There is a special substance in semen that very quickly makes the cervix soft and perfectly prepares it for childbirth.

Preparing the nipples for childbirth

It is necessary to massage the nipples daily, take a contrast shower, wipe with a harsh terry towel and be sure to take air baths. If everything is fine with you and there is no increased tone of the uterus, then you can delay the nipples - this will make them more elongated and you will not have problems during feeding.

How to mentally prepare yourself for childbirth?

In order to get rid of the panic fear of the upcoming event, you need to learn as much as possible about what awaits you. Courses that teach preparation for childbirth would be very good in this. It certainly won't reduce the pain during childbirth, but being more calm will definitely help.