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The readiness of the body for childbirth

In the last 1.5-2 weeks of pregnancy, the preparation of the woman's body for the upcoming birth ends. This training covers all organs and systems, starting with the centers of higher nervous activity and ending with the executive organ - the uterus. The dominant of pregnancy is replaced by the dominant of childbirth, and the uterus turns from a fetus-place into an expelling organ.

The readiness of a woman's body for childbirth is characterized by a number of signs, the appearance of which indicates the possibility of the onset of childbirth in the near future. The most pronounced changes occur in the genitals. In contrast to the assessment of the state of the central nervous system or hormonal status, which requires the involvement of special, as a rule, complex research methods, the diagnosis of the state of the reproductive apparatus is carried out using conventional clinical methods for examining a pregnant woman and simple tests. These include: determination of "maturity" of the cervix, oxytocin test, mammary test, cytological examination of vaginal smears.

Preparing for childbirth

You have all passed and you just have to meet your child and bring him home, where you have prepared a cozy corner for him and where everyone has been waiting for him for so long. You have read many books, attended courses, consulted with friends and doctors, surfed the Internet, you know all the theoretical part about childbirth. You are a little afraid to forget all this and confuse it at the most important moment. Therefore, take the text below simply as a cheat sheet, because the full information is in books, courses, and other places. And this is a cheat sheet for the last moment, so as not to rummage through a pile of texts. As a basis for this cheat sheet, I took the summary of the “experienced puerperal”, given on one of the “folk” sites, so if you see familiar words, do not be surprised. And once again - you all know this very well. But if fear and uncertainty remain in you, then the article can help you.

What you can do at home to prepare for childbirth and the hospital if you are going to one

Preparing the cervix for childbirth, softening the cervix

From 36 weeks - regular sex life without a condom. Sperm softens the cervix, preparing it for childbirth. That is why a condom is essential during pregnancy itself.
- From 34 weeks evening primrose oil in capsules - 1 per day, from 36 weeks - 2, from 39 - 3 capsules per day. Drink.

Preparing the skin of the perineum for stretching during childbirth and preventing tears and incisions in the perineum (episiotomy)

Massage of the skin of the perineum using vegetable oil (ordinary, olive, wheat germ). Before the massage itself, warm up the skin (with a warm heating pad or a warm bath). Dry and massage with your hands the dry skin between the anus and the vagina from the outside, rubbing oil into it, pull the lower fornix of the vagina down and to the sides. From 34 weeks - 2 times a week, from 38 - every day

Exercises for stretching the muscles and ligaments of the perineum:

Standing sideways to the back of the chair, rest your hands on it and take your leg to the side as high as it is comfortable - 6-10 times for each leg.
- With the same emphasis, raise the leg bent at the knee to the tummy.
- With your legs wide apart, slowly sit down and hold in this position for a few seconds, you can spring. Get up slowly and relax. You can repeat 3-5 times.
- Squat down, straighten one leg and set aside. Shift weight from one foot to another several times in a row. Arms outstretched forward will help maintain balance.

Everyday poses.

- "Pose of the tailor" - in a sitting position, cross your legs in front of you.
- "Butterfly" - sitting, connect the heels and pull them to the crotch. You can not move your legs, just remaining in this position, but most likely the "wings" will start dancing on their own. It's great and won't stop us from watching TV, reading, or peeling potatoes.
- “On your heels” - kneel down, tightly connecting them, and smoothly sit back on your heels.
- "Frog" - being in the position "on the heels", spread your legs and sit on the floor between the heels.
- in the “squatting” position: you can just squat, minding your own business, or you can (should!) wash the floor on your haunches!
- You can walk "in single file" - from the kitchen to the room

Choose a position that is comfortable for you and change position as soon as it becomes tiring.

Preparing nipples for feeding

Prevention of cracked nipples and mastitis

Contrast shower, massaging the nipples.
- Terry towel (rub gently).
- Air baths (more to walk with an open chest).
- Accurate stretching of the nipples, the formation of an elongated shape - with your own hands and with the help of your husband.
- Ice cubes from a decoction of oak bark.

It is not necessary to try hard in advance, because stimulation of the nipples causes uterine contractions.

Preparing for the maternity hospital

What to agree with the doctor in advance:

How to give birth (as far as you insist on natural childbirth, if there are relative indications for caesarean). Discuss the conditions under which the doctor considers the operation necessary, come to an agreement.

When to give birth (if a caesarean is being discussed) - planned or start naturally.

When to go to the hospital (when the contractions begin, the waters break, there will be contractions at certain intervals - which ones).

What kind of anesthesia to use and in what case (for caesarean - general or epidural, for natural childbirth - standard medical sleep, pain relief, at your request, for the reasons of the doctor, no pain relief without serious indications - as you wish)

The presence of relatives at birth. Husband, mother, girlfriend, assistant, what should they take with them (change, change of clothes, food, drink), what will they be allowed to do, can they give you a massage, hold your hand at any time, i.e. get in the way of the staff, pick up the baby first, cut the umbilical cord.

Stimulation of contractions - the introduction of oxytocin - and a puncture of the fetal bladder. Under what conditions the doctor insists on carrying out, discuss what is not done prophylactically if you do not want to.

Episiotomy (whether you insist that it is not done without emergency indications, or are you yourself interested in making everything faster and easier, because it is done just for this, like the previous paragraph).

Sewing up with anesthesia - be sure to insist, this is the most painful procedure in childbirth.
- Attaching the baby to the breast and the first actions with him. When to cut the umbilical cord - immediately or after the cessation of pulsation (with Rh incompatibility is prohibited) and to whom. First, wash and weigh the baby, or put it on your chest first. How long to put, how long they will take for washing, weighing and instillation of the eyes, where, when they will return - as you want!

There are no standards that are perfect for everyone, you may be the first to want to sleep peacefully alone. If they take it to the nursery, whether to supplement it there, whether to supplement it with the mixture that you bring or the one that is there, whether it is possible with donor milk - all this will be discussed. If you are set up to feed on demand with separate placement, discuss that they immediately carry to you, and do not supplement. Is it possible to dress a child in home clothes.

Vaccinations. Hepatitis - whether to do in the hospital. If yes - only imported vaccine - buy and bring.
- If you have a negative Rh factor - buy and bring anti-Rh D-immunoglobulin, discuss its administration within 72 hours after delivery, the sooner the better.

What to take to the hospital?

• the passport;
• exchange card;
• childbirth contract;
• mobile phone and charging;
• watch;
• robe;
• nightgown with ties in front (It is convenient to use a regular men's shirt.) 2-3 pieces;
• slippers (according to the requirements of some maternity hospitals, they must be washable. If not, then a second pair for the shower);
• underpants;
• gaskets Super;
• anti-varicose stockings / stockings / elastic bandages;
• socks;
• toothpaste and brush, comb, cream, toile. paper, napkins, sponge, baby soap, unscented antiperspirant (children are often allergic to their mother's deodorant and cream, and not at all to what she ate);
• two towels;
• plate, cup, spoon;
• hygienic lipstick! (lips dry during childbirth);
• hair clips, loose elastic bands;
• bras (special model, or soft knitted, in which you can easily release the chest);
• cream for cracks in the nipples - bepanten or lanolin;
• disposable bra pads;
• breast pump, if the maternity hospital does not rent or you do not want:
• bottled water, tea leaves, sugar, chewing gum;
• thermos with drink (rosehip infusion);
• a second thermos with reducing and hemostatic herbs;
• food: dried fruits, fruits, cookies;
• small electric kettle
• paper, pen, book, player (or tape recorder to listen with a child), cassettes with your favorite music;
• camera;
• plaid if winter;
• nightlight - if only overhead lighting is provided in the wards;
• Disposable diapers. You should not buy more than two packs in advance (in the first days, about 10 diapers per day can be spent in the maternity hospital), as there may be a negative skin reaction to one or another model, and you can also choose the size only for the child. Even if the maternity hospital offers their own diapers, it is better to immediately use the brand that you plan to use so that you do not have to change later;
• Wet cleansing wipes, non-alcoholic;
• Rompers are light - if the rules of the maternity hospital allow, then it is convenient to immediately put the baby in your clothes;
• spare shoes for the husband, if he is with you;
• food for the husband (bananas, sandwiches, water);
• contact numbers of those who you may need - a breastfeeding specialist, a doctor in charge of your pregnancy, a pediatrician. It is better to arrange with him and a breastfeeding specialist in advance so that you know who to call in case of problems in the maternity hospital.

How to prepare for childbirth

How to prepare for childbirth? This issue is of particular concern to expectant mothers who are about to give birth for the first time. Preparing for childbirth in advance is very important. So that in the rush and bustle of leaving for the hospital, do not forget something. Preparing for childbirth is not just packing a suitcase. Preparing for childbirth means choosing a maternity hospital, meeting with a doctor who will take delivery, and learning from courses. Both the expectant mother and the future father need to prepare for childbirth. So that at the right moment he knows what to do when, what to take where and what to carry (carry) when and where.

About two or three weeks before the birth, check if you have prepared everything for the birth for yourself and for the birth, for the baby. If you have already chosen a maternity hospital or agreed with a personal doctor, learn more about the list of things recommended in this maternity hospital for mom and baby. Some maternity hospitals indicate what you need to take with you, others give out all sick leave. Fold the necessary things in advance in bags: a bag for mom for childbirth, a bag for mom for discharge, a bag for a baby in the hospital and for discharge. Be sure to introduce these bags to dad. Often, when we meet with mothers after childbirth, they tell how the husband, in joy and excitement, mixed everything up, and instead of the third dress on the right, he brought the fifth sundress from the top, but it no longer fits - and the mood from the meeting was badly spoiled.

Dear ladies, do not overload dads, take care of them too. What may be needed in the hospital?

• the documents;
• things that will come in handy during childbirth;
• things that may be needed after childbirth;
• dowry for the baby in the hospital;
• things you need when you go home.

Harbingers of childbirth

In most pregnant women, childbirth is preceded by the so-called precursors, which usually appear 2 weeks before them: the stomach drops, and it becomes easier for the woman to breathe; body weight is somewhat reduced due to the increased release of fluid from the body; the uterus quickly tenses up - hardens due to the increased excitability of its muscles. The head of the fetus before childbirth in nulliparous women is pressed more tightly against the bones of the small pelvis.

In the very last days before childbirth, thick, viscous mucus is released from the vagina, often with an admixture of blood (the mucous plug that fills the cervical canal is pushed out), diffuse pains appear in the sacrum, thighs, and in the lower abdomen. With the appearance of these signs, it is impossible to leave home for a long time, because. at any time, regular contractions of the uterus - contractions can begin, which will require the immediate departure of the woman to the maternity hospital.

Some women with the onset of contractions (or before they appear) may begin to leak amniotic fluid - they are found on linen in the form of colorless spots. When this symptom appears, the pregnant woman must be hospitalized in the maternity hospital, because. along with the waters, a loop of the umbilical cord or a fetal handle may fall into the vagina. In addition, prenatal outflow of water contributes to the penetration of infection into the uterus.

The beginning of childbirth is the appearance of regular contractions. At first they are weak and do not cause any particular trouble to the pregnant woman, but gradually become more intense, prolonged (30-40 seconds) and frequent - after 5-6 minutes.

In primiparas, the duration of labor is on average from 15 to 20 hours, in multiparous, the duration of labor is from 10 to 12 hours. The duration of childbirth is affected by the age of the woman, the size of the fetus, the size of the pelvis, the activity of uterine contractions, etc. In primiparas older than 28-30 years, the duration of labor is longer.

There are three periods in childbirth. The duration of the first, longest period of labor in primiparous is on average 13-18 hours, and in multiparous, the duration of the first period of labor is 10-11 hours. In the first period, the lower pole of the fetal bladder wedged into the cervical canal, it opens, the fetal bladder bursts and amniotic fluid flows out.

In the second stage of labor, the fetus moves through the birth canal. In this period, there are attempts. At this time, the midwife, leading the birth, begins to receive the newborn. In cephalic presentation, the head is born first. After the head, the body is born. This ends the second stage of labor. In primiparas, the duration of the second stage of labor is on average from 1 to 2 hours, and in multiparous women, the duration of this period of labor is from 30 minutes. up to 1 hour. Immediately after birth, the baby begins to breathe and scream. The umbilical cord connecting the newborn to the placenta is cut and tied.

Contractions

The first rule is to sleep as much as possible. If it doesn't work, just rest. You can sacrifice all of the following and go unprepared, but not tired during the first hours of waiting, when you can and should calmly save your strength and rest. Nothing is needed from you now, except to relax. But then some serious work is needed, and you should not be exhausted by this time. This “later” can happen in a day! Sleep and rest while there is time. The strength of contractions is not in vain increasing gradually. Everything is thought out.

It is advisable to write down the duration and intervals between them, but not immediately, when they are rare and weak, and then when they no longer let you sleep.

If sleep and rest are not in one eye, then it is better not to lie down, move and look for a position in which it is easier. Use postures and techniques learned or read in courses. Alert the husband, check the techniques of massage, breathing, etc. with him. Do not strain the muscles of the body, especially the face, do not clench your teeth - this strains the muscles of the pelvic floor and the cervix and lengthens and aggravates the period of contractions. Tell your husband to remind you when you forget and not let you shrink. It is necessary not to fight with contractions and not to experience them, but to surrender to them, relaxing and drowning in them. It's not a pointless pain, not a spasm, not a constriction, not a contraction, although it feels that way. This is the OPENING of the cervix, this is their ultimate goal, and this is what should be promoted. You open up whether you like it or not, you will struggle and hurt both of you, or you won't fight and relax - either way you open up. And since this is inevitable, if you do not fight the inevitable, but understand its meaning, it will be easier for you to understand the meaning of "relaxing in contractions." Because it means "reveal on disclosure".

Discharge of water.

Capture this moment

Bath

Bath very well relieves pain, helps to relax. Allows you to determine whether labor has actually begun. If these are preliminary contractions, then under the influence of the bath they will subside, but if the birth has begun, then the bath, on the contrary, will stimulate the process somewhat. You can take a bath for no more than half an hour and only at an early stage of labor, when contractions are no more than 20 minutes, if you, of course, are going to go to the hospital. Women giving birth at home can also take a bath in the later stages of childbirth.

The shower is very helpful in relieving pain during contractions. It can be directed to the sacrum or lower back.

Even if the waters have already receded, you can take a bath, but it must be cleaned well and the filler added: pure sea salt or Rotokan.

Enema

Prepare 3 liters of water. 2 per enema, 1 just in case. You don't need to boil. Water temperature 30-32 gr. You need to do an enema at long intervals, when contractions go at intervals of 18-20 minutes. Water can be salted (a little sea salt) or acidified (1 tablespoon of lemon juice per 3 liters). It is necessary to do an enema in the knee-elbow position.

Shaving

Regular men's shaving foam helps reduce the number of cuts and discomfort

Drink, food

Stimulating and supportive drink. During childbirth and immediately after. Rosehip + 1 tsp honey. Fruits, dried fruits and crackers. Be sure to take it with you to the hospital.

Duration of labor

In primiparas, the duration of labor is on average from 15 to 20 hours, in multiparous, the duration of labor is from 10 to 12 hours. The duration of childbirth is affected by the age of the woman, the size of the fetus, the size of the pelvis, the activity of uterine contractions, etc. In primiparas older than 28-30 years, the duration of labor is longer.

There are three periods in childbirth. The duration of the first, longest period of labor in primiparas is on average 13-18 hours, and in multiparous women, the duration of the first period of labor is 10-11 hours. In the first period, the lower pole of the fetal bladder wedged into the cervical canal, it opens, the fetal bladder bursts and amniotic fluid flows out.

In the second stage of labor, the fetus moves through the birth canal. In this period, there are attempts. At this time, the midwife, leading the birth, begins to receive the newborn. In cephalic presentation, the head is born first. After the head, the body is born. This ends the second stage of labor. In primiparas, the duration of the second stage of labor is on average from 1 to 2 hours, and in multiparous women, the duration of this period of labor is from 30 minutes. up to 1 hour. Immediately after birth, the baby begins to breathe and scream. The umbilical cord connecting the newborn to the placenta is cut and tied.

After the birth of a child, the third stage of childbirth begins, called the postpartum period. The duration of this period of labor is on average 30 minutes. During this period, the placenta separates from the walls of the uterus and the afterbirth is born. The afterbirth consists of the placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes.

Start of labor

Contractions

The first rule is to sleep as much as possible. If not, just relax. You can sacrifice all of the following and go unprepared, but not tired during the first hours of waiting, when you can and should calmly save your strength and rest. Now you don't need anything but to relax. But then some serious work is needed, and you should not be exhausted by this time. This “later” can happen in a day! Sleep and rest while there is time. The strength of contractions is not in vain increasing gradually. Everything is thought out. It is advisable to write down the duration and intervals between them, but not immediately, when they are rare and weak, and then when they no longer let you sleep.

If sleep and rest are not in one eye, then it is better not to lie down, move and look for a position in which it is easier. Use postures and techniques learned or read in courses. Alert the husband, check the techniques of massage, breathing, etc. with him. Do not strain the muscles of the body, especially the face, do not clench your teeth - this strains the muscles of the pelvic floor and the cervix and lengthens and aggravates the period of contractions. Tell your husband to remind you when you forget and not let you shrink. It is necessary not to fight with contractions and not to experience them, but to surrender to them, relaxing and drowning in them. It's not a pointless pain, not a spasm, not a constriction, not a contraction, although it feels that way. This is the OPENING of the cervix, this is their ultimate goal, and this is what should be promoted. You open up whether you like it or not, you will struggle and hurt both of you, or you won't fight and relax - either way you open up. And since this is inevitable, if you do not fight the inevitable, but understand its meaning, the meaning of “relaxing in contractions” will be easier for you. Because it means "reveal on disclosure".

Outflow of waters

The waters can break at any time: at the beginning of childbirth, in the middle or just before the attempts. All this is within the normal range.

Transparent or whitish - the norm

Green - the child is experiencing hypoxia, medical assistance is required.

With small streaks of blood - part of the mucous plug, does not pose a danger

With bright blood - placental abruption, urgent hospitalization is required

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The course of childbirth

Childbirth is an unconditional reflex act aimed at expelling the fetal egg from the uterine cavity when the latter reaches a certain degree of maturity. The gestation period must be at least 28 weeks, the body weight of the fetus must be at least 1000 g, height must be at least 35 cm.

During the birth act, 3 periods are distinguished: I - the period of disclosure; II - period of exile; III - succession period. A woman with the onset of labor is called a woman in labor, after the end of childbirth - a puerperal.

In the first stage of labor due to contractions, the cervix opens. Contractions are involuntary periodic contractions of the uterus. During contraction in the muscular wall of the uterus, the processes of contraction (contraction of each muscle fiber and each muscle layer) and retraction (displacement of muscle layers relative to each other) occur. In the pauses between contractions, contraction is completely eliminated, and retraction is only partially eliminated.

Myometrium consists of two layers, different from a functional point of view. The outer layer is mainly represented by longitudinally located muscle fibers. This layer, powerful and active in the fundus and in the body of the uterus, comes to naught in the distal cervix. The inner layer contains predominantly circular muscle fibers. It is best expressed in the cervix and lower segment of the uterus. There are few circular muscle fibers in the bottom and body of the uterus. With the development of regular labor activity, coordinated contractions of the outer and inner layers of the myometrium are observed.

The primary source of labor excitation (pacemaker, pacemaker) is a more or less localized group of cells in the uterine wall. Most researchers believe that pacemakers are located in both tubal corners of the uterus. From here, electrical activity (a wave of contractions) spreads during a contraction to the underlying sections of the uterus - to the body and lower segment. N. Alvarez and R. Caldeyro-Barcia (1952) called this propagation of the contraction wave from top to bottom a triple downward gradient. The strongest and most prolonged contractions of the uterus are observed in the bottom area (bottom dominant). In the future, the contraction wave extends downward to the body and cervix (first gradient). In the body, and especially in the lower segment of the uterus, there is a decrease in the strength and duration of contraction (the second and third gradients).

Physiologically developing labor activity is characterized by reciprocity (interconnection) of the contractile activity of the uterine body, lower segment and cervix. Each contraction of the longitudinal muscles of the uterus is accompanied by active stretching (distraction) of the lower segment and cervix, which leads to the opening of the uterine os. For the normal course of the birth act, coordination (consistency) of uterine contractions is characteristic. In addition to vertical coordination of contractions (triple downward gradient, fundus dominance and reciprocity), there is horizontal coordination in the form of coordinated contractions of the right and left halves of the uterus. With coordinated contractions, there is a synchronism in the onset of the phase of maximum contraction of the uterus in its various departments. The propagation time of the contraction wave, which captures the entire organ, is 15 s.

With a well-defined labor activity, the intensity of uterine contractions is usually 30 mm Hg. Art., and the frequency of contractions is at least two in 10 minutes. As the birth act develops, the intensity and duration of contractions gradually increase, and the duration of the intervals between contractions decreases.

During each contraction, an increase in intrauterine pressure occurs, which is transmitted to the fetal egg, which takes the form of the uterine cavity. Amniotic fluid rushes to the lower part of the fetal bladder, where one of the large parts of the fetus (head, pelvic end) is located. Until the membranes are broken, the uterus is a closed, fluid-filled ball.

During childbirth, due to the contraction of the longitudinally located muscles of the uterus and the reciprocally relaxing circular muscles, the lower segment of the uterus and the region of the internal cervical os are stretched. The upper part of the cervical canal gradually expands in a funnel-like manner, and the fetal bladder rushes there during contractions (the lower pole of the fetal membranes with part of the amniotic fluid contained in them). Irritating the nerve endings in the area of ​​​​the internal pharynx, it contributes to the intensification of contractions. The contractions of the muscle fibers of the body of the uterus, due to its ovoid shape, are not directed upwards vertically, but tangentially to the circular muscles of the lower segment of the uterus and the cervical canal. This relationship and the action of the muscles of the bottom and body of the uterus on the opening of the cervical canal are so pronounced that the opening of the cervix occurs even with premature outflow of water (when the role of the fetal bladder in the opening of the cervix is ​​completely excluded) and even with the transverse position of the fetus (when the presenting part is absent) .

During contractions, as a result of retraction, the upper and lower muscle layers, as it were, intersect with each other and gradually move upward. During pauses between contractions, they do not fully return to their place. Therefore, the upper part of the body of the uterus gradually thickens, and the area of ​​the lower segment becomes thinner. The boundary between the upper part of the uterus (bottom, body) contracting during childbirth and the actively relaxing lower segment is called the contraction ring (boundary groove, boundary roller), tiro can be determined after the outflow of amniotic fluid during contractions. The lower segment of the uterus covers the presenting part of the fetus with a ring tightly adjacent to it - the inner belt of contact.

In this case, an external contact zone is formed between the lower segment of the uterus and the bone ring (the head is fixed by a small segment at the entrance to the pelvis). Due to the presence of contact zones, the waters are divided into two unequal parts: the larger part, which is above the contact zone, is the “rear waters”, and the smaller part, which is below the contact zone and fills the fetal bladder, is the “front waters”.

The mechanism of opening the cervix in primiparous and multiparous is not the same. In nulliparous women, the opening of the cervix begins from the side of the internal os. With full disclosure of the internal os, the cervix is ​​smoothed out, the cervical canal is absent and the external os begins to open. A complete dilatation of the cervix is ​​one in which the uterine cavity and vagina are a single birth tube. In multiparous women, the opening of the internal and external os occurs simultaneously and in parallel with the shortening of the cervix.

With the complete or almost complete opening of the uterine os, the fetal bladder ruptures. This is facilitated by a complex of reasons: 1) increasing intrauterine pressure due to an increase in the frequency and intensity of contractions; 2) an increase in overstretching of the membranes of the fetal bladder due to an increase in intrauterine pressure and a decrease in their resistance to rupture; 3) lack of support for the lower pole of the fetal bladder from the side of the cervix with full or almost full disclosure. If the fetal bladder opens with incomplete opening of the cervix, then the role of the stimulus of the receptors of the internal pharynx is performed by the presenting part of the fetus. In some cases, with excessive density of the membranes, the fetal bladder does not open even when fully opened. In these cases, it must be opened so as not to disturb the physiological course of childbirth.

Full disclosure of the cervix indicates the end of the first stage of labor. The second period of childbirth begins - the period of exile, during which the birth of the fetus occurs.

After the outflow of amniotic fluid, the contractions briefly stop or weaken. The volume of the uterine cavity is significantly reduced, the walls of the uterus come into closer contact with the fetus. Contractions intensify again and contribute to the progress of the fetus through the birth canal, which began during the opening period. The presenting part of the fetus approaches the pelvic floor and exerts increasing pressure on it, in response to which attempts appear. An attempt differs from a contraction in that a reflex contraction of the striated skeletal muscles of the abdominal press, diaphragm, and pelvic floor joins the reflex involuntary contraction of the smooth muscles of the uterus. The strength of the attempts can be arbitrarily regulated by the woman giving birth. The presenting part of the fetus stretches the genital slit and is born. Behind it, the entire body of the fetus is born and the posterior amniotic fluid is poured out.

After the birth of the fetus, the third period of childbirth begins - afterbirth. At this time, the placenta and membranes separate from the walls of the uterus and the birth of the placenta.

A few minutes after the birth of the fetus, contractions resume. With the first subsequent contraction, the separation of the child's place begins, which occurs in the spongy layer of the falling membrane at the site of its attachment to the uterine wall (placental site). With subsequent contractions, the entire musculature of the uterus is reduced, including the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe placental site. The placenta does not have the ability to contract, and therefore it rises above the decreasing placental area in the form of a fold or tubercle. The connection between the placenta and the placental site is broken, the vessels rupture, which leads to the formation of a retroplacental hematoma, which is an accumulation of blood between the placenta and the uterine wall. Retroplacental hematoma, together with uterine contractions, contributes to an increasing and, finally, final detachment of the placenta. The separated placenta is born from the uterine cavity with the force of attempts and drags the membranes with it. The placenta exits the genital tract with an aqueous (amniotic) membrane outside. The maternal surface of the placenta faces the inside of the born placenta. This is the most common central route of placental abruption and afterbirth described by Schultz.

Another variant of placental abruption may be observed, when the separation does not start from the center, but from the periphery. In this case, the outflowing blood does not form a retroplacental hematoma, but, flowing down, exfoliates the membranes. With each successive contraction, all new areas of the placenta exfoliate until it is completely separated from the wall of the uterus. In addition, the separation of the placenta contributes to its own weight. The placenta is born from the birth canal forward by the lower edge of the placenta (its maternal surface), and the amniotic membrane is inside - the placenta is separated according to Duncan.

The birth of the afterbirth, separated from the walls of the uterus, is facilitated by the attempts that occur when the afterbirth moves into the vagina and irritation of the pelvic floor muscles.

Pain in childbirth. How to reduce labor pain

Pain and childbirth are in the human mind side by side. Many women are terrified of the pain that inevitably (from their point of view) accompanies childbirth. More reasonable ladies are preparing for childbirth in advance. The correct attitude to pain in general, and to pain in childbirth in particular, the ability to largely regulate pain in childbirth, the absence of fear of pain during childbirth is the result of proper preparation for childbirth and competent training of a pregnant couple.

Psychologists - practitioners of body-oriented therapy believe that pain is a powerful signal of our body, a means of its "communication" with our consciousness.

Sometimes, we work so hard, eat poorly, do not rest at all, smoke, - in general, we are exhausted, and the body is forced to resort to a powerful weapon - pain. This is the positive function of pain: it is the only way to “get through” to us. When we are in pain, we finally stop and catch our breath. The pain knocks out of the daily fuss, makes you turn to yourself.

It just so happened that pain is an indispensable companion of the birth of a person. Now, with the help of modern medical science, it has been proven that childbirth is a test not only for the mother, but also for the baby. The baby sometimes experiences pain many times stronger than the pain of the mother. Therefore, during pregnancy, it is necessary to thoroughly prepare for a meeting with pain. To make her your ally, not your enemy.

But first you need to stop being afraid of labor pain, because fear often stops the contractions that have begun. We are talking, of course, about physiological pain, and not pathological pain, in which anesthesia and surgical intervention are necessary. Preparing for childbirth is, first of all, relaxation. A relaxed woman is occupied exclusively with childbirth, her body follows the “beaten path”, following instincts. During pregnancy, you need to learn to listen to the processes taking place inside your body, learn to respond correctly to changes, “catch” the flow. In any manual, you will find advice not to be nervous and to rest more often during pregnancy. But in addition to relaxation, both professional massage for pregnant women and a relaxing massage of a loved one will help you. What is it for?

During the period of expectation of a child, it is important to remove the so-called clamps in the muscles so as not to interfere with the woman's body to perform its main "work" - childbirth. Often massage also brings therapeutic benefits - the baby turns over and takes the correct position upside down. Massage will be your best assistant, both during contractions and at the beginning of attempts. But this is not just a massage, but a massage of the sacrum, the area in the lower spine. If your husband is present during childbirth, it is he who will help you relieve stress. You yourself are in labor until you go to the hospital, taking a shower, you can direct the jet to the sacrum. You will learn the massage technique at any parent school.

In childbirth, it is better to move actively, change position, select the one that is the least uncomfortable, for example, my birth was “standing”. In the last period of childbirth, a woman withdraws into herself, tuning in to signals coming from within. Meditation will help to acquire this skill.

It is known that the throat area in childbirth is connected with the cervix. The desire of a woman to scream is not just a spontaneous reaction to pain, but a strong instinct. The fact is that crying relaxes the throat and cervix, thus helping the child to pass through the birth canal. But screaming can be destructive not only for others, but also for mom and baby. Therefore, it is better not to shout, but to SING. Singing in childbirth is a tradition of our great-great-grandmothers. The so-called reference voice, which we, the townspeople, have lost, has been successfully used as a powerful pain reliever.

Its effect increases if your husband or midwife sings with you, in the case of home birth.

It is difficult to relax when a bright white light blinds your eyes, and 5 more women in labor are moaning nearby. Therefore, if it is within your capabilities, bring the baby's birth environment closer to home. After all, at home you feel protected, so subdued light, your favorite things, a dressing gown will help you.

In attempts, the nature of pain is somewhat different, not comparable with contractive pain. At the last stage, the pain should not be reduced or avoided, but "go to it", pushing where it hurts. Proper breathing will help here. By following at least some of these simple recommendations, you will find a common language with your body. And it will answer you in childbirth - a hundredfold.

Self-anaesthesia of childbirth

To begin with, painless and painless childbirth is not uncommon. Many women in labor cross the threshold of the maternity hospital in the active phase of labor, when the opening of the cervix is ​​already more than 2-3 cm, sometimes with almost complete opening of the cervix, that is, at the end of the 1st stage of labor, without experiencing severe pain. And some women already during attempts in bewilderment ask: “Doctor, when will it hurt me?” What is it: individual sensitivity? Or exceptions that just prove the rule? Let us try to understand the reasons for such individual sensitivity, or rather, insensitivity.

The suffering of women during normal, uncomplicated childbirth is contrary to the laws of nature. The fact is that pain is given to us as a defensive reaction in order to recognize the disease in time and save our life and health. Therefore, during childbirth, a sharp pain syndrome is a companion of certain complications that require qualified medical assistance. With a favorable course of childbirth, when nothing threatens either the mother or the child, the appearance of pain is not justified.

The nature of labor pain

During contractions in the first stage of labor, irritation of the nerve endings of the body and cervix, blood vessels and ligamentous apparatus occurs. In the second stage of labor - the period of expulsion of the fetus - the nerve endings of the perineum and external genitalia are predominantly irritated. Both those and other impulses, entering the central nervous system, are normally blocked and are not perceived as pain signals, that is, they remain under the threshold of pain sensations. In addition, there are additional protective "analgesic" factors. Firstly, before childbirth, there is a partial destruction of the nerve endings of the uterus, and therefore its sensitivity decreases in comparison with the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy. And secondly, during childbirth in the body there is a powerful release of endorphins and enkephalins - “hormones of pleasure”, natural painkillers, related in structure to narcotic analgesics.

But from generation to generation, the fear of childbirth, recorded on the pages of the Old Testament, is passed on to women. This fear has a real historical background. After all, hundreds of years ago, in the absence of adequate obstetric care, many births really proceeded very hard, with dangerous complications and often ended in the death of the woman in labor. The fear of inevitable pain disrupts the harmony of relationships in the structures of the brain, sharply lowering the pain threshold, in connection with which those painful stimuli begin to be perceived, which normally should not penetrate our consciousness. This is the so-called psychogenic component of labor pains. As a result of the passage of pain impulses through the central nervous system, reflected pain occurs on the surface of the body: in the lower abdomen, in the lumbosacral region, in the upper third of the thighs and in the groin.

Down with the psychogenic factor!

What is the opposite of fear? Holiday anticipation. Do you remember how, as a child, you were waiting for your next birthday or New Year, how your heart skipped a beat in anticipation of fun and gifts? And how joyful should be the expectation of a miracle, great happiness - meeting with the most beloved and most beautiful person that YOU will give to the world! The embodiment of a dream, new facets of love, a new phase of merging with a loved one. I want to bring the sweet moment closer and, having plunged, drink it whole, to the bottom. Dream of contractions, remember that pain is sometimes very sweet.

And what about women's curiosity? Of course, you have read and heard a lot about this, but it is insanely interesting to experience everything yourself, it is interesting how it will happen with you. Moreover, even repeated births are not similar to the previous ones.

In addition, childbirth is, perhaps, the only work and pleasure inaccessible to a man. And although many future dads now strive to be present at the birth of their child, they still cannot feel it like a woman, because seeing and feeling are not the same thing.

Sometimes women want to go to the hospital a few days before giving birth. This is not always justified. Not a single, even the best, maternity hospital can replace the warmth and comfort of your home. If the pregnancy proceeds without complications, and there are no indications for prenatal hospitalization, it is better to spend the last days before childbirth surrounded by loved ones, and not in the department of pathology of pregnant women, where you will inevitably be haunted by the load of other people's problems. It happens that a woman herself, going to the hospital, cannot accurately determine whether she has started giving birth. If in this case the doctor who examined you in the emergency department states that these are only harbingers of childbirth and suggests that you return home, heed his advice. The maternity block is the place where you need to give birth, and not languish, empathizing with others.

And in conclusion

Childbirth is something that every pregnant woman is waiting for and at the same time afraid of. Especially if it's her first birth. Numerous stories of girlfriends about how painful and terrible it is, do not add self-confidence. The opinion of a mother or grandmother that childbirth is a simple matter is also not taken seriously. The closer the cherished day, the more doubts and nerves. There is only one way out: to learn as much as possible about childbirth from specialists in advance.

Good day, dear readers! Today I decided to talk with you about how to prepare yourself for childbirth. And I want to start with motivation!

I’ll tell you a story that a friend once told me: when her pregnancy was approaching 39 weeks, her water broke. After calling an ambulance, she calmly walked around the apartment and breathed, and after 2.5 hours after the first contractions, she held the baby in her arms and smiled.

Now this friend tells everyone how to prepare for childbirth. And the main rule that she conveys to everyone and everything: "the main thing is calmness." But why exactly? I agree, it is important to mentally set yourself up. But physical fitness also plays an important role.

On the other hand, my friend's pelvis is narrow, the birth is the first, but at the same time she gave birth easily and without breaks. I began to study the information and re-read the numerous reviews of women in labor. It turns out that you can really prepare yourself for childbirth.

I want to start with the main thing: it is important to set yourself up mentally. Our mothers are very fond of one phrase: "I gave birth, and you will give birth." And in the maternity hospital they constantly joke: “not a single woman has left us pregnant yet.” Therefore, as soon as you find out about your situation, and decide to give birth, know that it is inevitable. And it doesn’t matter if you are scared, difficult or painful - you will still give birth!

Since the outcome is clear - you will have to go to the hospital, it is important to start setting yourself up for a good outcome of childbirth in advance.

In general, too many stories have been written about how difficult it is to endure pain during contractions and attempts. And these stories instill fear in a woman, instead of “sowing” in her soul a “grain” of hope for an easy birth.

But it is fear that is the “first provocateur” of pain, because it is he who:

• affects the organs involved in the process of childbirth;
• disrupts the balance of muscle functions;
• impairs blood circulation;
• causes tension in the body.

Therefore, you need to try to remain calm and not panic. Fear only harms the natural process of birth. Stiffness and stupor provokes the body to respond - pain. But it is with her that we have to fight, right? Relax! And breathe.

2. Rule two: breathe - do not breathe

We all know that during contractions and attempts it is very important to breathe. But how to breathe correctly so that it really helps?

In fact, techniques have long been created that help a woman focus on childbirth. One of the main principles is the breathing technique. Moreover, this skill can be learned at home on your own.

However, there are some nuances here:

• breathing exercises should be carried out systematically;
• classes should begin as early as the 20th week of pregnancy;
• You need to learn a few different breathing techniques.

By the way, learning the art of breathing during pregnancy helps the expectant mother cope with shortness of breath, eliminate heartburn and keep muscles in good shape. But during the birth itself, proper breathing can protect a woman from perineal tears and the use of medications (which can harm a woman in labor or a newborn).

2.1. Breathing exercises during pregnancy

In order to master the breathing technique “perfectly well”, it is important to start exercising as early as possible. Daily training will help you master the technique to perfection and apply it during contractions and attempts. It is breathing exercises that will help you reduce pain during labor.

Before starting a workout, be sure to take a comfortable position for you - this is already the key to success. You can also turn on your favorite music (or better, calm, so that your baby feels comfortable too). Imagine how oxygen enters your body and "enriches" every cell in your child's body.

Practice the following techniques:

1. Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth (inhale calmly, pull your lips slightly forward when exiting; try to breathe with your stomach);
2. Inhale for a count of 3, exhale for a count of 5 (gradually increase the intervals, inhale for a count of 4, exhale for a count of 7);
3. Breathe like a dog through your nose or mouth, whichever way you like;
4. Breathe rhythmically (inhale for a count of 5, hold your breath for a few seconds and exhale also for a count of 5; learn to hold your breath for as long as possible).

Six weeks before your due date, increase your workouts to half an hour a day. Repeat different techniques, learn to breathe in different positions. It is important that your body remembers the state of calmness during breathing, this will help you endure contractions and attempts.

If during the training you feel dizzy or tired, stop training for a while. After the condition returns to normal, continue training.

2.2. Practicing breathing during contractions

As soon as labor begins, start breathing. Breathing should be calm, according to the principle: inhale at a count of 3 through the nose, exhale at a count of 5 through the mouth (intervals can be increased).

We know very well that with the course of childbirth, the intervals between contractions decrease, and the contraction itself lasts longer. If you feel that contractions have become more frequent and appear every 30 seconds, start breathing like a dog. Frequent contractions are a sign of cervical dilatation. You are on the right track.

By the way, if dog breathing doesn't work for you, you can try breathing like this:

1. Rapid breathing (inhale - nose, exit - mouth);
2. Rhythmic breathing through the mouth (open your mouth, as if you are saying “A” and inhale the air, while exhaling, narrow your lips a little, as if you want to say “O”);
3. Breathing through your nose (you can also breathe through your mouth if that's the method that relaxes you the most).

Here it is very important to monitor your well-being. With rapid breathing, you may begin to feel dizzy, and if slight dizziness helps you relax, then “clouding of reason” may “play” not in your favor.

2.3. Practicing breathing while pushing

During the period of contractions, the child went through the birth canal, and now, during the attempts, you have to help your baby be born. It is at this stage that you will need the ability to hold your breath more than ever!

The midwife will supervise the birth process. Breathe in and hold your breath:

1. Do not start pushing without the “team” of the midwife, even if there is a desire it will be beyond your strength - the child may suffocate;
2. Inhale slowly, not abruptly.

If you have practiced the breathing technique during pregnancy, you will be able to easily withstand attempts.

Usually 2-7 attempts are enough. This period must be endured.

Here you can watch a video about breathing during childbirth:

And another video about proper breathing:

3. Rule three: movement is life

Special yoga for pregnant women and classes in the pool are also very useful. Not only will you feel much easier, but you will also be in the company of the same pregnant women, where you can discuss the most interesting questions.

Why can't you lie down all the time? Yes, because in the absence of movement, the muscles atrophy, the ligaments become less elastic, and then no breathing and calmness will save you from surgical intervention. So don't be lazy! And no matter how difficult it is for you to “move your belly”, move!

I know girls who hate walking! Well, go outside just to get some fresh air, and instead of walking, dance at home in front of a mirror. In fact, doctors recommend “dancing with your hips” more often. Turn on rhythmic music and repeat the movements:

• make circular movements with the pelvis (in physical education classes, such an exercise was included in the warm-up);
• move your hips back and forth and from left to right;
• draw a figure eight with your hips.

Such easy dances cheer up and help the pelvic bones “disperse”.

Moreover, an active position during pregnancy, in principle, has a positive effect on the female body:

• strengthens the immune system;
• contributes to the favorable development of the fetus;
• strengthens the respiratory system;
• accustoms the body to physical activity;
• reduces the risk of complications during childbirth;
• helps to recover faster after childbirth.

By the way, many obstetricians agree to freedom of movement, during contractions you can take any comfortable position and move your hips, which will help the child go through the birth canal as soon as possible.

4. Rule Four: Relaxation

During pregnancy, it is important for a woman to learn how to relax, and one of the best ways to relax is massage.

Currently, there are special massage courses. The advantage of these trainings is that the training is carried out on special couches (yes, on those on which the contractions of the woman in labor will be transferred in the future).

However, the passage of such courses is not at all necessary and you can learn massage techniques at home.

Massage should be done gently, without intense pressure, avoiding the abdomen. But during contractions, doctors can allow you to rub and knead the lumbar.

A good massage is that it relieves swelling, eliminates lumbar pain, relieves muscle tension, activates blood circulation and promotes oxygen supply to the child. Moreover, it helps to relax and uplifts the mood.

And here you can watch a video from Dr. Komarovsky about preparing for childbirth:

In general, you can prepare for childbirth! The main desire. If my article was useful to you, recommend it to your friends. And subscribe to my updates, I have something to tell. Bye Bye!

Experienced mothers know that a lot depends on how responsibly the preparation for childbirth was organized - partly the process of giving birth to the baby, and the postpartum period. In a woman's body, all organs and systems begin to prepare for the upcoming birth almost from the first days of the "interesting situation". These are physiological, hormonal, cellular processes, the task of which is to ensure the bearing and subsequent birth of a child. No less painstaking preparatory work is required from the woman herself, who is preparing to become a mother. In this article we will tell you how to properly and competently prepare for childbirth, what to foresee.

Do you need to prepare?

Preparing for childbirth in advance is important for several reasons, and preparation should be carried out in several directions. Childbirth is always a lot of stress, which sometimes prevents a woman from giving birth easily, without breaks and injuries. The stronger the stress, the higher the likelihood of birth complications. With fear, in a panic, women in labor experience muscle clamps that prevent the rapid birth of a child. Numerous works of scientists, doctors from all over the world were based on this statement, as a result of which the programs "Childbirth without pain and fear", "Painless birth" and others appeared.

The more relaxed and confident a woman is during pregnancy and childbirth, the more correctly, easily and with minimal pain the child will be born.

Preparation for childbirth is given great attention by obstetricians of all countries. In some, pregnant women are required to attend courses and schools for women "in position". In Russia, courses for future women in labor are a purely voluntary matter; upon admission to a maternity hospital, no one will ask for a certificate of completion of preparatory courses. or trust the cause of chance - it is up to the woman herself to decide.

There are a lot of psychosomatic factors in the birth process: fear, fear, unwillingness to experience pain, the expectation of this very pain, the opinion that it is obligatory and inevitable, can significantly complicate childbirth. While proper breathing, the readiness of the birth canal and all the muscles of the body will help to give birth to a baby faster. Properly selected things and documents, a reasonably organized space at home will make the first days after the birth of a child more comfortable for everyone.

Many are interested in who needs preparation. The answer is quite simple - any pregnant woman. But to a greater extent - primiparous, pregnant with twins or triplets, women who give birth to a second or third child after a long temporary break, as well as those who choose partner births.

Preparation includes both physical exercises, and some specific procedures, and psychological preparation.

And also we must not forget about the practical side of the issue - properly assembled things for mother and child have not bothered anyone yet.

Getting ready physically

The physical form for a woman in labor is very important. Women with low muscle tone and obesity are more likely to suffer complications during childbirth and in the early postpartum period, so muscle preparation should be done from the very beginning of pregnancy, and preferably before it occurs. Some, having seen two stripes on the test, deliberately refuse to go to the gym and other physical activities, stop walking, believing that it is the state of maternal peace that is most preferable for the unborn child. But this opinion is erroneous. It is impossible to prepare the body for childbirth while lying on the couch.

No one requires a woman to set Olympic records and exorbitant physical activity. In the first trimester of pregnancy, which is considered the period of greatest risks, in general, it is considered better to reduce the load to a minimum, but not to abandon them completely - general strengthening exercises, walking will be useful to all pregnant women without exception, even if a woman does not was engaged.

For pregnant women, there are special physical groups - they work at the pools, in most sports centers. You can work in a group with other expectant mothers. Yoga and Pilates are especially useful for preparing muscles for childbirth. Swimming and water aerobics can also be invaluable. Being in the water will help the baby to take the correct position in the uterine cavity.

Any exercise in water or on land should be comparable to the gestational age. A woman should not get tired, the load should not be a burden, cause muscle pain or discomfort. Physical training also includes breathing techniques that promote relaxation during childbirth, increase blood flow intensity, and prevent hypoxia during childbirth.

Proper breathing not only facilitates the task of childbirth, but also reduces pain during labor pains. It is on the breathing techniques that all the existing programs "Childbirth without pain and fear" are based. We wrote a separate article for you about proper breathing during childbirth, because this issue needs to be considered in detail.

A lot of videos have been shot on the correct breathing technique.

moral readiness

Psychological prenatal preparation is very important. Often it is fear that becomes the cause of abnormal labor activity, the weakness of labor forces. Defeating fears and anxieties is important in order for the birth to go smoothly and quickly. The main difficulty lies in the fact that almost from childhood it is hammered into the girl's head that childbirth is painful and difficult. There are such scenes in films, there are negative examples in literature, even in classic children's fairy tales, where the queen dies during childbirth, unable to endure the pain. As a result, a persistent block is formed in a girl, girl, woman, which triggers the processes of animal horror before childbirth.

It may sound strange, but there are almost no pain receptors in the tissues of the uterus, so labor pain exists only in the head of the woman in labor. The more she is afraid, the stronger the pain will be - this is the main rule of hypnotherapy before childbirth, which was practiced back in the USSR, and now the methods of psychologists and psychiatrists are based on it.

It is foolish to demand from a pregnant woman the decisiveness of a special forces intelligence officer and the same high pain threshold. But psychologists in antenatal clinics, psychotherapists in any clinic, public or private, can calm a woman down and convey to her the principles of hypnobirth. You just need to apply. And the sooner the better, because the express course of psychological preparation in the third trimester is not as effective as the planned long preparation.

You can do psychological preparation on your own, while you need to know what it consists of.

• The study of theory - processes and stages, everything related to childbirth. How contractions, attempts go, how to behave at one stage or another, how to breathe, when and why, when to push and when to relax. The better a woman is theoretically savvy, the better she behaves in the delivery room. When studying theory, you need to use materials from trusted sources and avoid reading women's forums, where information is often not true. In addition, a pregnant woman absolutely does not need other people's negative stories and examples. You can ask an obstetrician-gynecologist at the antenatal clinic to give advice on choosing literature. The doctor will always advise which books for pregnant women will be most useful in terms of preparing for childbirth.
• Autotraining. A woman who repeats to herself every day that everything will be fine will definitely believe in it. This confidence will give calmness, measuredness. A woman will not perceive the onset of childbirth as a disaster, and the birth itself as a difficult test. Childbirth is a process that brings closer a meeting with a beloved and long-awaited baby, and not at all "mocking of nature on the female body." The body of every woman on the planet has everything necessary to give birth to a child. This should not be forgotten. Trust in your own body and confidence in a positive outcome is half the battle.
• Changing perceptions of labor pain. It was said above that pain is of a psychogenic origin, which means that it can be minimized with the right psychological preparation. The natural process of childbirth is not a disease, not an emergency. This is where breathing techniques during childbirth come in handy, for example, Sausage breathing, as well as other methods of natural anesthesia that are taught in courses.
• Modeling the situation. A woman in her own imagination can play her own birth many times - imagine how she endures contractions, how she pushes, how a baby is born. It is important to think of everything from a positive point of view. It is believed that any woman is mentally able to program the course of her own birth herself. The expectation of pain and horror leads to a painful, difficult, long delivery. A light and positive attitude towards a completely natural process leads to the corresponding reality.
• Partner families. Childbirth with an assistant from among relatives and close people, whom the woman fully trusts, increases the comfort of staying in the delivery room and delivery room. If a decision is made to give birth together, it is necessary to start joint preparation, both psychological and physical. A partner in the hospital can be very helpful - he will massage between contractions, remind you when and how to breathe, help you to take the best position for easier transfer of contractions.
• Trust in medical staff. A very large psychological impact on a pregnant woman has confidence in a doctor who will deliver or perform a planned caesarean section. If a woman fully trusts a medical specialist, the stress level during hospitalization decreases tenfold. Therefore, it is important to choose the doctor with whom it will not be scary to go to the delivery room or operating room.

Important! If you can’t put your thoughts and feelings in order on your own, you should definitely contact a psychologist. In antenatal clinics, at maternity hospitals and perinatal centers, the help of such specialists is completely free.

Readiness of the birth canal

During physiological childbirth, the load on the pelvic floor muscles is always incredibly high. The Kegel gymnastic complex will help reduce the likelihood of perineal injury, ruptures, and weak cervical dilatation. Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor should be done with the permission of a doctor. If a woman does not have isthmic-cervical insufficiency, a threat of miscarriage or premature birth, an obstetrician-gynecologist may well allow her to practice such a complex.

Kegel exercises are a set of muscle exercises for the muscles of the vagina and pelvic floor, as well as for the muscles and sphincter of the anus. It helps to strengthen the corresponding muscles and is an excellent prevention of ruptures and postpartum hemorrhoids.

For the preparation of the birth canal in the third trimester, especially in the last days before childbirth, it is recommended carry out a light massage with natural oil, which will include massaging the external genitalia to increase the elasticity of the skin and muscles of the perineum.

To relax the round muscle of the cervix 2 weeks before delivery, some pregnant women are advised to take No-Shpu. This effective antispasmodic helps the cervix to better prepare for birth.

Mammary glands and future feeding

So that after the birth of the crumbs there are no problems with feeding him, experts advise preparing the mammary glands in advance. Breast preparation should become a mandatory procedure, it can be done at home, on your own, since such preparation itself is not difficult. Of course, a woman cannot influence the timing of the arrival of permanent milk. This process is due to the production of the hormone prolactin. But preparing your own nipples for feeding the baby is the task of the future woman in labor. Cracks, painful sores on the nipples often stop the process of feeding the baby into a rather painful event. In order to prevent them, a woman is advised to properly approach the hygiene of the mammary glands even during pregnancy, especially when colostrum begins to be produced.

Wash your breasts with warm water, without soap, at least twice a day. A supportive maternity bra will help ease the uncomfortable, heavy sensations that accompany an increase in the number of lobules in the breast during childbearing.

To strengthen the mammary glands as part of their preparation, it is recommended to take a contrast shower daily, wear bra inserts.

Regarding the advice to rub the nipples with a rough towel, massage them, you should definitely consult a doctor - excessive stimulation of the nipples leads to an increase in the level of oxytocin in the body, which can provoke premature birth. In obstetrics of the Soviet period, such recommendations really took place and were applied mainly in late pregnancy. Modern obstetrics has a slightly different view on this matter - it is possible to prepare nipples with massage and stimulation only for those women whose pregnancy proceeds without complications and pathologies.

The technique of putting the baby to the chest, if a woman is going to give birth to her first child, is also worth studying in advance. Not every maternity hospital devotes enough time to this issue.

It is always easier for multiparous people to apply a child - there is appropriate experience. Active preparation of the breast for the upcoming breastfeeding is recommended not earlier than the 38th week of pregnancy, while the hygienic requirements for the care of the mammary glands are valid from the very first months of gestation.

What is taught in the courses?

Free courses for pregnant women are not a showcase event, as some people think. This is a great opportunity to ask all the burning questions not to faceless advisers on the Internet, but real graduates. Classes at the prenatal school are taught by obstetricians, gynecologists, pediatricians, neonatologists, psychologists and social service specialists.

Thus, training in such courses is multifaceted and very interesting. Women are told how childbirth begins, how contractions develop, how to ease them, how to behave in the process of attempts, how the early recovery period after childbirth goes, what recommendations should be followed to make rehabilitation faster and easier.

Pediatricians and neonatologists will talk about how to care for a baby in the first days of his life, how to feed a baby, how to treat an umbilical wound and prevent diaper rash. Psychologists can help you set yourself up for childbirth and avoid postpartum depression, and social service specialists will advise on childbirth benefits and payments due to a particular family and tell you how to quickly apply for them.

If a partner birth is planned, both partners must attend classes. If the presence of a husband is expected, then he will be taught to give his wife a relaxing massage, they will show effective poses for partner childbirth in which a woman can wait out the next labor pain. And also at the courses, the partner will be provided with a list of tests and examinations that need to be done in order to be admitted to the maternity hospital with the woman in labor. Lectures are held both in the daytime and in the evenings, it will be convenient for those who work or study, and for those who are already on maternity leave and have a lot of free time.

How to choose a maternity hospital?

Previously, women did not have the right to choose, a woman in labor was hospitalized either in the maternity hospital at her place of residence, or in the maternity hospital on duty, if she was taken by ambulance. Since 2006, every pregnant woman has been legally enshrined in the right to independently choose a maternity hospital or perinatal center where she wants to give birth to her child. This right is supported by a birth certificate. It is issued in a antenatal clinic, where a pregnant woman is observed along with a sick leave when she goes on maternity leave.

If childbirth is planned on a paid basis, then there is no need for a birth certificate. A woman will be able to negotiate the conditions with the management of the selected maternity hospital on her own- a contract for paid medical services usually implies the presence of a certain doctor or obstetrician at the birth, a high-comfort ward before and after childbirth, the use of epidural anesthesia not according to indications, but at the own request of the puerperal, the presence of a partner at the birth, free visits to the puerperal in a separate box by relatives.

The same services, except for free visits by relatives and the VIP ward, can be obtained free of charge, but on condition that the obstetrician will be on duty on the day the birth begins, and the presence of the partner will be allowed by the management of the maternity hospital. When choosing a maternity hospital, a woman can be guided by her own preferences, reviews of other pregnant women and puerperas.

It also does not hurt to visit the selected obstetric institution and clarify the following questions:

• conditions for prenatal and postnatal stay - which wards, how many places, where the bathroom is located, is there a shower;
• conditions of stay of children - joint with mothers or separate;
• qualification of doctors and obstetricians, qualification of children's doctors, anesthesiologists;
• equipment and equipment - whether the maternity hospital has the necessary equipment to assist children and mothers in case of unforeseen dangerous complications.

You should take into account the remoteness of the hospital from the place of residence - think about relatives, because they visit you almost daily.

In the selected maternity hospital, you need to sign an exchange card after the 30th week of pregnancy. And also the woman will be given a memo about what documents and things you need to collect with you for hospitalization.

Collecting things

There are universal lists of things for the maternity hospital, but in each obstetric institution the list of acceptable items may differ. Therefore, you should definitely ask the staff of the selected maternity hospital what you need and what you don’t need to bring with you to a particular institution.

On average, the lists are pretty similar. A woman's bag in its classic version consists of three groups of things:

• For childbirth- the list is individual.
• For women in the postpartum period. A stay in the hospital usually requires washable slippers, a nightgown, a pack of maternity pads, a bathrobe, a cup and a spoon, as well as toilet paper, soap, toothbrush and paste.
• For a child. To care for a child, you need to take the smallest diapers for newborns, powder, baby cream, a few vests and sliders or diapers made from natural fabrics. A breast pump may also come in handy.

The set of required documents is always the same, regardless of the chosen maternity hospital. It includes:

• the passport;
• policy;
• birth certificate;
• exchange card;
• medical card from the clinic (if there are concomitant chronic diseases);
• partner health certificates for partner births.

Some obstetric institutions also require a copy of the sick leave, the original of which, when leaving on maternity leave, the woman transferred to the accounting department at the place of work.

Recently, doctors strongly recommend that women take a pair of medical compression stockings with them to give birth to prevent complications with the vessels and veins of the lower extremities. It is important not to forget your mobile phone and charger for it, you can also take a book or magazine to pass your free time to good use.

If you have a caesarean section

Hospitalization before a planned operation, if indicated, must be taken seriously. The referral to the maternity hospital must be issued at the 38th week of pregnancy, because the operation itself is carried out after 39 weeks.

It is necessary to go to the hospital in advance, because before the operation the woman is carefully prepared in the maternity hospital - they do the necessary examinations, tests, choose the method of anesthesia.

A disposable razor, disposable diapers and compression stockings of the second degree of compression must be added to the list of things for a woman who is sent for a planned operation. If desired, a woman can also purchase and take with her a postpartum postoperative bandage, which will facilitate the recovery process after childbirth surgery.

In preparation for the upcoming birth, a woman must definitely enlist the support of the attending physician, with whom she is registered. He needs to be completely trusted. Only he will be able to answer with great accuracy what a particular pregnant woman can drink for a headache, whether she needs to drink a decoction of raspberry leaves before giving birth, and others.

“Dowry” for the baby, many try to collect in advance. This point of preparation really needs to be given special attention. But everything needs to be done in advance so that it does not happen that in the last days before giving birth, a woman will run around children's shops instead of resting.

According to women, after appropriate planned preparation, which covers all of the above aspects, it is easy and even noticeably calmer to go to the hospital than spontaneously in the hope of a good outcome. Of course, no one can foresee all possible situations, all possible complications in advance - neither the doctor nor the pregnant woman. But a woman must remember the main thing - she is in good hands. If something goes wrong, she will definitely help. Modern medicine is at a fairly high level, so infant and female mortality during childbirth is now extremely low, and the percentage of complications is decreasing.

Childbirth is, although natural, but quite a complex and responsible process that requires a lot of strength and energy from the expectant mother. Often they lead to such unpleasant consequences as emotional stress, ruptures or uterine bleeding. To avoid this and make this process as easy and safe as possible for mother and child, a thorough one is needed, which can be done independently or with the help of a specialist.

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Important Points

Full preparation for childbirth includes not only moderate physical activity, but also emotional mood, proper nutrition and timely visits to a gynecologist.

The expectant mother must be ready for the birth of a child both physically and emotionally. It is recommended to start from the beginning of the 3rd trimester.

As for the development of the right emotional mood, this can be done from the first months of pregnancy.

To prepare for a successful birth, expectant mothers need to:

• be aware of what happens at each stage;
• know how to behave in the delivery room;
• understand what the possible consequences are and why they arise.

Strengthening the body

The algorithm of physical preparation of the body for the birth of a baby:

• hardening of the body - a daily contrast shower, pouring cold water in the morning, rubbing the body with a towel dipped in cold water. Such procedures will strengthen the immune system, improve muscle and skin tone;
• daily walks in the fresh air;
• special exercises that allow you to prepare for childbirth all the muscles that receive in this process. They can be performed independently at home or in a group under the supervision of an experienced specialist;
• perineal massage before childbirth;
• general body massage, which allows you to relieve muscle tension, reduce leg swelling, improve well-being and blood circulation.

Any physical activity contraindicated in a pregnant woman with sudden changes in blood pressure, as well as those who have a high risk of preterm labor. Exercises should be selected based on the age and characteristics of the physique, gestational age and the general condition of the expectant mother.

Emotional preparation

As a rule, a future mother who gives birth for the first time can feel a strong fear of the birth of a child.

Therefore, she needs to get rid of such fear as soon as possible and develop a positive emotional attitude.

This can be done using the following methods:

1. Attending specialized training courses for the birth of a baby, which will allow a pregnant woman not only to acquire a lot of pleasant emotions and pleasure from communication, but also to get useful information about what you need to know about the very process of having a baby, as well as get rid of the usual prejudices about childbirth. It is advisable to attend courses to prepare for the birth of a healthy baby with the future father.
2. Reading specialized literature about the psychological component of the process of childbirth and how to prepare for childbirth without pain.
3. Developing a positive attitude and good mood through watching pleasant films and reading positive books, visiting the theater, art exhibitions and classical music concerts.
4. Positive visualization of easy childbirth and the birth of a healthy baby. It is best to do it every day at the same time. To achieve the best effect, you can turn on, light incense or an aromatic lamp with pleasant oils.

The benefits of proper breathing

A huge benefit for the well-being of the expectant mother plays correct breathing, which also acts as a guarantee of easy childbirth without severe pain. There is a special set of breathing procedures that can:

• reduce toxicity;
• saturate the body of mother and baby with much-needed oxygen;
• normalize blood pressure.

Breathing exercises can be done in various body positions convenient for a pregnant woman: lying down, sitting, standing, in the lotus position, etc.

Basic exercises to prepare for childbirth:

• Breathing through the chest: take a deep breath through the nose, and then slowly exhale through the mouth.
• Diaphragm breathing: put one palm on top of the chest and the other on the stomach, inhale deeply, gradually filling the stomach with air, then exhale and hold your breath for a little.
• Like a dog: get on all fours and stick out your tongue, while you need to breathe often. This breathing technique will be needed for painful contractions.

Note! To get a positive effect from breathing exercises, you need to do it systematically. A combination of breathing exercises with pleasant music also gives a good effect.

First you need to do one cycle of breathing procedures, and then increase it to 5-10 repetitions. Number of cycles directly depends on how the woman feels.. If for some reason during breathing exercises a woman feels nausea and dizziness, then it is necessary to reduce the intensity of the gymnastics or postpone the exercises until the next day.

Useful exercises

Preparing a mother for childbirth includes complex of simple physical exercises. Before performing certain exercises, you should consult with an obstetrician.

Classic exercises to prepare for childbirth, providing easy labor, are as follows:

1. Having taken a standing position, you need to slowly squat down and fix this position for up to 20 seconds. Gradually, this time should be extended to 1 minute.
2. Sit on a soft mat, bending your left leg under you, and stretching your right leg in front of you. Stretch to the toe of the outstretched leg and fix this position of the body for 20 minutes.
3. Take a comfortable lying position, gradually relaxing the muscles in the following sequence: lower limbs, buttocks and abdomen.

Women who are interested in how to prepare for childbirth without pain should turn to the famous Kegel exercises, the main emphasis of which is on the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the muscles of the vagina.

Perineal massage before childbirth is necessary for strengthening and improving muscle tone who are directly involved in labor activity.

Correctly and systematically performed massage procedures will minimize damage to the perineum during delivery.

Self-preparation of the perineum for childbirth includes the following steps:

1. Take a warm shower that will allow the woman to relax the muscular system.
2. Take a comfortable position lying on the couch and place a mirror in front of you to control the process of massage procedures.
3. Treat the perineal and vaginal area with natural olive oil.
4. Insert the thumbs of both hands into the vagina for about 2-3 cm. Make gentle pressure and stretching movements up and down for a couple of minutes.
5. Insert the thumbs of both hands into the vagina and carry out gentle stretching movements to the right and left at the same time.
6. Gently knead the perineum area with your fingers.

Massage can be started at any stage of pregnancy.

Massage before childbirth every other day or daily.

Since, due to the large belly, it is very difficult for a pregnant woman to massage the perineum before childbirth on her own, the expectant mother can entrust this procedure to her husband or contact an experienced specialist.

Breast preparation

Knowing how to prepare your breast for breastfeeding avoid painful cracks on the nipples and discomfort during the lactation process. You can prepare yourself in the comfort of your own home. An experienced obstetrician will tell you how to properly prepare the breast.

The process of how to prepare the breast for lactation is as follows:

1. Every day, the chest should be watered with warm water, and then rubbed with a hard piece of cloth or a towel for 5 minutes.
2. Cut out 2 circles from a terry towel and sew them to the inside of the bra where the nipples rest against it. From contact with hard tissue, the nipples become coarser, thereby becoming less prone to cracks.
3. In the warm season, take air baths, finding a secluded place in the shade for this. You need to make sure that the direct rays of the sun do not fall on the chest.
4. Owners of flat nipples need to correct them with a special massage. It is necessary to carefully massage the movements of the hands to walk along the area of ​​​​the nipples, while slightly stretching them.

Nutrition Features

In the process of how to prepare yourself for childbirth, proper nutrition is of no small importance. It should be as useful as possible.

A pregnant woman should give up alcohol, tea, coffee and highly allergenic foods (honey, peanuts, etc.).

Changes dramatically in the 9th month of pregnancy, when the expectant mother faces the task prepare muscles for delivery.

Before the very appearance of the baby, it is necessary to adhere to a special diet that will strengthen the muscles of the pelvis and unload the female body.

Most often, doctors prescribe women such nutrition before childbirth for muscle elasticity:

1. Exclusion of meat products, minimizing the consumption of fish and eggs.
2. Minimizing the intake of calcium-rich foods such as milk, hard cheese and cottage cheese.
3. Introduction to Diet natural olive oil. This product can be added to salads or taken on an empty stomach for 1-2 tbsp. l. in a day. The oil improves muscle elasticity.
4. Daily consumption of raw carrots, which improves muscle tone.

The main menu of a woman before childbirth should consist of cereals cooked on water, thermally processed and fresh vegetables, fruits, soups in vegetable broth, a small amount of sour-milk products. 1.5 weeks before the baby is born, it is recommended to leave only fresh vegetables and fruits on the menu. On the day of childbirth, it is better not to eat, but only drink plain or mineral water without gas.

Note! Before making a decision about any changes in the diet, a woman should always consult with an experienced doctor.

Useful video: preparing for childbirth correctly

Conclusion

Thus, the process of how to prepare for childbirth on your own includes proper breathing, exercise, emotional preparation, strengthening immunity and special nutrition. Such an integrated approach contributes to the well-being of a pregnant woman and a positive emotional mood. Physical activity and diet allow you to make the muscles of the perineum more elastic, prepare them for easy and painless labor. you can find out from the link.

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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 close people, 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 a 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 the restoration of tissues 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 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. Most physicians, however, 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 should be avoided.

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

• Better commit gradual transition from a meat-based diet to a vegetable-based 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 start 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?