Only during childbirth. Contractions and childbirth. Common complications during labor and childbirth

The main life task of every woman is to bear and give birth to a healthy baby. In this article I would like to tell expectant mothers how childbirth occurs. What to expect from the process of labor, what difficulties may arise here - this is what I want to talk about now.

Preparation

Pregnancy and childbirth are the most important period in the life of every woman. And it must be said that even the birth itself depends on how the expectant mother’s pregnancy proceeded. What should you remember when carrying a baby?

Proper nutrition. The expectant mother should eat properly throughout her pregnancy. You should try to eliminate fried and fatty foods as much as possible, giving preference to cereals, vegetables and fruits. It is also important not to consume unhealthy foods such as fast food, chips, crackers, and soda. After all, everything that the mother eats, the baby also gets.
Bad habits. During pregnancy, the mother must completely give up bad habits, such as drinking alcohol (even in small doses) and smoking.
Daily regime. The expectant mother should walk a lot, often be in the fresh air. We must remember: pregnant does not mean sick. Moderate physical activity never hurt anyone.
Useful emotions. It is good if a pregnant woman experiences as many positive emotions as possible. This will have a great impact not only on her health, but also on the condition of her unborn child.
Visit doctor. Every pregnant woman must register on time and undergo periodic examinations. This way you can prevent many unpleasant situations related to the baby’s health.
Courses. Every expectant mother should remember that she must take courses. And even if this is not yet a mandatory procedure, it is still better to find out in advance how childbirth occurs, what to expect and what to fear during labor.

And this is not a complete list of the most important things to do for a future mother. However, by following at least these rules during pregnancy, you can help yourself and your child very well.

What happens to the body before childbirth?

While studying the topic “Pregnancy and Childbirth”, I would like to talk a little about what happens to the female body in the last weeks of bearing a baby. Thus, the level of progesterone, a hormone active throughout pregnancy, begins to fall. At this time, a hormone such as oxytocin begins to be gradually produced. It is he who is responsible for the onset of labor and the woman’s labor activity. The endocrine glands begin to work, which increase the sensitivity of the uterus to oxytocin. The time comes, and the lady begins to feel the first harbingers of labor - contractions.

Harbingers

When understanding how childbirth occurs, it is also necessary to say that there are also harbingers of labor. These are well-known fights. It is worth saying that they can also be false or, as they are also called, training. Their main differences: short duration, as well as mild pain. However, even a woman who has never given birth can recognize real grips. The first contractions will not last long, about 10 seconds each, the interval will also be quite large - from 5 to 10 minutes. This is still the time when a woman can be at home, she does not yet need to go to the hospital.

Period one. Disclosure

Understanding how childbirth occurs, it must be said that it is divided into three main stages. The first of them - cervical dilatation - is the longest.

For first-time mothers, it can last for 10-13 hours.
In multiparous women, most often for 6-8 hours.

At this time, contractions gradually increase, pain increases, and the duration between contractions decreases. It is worth saying that each time the cervix opens more and more. This will happen until the uterus, its cervix and the vagina itself form a single corridor along which the baby will move.

Difficulties of the first period

What difficulties may arise during this period? So, the most common case is a woman’s weak labor. This can be expressed in the following indicators:

The amniotic sac has burst, and contractions do not begin for a long time (this threatens the baby with oxygen starvation).
Fading contractions - their intensity decreases, the intervals between them decrease. However, if the amniotic sac has not yet burst, it’s okay, it means nature is giving the woman a break.

If a woman’s amniotic sac bursts and contractions do not begin, artificial stimulation of labor will be needed.

Second period. Attempts

Contractions will indicate that labor is moving into its second stage - pushing. If they last quite a long time, up to 1 minute, and the break between them is also approximately 1 minute, this means that the woman will see her baby very soon. The attempts themselves occur involuntarily, regardless of the woman’s desire. However, the expectant mother can control them (if necessary, help, strengthen, if necessary, hold). It is definitely worth mentioning that during pushing, the woman in labor should listen carefully to the doctors. After all, only they can competently manage labor, advising the woman to act in a certain way.

Choosing a pose

If a woman is having a normal birth, she can try to independently choose the position in which it will be easiest for her to give birth. Many doctors say that giving birth lying down is unnatural. Therefore, during labor, the expectant mother should carefully listen to her body and choose the right position.

Squatting, leaning on the hands (this is how people give birth in Mexico and Tibet).
Holding onto a bar while standing (practised by some African tribes).
Sitting on my husband's lap (European countries).
Leaning your back against the back of an assistant, sitting (practice in Russia and some European countries).
Leaning on your knees and holding special levers (Asian countries).

In any case, most clinics today offer women to choose their own position for childbirth, and this is a huge breakthrough in domestic medicine.

Dangers of the second period

What is it - difficult childbirth? So, it is worth saying that labor is called difficult if it occurs with certain complications, which include:

Entwining the baby with the umbilical cord (there is a danger that during childbirth it will tighten around the baby’s neck).
Helping the mother during the passage of the head (often doctors cut the perineum when the baby cannot pass the last stage of the birth canal on his own).
Incorrect position of the baby. Correct birth is when the baby walks head first. However, there is a child. In this case, the maximum participation of doctors in the woman’s labor is important.
Baby's behavior after birth. Everyone knows that a child should cry as soon as he is born. This will mean that his lungs have opened and he is breathing. However, often the child needs help. The competent actions of doctors are very important here.

Period three: delivery of the placenta

If a woman has a proper birth, she should know that after the baby is born, labor does not end. There is another important stage - the birth of the placenta or baby's place. It is worth saying that this should happen soon after the baby is born. To do this, the mother may be asked to push again. An excellent stimulation for the birth of the placenta is nipple stimulation. To do this, it is enough to attach a newborn baby to the breast. It is important to note that during the birth of the placenta, some blood may be released. There is no need to be afraid of this, this is how it should be. And only after the birth of the baby’s place, the uterus will sharply shrink, the blood vessels will shrink, and the bleeding will stop.

Dangers of the third period

The main danger of the last stage of labor: non-expulsion of the placenta. The maximum time that can be given to a lady’s body: 40 minutes. After this, the woman will need to receive medical care. After all, after this period, the uterus may begin to close. However, at this time it is strictly forbidden to pull on the umbilical cord; such behavior can cause bleeding. You should try to stimulate the appearance of a baby's place by attaching the baby to the breast. If this does not help, doctors will come to work and, with the help of various medications, will do everything that is necessary.

Difficult birth

Often women may be interested in the question: “What is this, difficult childbirth?” So, it is worth saying that this term is often used to describe even normal childbirth, which was somewhat delayed, or during which the lady experienced too much pain. However, it is not. According to medicine, difficult childbirth is:

i.e. artificial induction of labor. This is necessary if the mother is longer than the 41st week, if the mother and baby have an Rh conflict, if the amniotic sac ruptures prematurely, etc.
Accelerated birth, when the baby comes out quickly, and the woman’s body simply does not have time to prepare for pushing.
Complications. That is, when some problems are discovered during labor. This could be entanglement of the baby’s umbilical cord, detachment, suffocation of the fetus, significant blood loss, ruptures of various degrees.
Early labor, when a woman goes into labor much earlier than her due date. This is also fraught with various kinds of complications.
Incorrect position of the baby. This is also a difficult birth, when the baby does not walk head first, but in a slightly different way (sideways, legs forward).

Childbirth at home

It is worth saying that today birth at home is actively practiced. Reviews about this, of course, are mixed (especially from doctors). A huge advantage is that a woman will give birth in her usual environment; she will not have the stress associated with changing her place of stay. However, there are many more disadvantages in this scenario. First of all, it must be said that in this case it is imperative to call not only a midwife, but also a doctor who can help if necessary. It is also important to say that a huge disadvantage of such births is that often the doctor does not have the necessary equipment at hand, which can only be located within the walls of a medical institution (an intensive care room for both mother and baby). However, if everything is fine with the woman, the pregnancy proceeded without complications, and there is a qualified doctor nearby, you can safely try to give birth in your own home.

Water birth

If a woman is not having her first pregnancy (second birth), she may want to try to somehow relieve the pain she experiences during labor (she already knows what she is going through, unlike first-time mothers). In this case, you can try to give birth to the baby in water. It is worth saying that water itself perfectly relieves pain and helps the mother relax even during the most difficult periods of labor. Doctors recommend that women stay in water during contractions if possible. However, it should be equal to the woman’s body temperature - 37°. If the water is warmer, there is a risk that the contractions will subside (this is harmful for labor in general), but if it is cooler, the woman may simply freeze. As for the pushing process, it is worth saying that women who give birth in water go through this stage much more quickly. However, during such births a doctor (not just a midwife) must also be present. After giving birth, the woman should lie down, put the baby to her chest and rest.

Postpartum period

Having considered first-time mothers and all other women in labor, it is also necessary to say a few words about the fact that it is also no less important. Approximately two hours after labor, a woman must be under the close attention of doctors (since during this time, dangerous problems may arise life bleeding and other problems). After giving birth, the baby must be put to the breast immediately, this is very important. After this, the baby is weighed and his height is measured, then he is placed next to his mother. After this, the work of the doctors who delivered the woman ends. After two hours, the lady is transferred to the postpartum ward, where she is under observation for some time (along with the newborn). If everything is normal, mother and child will be discharged in three days. Otherwise, their stay within the walls of a medical institution may be prolonged. During this period, the woman is taught the main rules of caring for the baby.

How does a child feel during childbirth and how should he behave to help his baby?

How does a baby understand that “it’s time”?

Childbirth is a kind of program that starts long before the baby is born.

At another 38-40 weeks, a woman may experience “training” contractions. They are short and not accompanied by unpleasant sensations or pain, but appear with one purpose - to prepare the body of mother and child for real contractions and childbirth. The baby remembers these vibrations and then “recognizes” them during childbirth, which helps him quickly adapt to the process.

Birth plan

Contractions are the first stage of labor. Normally it takes the longest. Looking at a woman in this period, one gets the impression that now she is the main character. But this is a mistaken opinion. The main role in the onset of labor and the initiation of contractions is given to the baby. When the fetus is ready for birth, it releases hormones (oxytocin and corticotropin), to which the mother's body responds by producing prostaglandin, which triggers contractions.

The second stage of labor is pushing. They are shorter than contractions, but more intense. At this stage of childbirth, the roles of mother and baby are equal. After the cervix dilates, the baby should move a few centimeters along the birth canal. In this it is helped by the displacement of the skull bones, which are connected by cartilage and move easily, reducing the diameter of the head and thereby facilitating the process of passage through the birth canal. Both participants help each other so that the birth goes smoothly and the baby is born without complications.

In the third stage of labor Only mom works. The baby rests, getting used to everything around him: new sounds, temperature, etc.

Stage one: the beginning of change

The first thing the baby feels during this period of labor is the disappearance of the feeling of weightlessness. This occurs as a result of rupture of the membranes and leakage of amniotic fluid. He begins to feel a force of attraction, which, one might say, he had not felt before due to being in the amniotic fluid. Almost simultaneously, vibrations familiar from false contractions begin. But now they are stronger and more frequent. These are contractions during which the cervix slowly opens under the influence of hormones, about 1 cm per hour. The muscles of the upper part of the uterus actively contract and begin to push the baby towards the birth canal. Unusually strong vibrations affect the baby, he is a little worried, which can be seen on the monitor of the ultrasound machine. There is another problem - lack of oxygen. During contractions, the blood vessels in the placenta narrow and the blood flow in them slows down, and the baby does not receive enough oxygen. If during contractions a mother thinks only about her pain, screams and does not breathe correctly, then the child has a very difficult time.

Our advice. In between contractions you need to relax. This is necessary not only for the baby, but also for the mother. Muscle tension increases pain. Don't be nervous, don't panic, watch your emotions. Adrenaline, released when feeling fear, harms the baby by disrupting the functioning of his heart. Do not Cry. Because of the screaming, the baby practically does not receive oxygen, and he has less and less strength for birth.

Pushing stage: working together

Soon the cervix dilates completely, by about 10 cm, contractions become more frequent, and the pain becomes stronger, and oxytocin is produced in the mother’s body, which provokes the appearance of pushing. This is how the second stage of childbirth begins - the stage of active work between mother and baby already in the delivery room. In addition to the fact that during pushing, the compression and lack of oxygen become stronger, the child’s pulse also increases: up to 180 beats per minute. Now the baby has only one way out - outside. And it begins its movement along the narrow birth canal, stretching the muscles of the pelvic floor and vagina. The “stepping reflex”, thanks to which the baby pushes away from the fundus of the uterus, helps him move in the right direction. The impact of the baby’s movement along the birth canal on the tissues and receptors located in them makes the mother want to push. Do not resist this desire because of pain, try to tense the necessary muscles in time. The pain that a woman feels at the birth of a baby is within her power, because... nature took care to reduce pain. In anticipation that everything will end soon, the mother’s body begins to produce “happiness hormones” - endorphins, which act as a natural pain reliever for mother and child.

The most important thing now for the baby is the emergence of his head. The head comes out the hardest, despite nature’s mechanism for changing its diameter due to the shifting of the skull bones. As soon as his head comes out, you can calm down, because the rest of the body will appear much easier. Everything that a woman in labor does just before the head comes out is of great importance and is aimed at helping the baby to be born.

Our advice. Listen to the midwife's commands, this will help you behave correctly in the most critical period of childbirth and distribute your strength. In between attempts, do not forget to breathe correctly: deep breathing has a calming effect on the child, and frequent and shallow breathing gives him the necessary oxygen. During the pushing period, the baby relies on the forces of nature and his mother. Help your baby be born healthy, no one else will do this but you.

The third stage: the birth of the baby

When a newborn is born, he or she enters the air, and air enters his lungs, straightening them. Until the umbilical cord is cut, the baby has some time to adapt. After all, he never breathed with the help of his lungs, and he received all the oxygen necessary for life from his mother’s blood. But, as soon as the baby loses contact with the mother’s body through the placenta, he is forced to start breathing on his own. As a rule, a sharp breath brings painful sensations due to unusual distension in the chest, so normally the child’s first breath is accompanied by a cry.

Coming out of the mother's womb, the child is faced with a temperature difference that is approximately 10-15C. This helps to launch another important mechanism for the body - thermoregulation. To help the baby adapt quickly, use a table with an infrared lamp and, of course, a hug from the mother.

Contacting the mother’s body immediately after birth, the newborn calms down thanks to her voice, perceiving it as a vibration to which it has become accustomed for 9 months. He recognizes exactly the mother’s voice, and the baby perceives all other sounds, if they are not too loud, as background. In the first hour after birth, in the arms of his mother, the baby finds himself in the space that is most understandable and familiar to him, because in addition to the mother’s voice, he also hears the sounds of her heart and breathing, which remind him of what he heard in the womb. Being in close contact with the mother, the newborn also feels her familiar smell (it has been established that amniotic fluid “smells like mother”).

All together has a calming effect on the baby. And this close connection with the mother, which symbolizes protection for the child from the outside world, persists throughout the entire period of infancy and begins to weaken only when the baby reaches the age of three.

After birth, the baby not only hears, but also distinguishes everything that is half a meter away from him. Therefore, in the first minutes after birth, the child remembers the images that he sees nearby (imperinting). This mechanism also helps to establish a close bond between the child and parents.

Our advice. Anything that reminds a child of life in the womb helps him adapt to the new world. Therefore, after the birth of the baby, it is very important if the midwife or doctor rushes not to cut the umbilical cord, but first to attach the newborn to the mother’s chest. Tell your child how happy you are and how much you love him. Let your voice and your warmth be the first thing your child hears and feels in this big world.

How to calm a newborn
There are several techniques to calm the baby, which work according to the laws of logic and physiology:
1. Take the child in your arms and hold him close to you. So the baby will immediately remember the intrauterine period of life in a limited warm space.
2. Rock your newborn or walk around the room while holding him in your arms. This will remind the baby of the swaying that he felt when his mother walked, being in her stomach.
3.When rocking, you can lightly pat him on the butt, this will remind the baby of the rhythm of his mother’s heart, the beats of which he felt in the womb.
4. And the hissing sounds “ch”, “sch” and “sh” (for example, in the word “quieter”) calm the child, reminding him of the noise of the mother’s lungs and intestines.
5. No matter what kind words the mother says to the child, he will calm down. Because he will hear the voice that is most dear to him.

As you know, the calmness of the woman in labor, as well as the “disposition” to follow the instructions of the doctor and midwife, largely determine the outcome of the birth. Let's talk about what the “correct” behavior of a woman is at each stage of this complex process and how to behave during childbirth.

Labor activity

Periods of labor

As a rule, the process of childbirth begins with contractions - involuntary contractions of the muscles of the uterus. Contractions open the cervix. The first stage of labor begins with the onset of regular labor and ends with the complete opening of the cervix (10-12 cm).

If labor begins with contractions, then it is necessary, if possible, to remember the time of the first contraction, and then clearly (preferably on paper) record the time of contractions: what time each contraction begins and how long it lasts. Such records will help your doctor determine the time of the onset of regular labor, judge its correctness and timely diagnose the weakness of labor, in which the intervals between contractions become large and the contractions themselves become short. Recording contractions will help you take your mind off the pain that may accompany them. In addition, in this way you will be able to distinguish true contractions from false ones. If during true contractions the duration of contractions of the uterine muscles increases and the intervals between contractions decrease, then during false contractions the intervals between contractions are different and tend to increase.

If before the start of regular labor (contractions) your amniotic fluid leaks, you need to remember the time at which it leaked or began to leak and get ready for the maternity hospital. The fact is that the amniotic sac is a barrier to infection entering the uterine cavity and the fetus. Therefore, from the moment of rupture of amniotic fluid until the birth of the baby, no more than 12 hours should pass, otherwise the likelihood of infection is very high.

Childbirth can also begin with preliminary pain - nagging pain in the lower abdomen, and more often in the lumbar region, which does not have a periodicity, that is, it occurs at different intervals and has different durations. After observing yourself for 1 - 1.5 hours and realizing that these are preliminary pains, but not contractions, you can take 2 tablets of no-shpa, 2 tablets of valerian and try to sleep. If these actions do not lead to a positive result, then it is necessary to seek help from the maternity hospital, since preliminary pain exhausts the woman and predisposes her to the development of weakness in labor in the future. In the maternity hospital, for preliminary pain, the woman is given medicated sleep and rest.

The appearance of copious bright red bleeding at any stage of labor is a reason to contact the maternity hospital. Such discharge may be a sign of placental abruption, in which the baby experiences an acute state of oxygen deficiency, and the mother experiences bleeding. It should be noted that normally during childbirth there is slightly bloody or bloody discharge.

After you understand (assume) that you are in labor, you should not eat or drink. This is due to the following rules. In the first stage of labor, reflex vomiting may occur during the opening of the cervix. A full stomach predisposes to this trouble. In addition, any childbirth can be considered as a potentially risky situation due to the need for surgical intervention, because theoretically any childbirth can end in a cesarean section, there may be a need for manual separation of the placenta, etc. The listed surgical interventions are carried out against the background of anesthesia, and at the time of giving anesthesia, regurgitation is possible, that is, the release of stomach contents into the oral cavity, and from there into the lungs. A full stomach is a predisposing factor for such complications.

It is very important not to hold your breath during contractions. During the period when the muscles of the uterus tense, the lumen of all uterine vessels narrows, including those that go to the placenta, that is, they nourish the fetus. Therefore, it is extremely important to use any of the suggested breathing techniques. All these types of breathing, used at the moment of contraction, ensure that an increased amount of oxygen enters the woman’s blood, and therefore delivers a sufficient amount of blood to the fetus.

For less painful contractions, a type of breathing that can be called slow is suitable. The ratio of the duration of inhalation and exhalation is 1:2. Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth. It is very important to remember that you need to start and end the contraction with a calm inhalation and exhalation.

You can breathe this way not only at the beginning, but throughout the entire birth: everything will depend on your feelings, on the nature of labor and, what is very important, on your psychological and theoretical preparedness.

During the active phase of labor, when contractions become more painful and frequent, you may find it helpful to breathe with a vocal expression of pain. In this case, the exhalation is “sung” or “pronounced” with the vowels o, a or u. In this case, the sound sung should be low; this is important because when pronouncing low sounds, a large group of muscles in the body (including the pelvic floor muscles, cervix) involuntarily relaxes. At high notes, cervical spasm is likely.

Also, for the first stage of labor, you can master breathing “through plump lips.” At the peak of the contraction, inhale through your nose with a loud sniffle, and exhale through your mouth, creating a “puffy lip” and making a “poo” sound.

You can also use the diaphragmatic-thoracic type of breathing. Its frequency is arbitrary: it will be determined by your sensations. At the beginning of the contraction, 3-4 deep diaphragmatic-thoracic inhalations and exhalations are performed. At the same time, place your hand on your stomach in the navel area, the other on your chest. During inhalation (contraction of the diaphragm), you should strive to ensure that the hand lying on your stomach rises higher than the hand lying on your chest. When the hand lying on your stomach rises as much as possible, continue inhaling by expanding the chest, raising the hand lying on it.

With the development of labor, as the intensity of contractions increases, and the intervals between them become smaller and smaller, it becomes more and more difficult for many women in labor to realize the types of breathing that we talked about earlier, i.e. slower ones. There is a need to breathe frequently and shallowly – like a dog. The pattern of such breathing is as follows: on the rise - 1-2 diaphragmatic-thoracic inhalations and exhalations, with a deep cleansing exhalation, then inhale and at the peak of the contraction - frequent, shallow breathing, with the tongue pressed to the palate. At the end of the contraction, breathing becomes less frequent - a cleansing exhalation, and at the end - 2-3 diaphragmatic-thoracic inhalations and exhalations. The contraction lasts on average 40 seconds, at home this exercise should be performed for 20 seconds (to avoid hyperventilation - excess air intake, which can lead to dizziness).

During contractions you should not tense up - you should try to relax as much as possible. Tension prevents the opening of the cervix, the process of childbirth is delayed, which negatively affects both the condition of the woman in labor and the condition of the fetus. When the opening of the cervix is already large and close to full (10-12 cm), the tension prevents the head from moving along the birth canal, which prolongs labor.

After several hours of contractions, with a large opening of the cervix (more than 5-6 cm), as a rule, amniotic fluid is discharged. After the discharge of amniotic fluid, it is necessary to lie down and not get up, since the discharge of water, especially with polyhydramnios, can entail the umbilical cord or the fetal hand. Therefore, immediately after the release of amniotic fluid, a vaginal examination is performed, during which the head is pressed tightly against the pelvic bones, and the above-described complications no longer arise. The doctor records the fact that the head is pressed and, if necessary, spreads the membranes of the amniotic sac so that this happens during the examination and complications are excluded.

If the doctor does not give any special instructions, then during the first stage of labor (contractions) you can walk and take any comfortable vertical positions. The only thing you should not do is sit on a hard surface (chair, bed, etc.). This is due to the fact that by occupying any vertical position - standing with support on the back of a bed or chair, hanging on an assistant's neck or on a rope - you contribute to the advancement of the presenting part of the fetus along the birth canal. But you can sit on a ball or on the toilet if your doctor allows it. At the end of the first stage of labor, a situation may arise in which it is necessary to somewhat speed up the movement of the head along the birth canal (for example, when the opening of the cervix is already complete, and the head is moving slowly), or, conversely, to slow it down (for example, with premature birth) . In the first situation, the woman in labor is asked to squat, and in the second, she is asked to lie on her side.

It is very important to empty your bladder regularly during the first stage of labor. This needs to be done every two hours. A filled bladder interferes with intense contractions of the uterus.

Attempts

What to do during pushing

After several hours of contractions (8-10 hours during the first birth and 4-6 hours during the second), the cervix opens completely and a transition period begins when the baby’s head begins to intensively move down the birth canal.

After a while you will want to push, but call your doctor or midwife before doing so. You will be examined and then allowed to push. By the period of pushing, the cervix should be completely open, and if you start pushing on your own, for example, with the cervix not yet fully open, then cervical rupture will occur. Premature pushing can also have adverse effects on the fetus. The fact is that during movement along the birth canal, the fetal head configures, that is, the unfused bones of the head come one after another.

Thus, the size of the head gradually becomes smaller. If you start pushing before the head has “shrinked,” injuries (bleeds in the brain) may occur. In this case, the adaptation period for the baby will be more difficult. Some women in this situation become restless and scream. As a result, oxygen does not enter the lungs, and an oxygen deficiency is created in the blood, including the placental blood, which affects the condition of the child. At this stage, the woman in labor will also be helped by breathing like a “sob.” As the contraction rises, you exhale cleansingly and take a deep, full breath, then your breathing quickens and becomes shallow; three or four shallow breaths must be completed with an intense exhalation, sharply blowing through lips elongated into a tube, as if you were blowing out a candle or inflating a balloon. (This is exactly how a person breathes when he sobs). You can breathe on the count: one, two, three - exhale; one, two, three - exhale. At this stage of labor, doggy breathing is also suitable.

After the baby is born, your task is to give birth to a child's place. This is not difficult - to do this, you just need to push again after the midwife asks you to do so.

It will be easier to follow these tips if you remember that the most precious thing she has - the life and health of her child - depends on the reasonable behavior of a woman during childbirth.

23.07.2019 15:25:00 Excess weight: causes, consequences, ways to get rid of it Excess weight can be a source of various diseases and is a consequence of poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. However, this is not a death sentence or a reason to give up - getting rid of extra pounds is real!
22.07.2019 18:22:00 How to increase muscle and lose weight at the same time? Do you want to lose weight and build muscle through exercise and nutrition? But is it possible at the same time? Unfortunately, no, but if you act in order, everything will work out!
18.07.2019 16:27:00 10 ways to lose weight on your sides Consistent reduction of side fat is not possible mainly due to the fear of hunger, dieting and rigorous training. However, if you regularly put into practice the following 10 methods, you will be able to lose weight in your sides without much difficulty, but not in one day.
18.07.2019 16:05:00 Why should you eat raw almonds every day? Everyone loves the aroma of roasted almonds. Unfortunately, almonds in powdered sugar are a harmful product; 100 grams contain from 500 to 600 calories. But if you eat almonds unroasted, unpeeled and unsalted, you can benefit your health. This is why you should eat at least 10 grams of almonds every day.

Childbirth for a woman is an almost sacred event: it is difficult to be calm about the process of bringing a new life into the world. Especially if you have to give birth to this life yourself. Childbirth inevitably causes a lot of emotions: anticipation of a miracle, excitement, joy and, of course, fear.

Fear of pain and the unknown. And getting rid of this fear is the primary task of any woman even before the start of labor, because in order for childbirth to go smoothly, it is so important to be calm, balanced, and self-confident.

The easiest way to dispel fear- this is to understand how childbirth occurs in women, and how to alleviate painful conditions during childbirth. Of course, you can ask the doctors to administer painkillers. However, it is always better for labor to proceed as naturally as possible.

In addition, the painkiller can also affect the intensity of contractions, which is not at all desirable. Among other things, often a woman, having felt relief, becomes passive, but the duration of labor and its severity largely depend on the woman’s behavior.

In addition, if a woman understands what and how is happening in her body at one time or another, she will be able to alleviate her condition with the help of correct behavior and correct posture.

So, how does childbirth go? During childbirth, a woman and her baby go through three most important periods: dilation of the cervix, expulsion of the fetus and birth of the placenta. The duration of labor directly depends on a number of reasons, primarily on what kind of birth it is.

How do they go first birth? The birth canal has not yet developed, the child has to stretch it, and this complicates the birth, and therefore makes it longer. According to statistics, the first birth takes from 8 to 18 hours. In all subsequent births, the birth canal has already been stretched by the previous birth, and, as a rule, labor takes less time, usually about 5-6 hours.

By the way, if the interval between the first and second births is more than 8 years, it is believed that the birth canal completely restores its elasticity and “forgets” the process of childbirth, which negatively affects the duration of labor. Learn more about how the second, third, fourth and subsequent births proceed.

What other factors influence the duration of labor?

Fruit size . If the baby is large, it will be more difficult for him to pass through the birth canal. From time to time, in such cases, it is even necessary to resort to an emergency caesarean section. The same goes for “wrong” fetal presentation .

The presenting part is the part of the baby's body that is closest to the birth canal. The most common and desirable is the occipital presentation: the baby’s head is tilted, the chin is pressed to the chest, and the baby enters the pelvic area with the back of the head. It has the smallest diameter, which makes the difficult path easier. This arrangement accounts for up to 95% of all births.

In a facial presentation, the baby is positioned facing the cervix. In this position, the birth process is somewhat difficult due to the increased diameter of the head, and in some cases, if there are other complications, doctors may insist on a caesarean section. Of all the options for cephalic presentation, the most difficult is the frontal one. In this case, the baby's head is turned in such a way that it simply cannot physically pass into the birth canal. Frontal presentation is a sufficient indication for cesarean section.

The same can be said about horizontal presentation, when the baby is located across the uterus, with his back or stomach towards the exit. Natural delivery in this case is, of course, impossible. But with a pelvic or breech presentation, if there are no other complications, then the woman may well give birth herself. To make sure of this, even before the onset of labor, doctors carefully examine the woman, determine the size of the fetus, the size of the pelvis, and so on.

But, even if in this case the woman gives birth herself, the duration of labor will be somewhat longer. In addition, the woman in labor and the child will require additional attention from doctors.

Cervical dilatation - stage 1

Childbirth begins, as you know, with contractions. What is it? Normal muscle contraction. As you remember, the uterus is a kind of muscular sac that tightly hugs the child. The contraction of the uterus occurs gradually: from the fundus to the cervix. Thus, the walls of the uterus seem to pull the cervix, forcing it to open.

How do contractions occur and what causes them? It is believed that the reason for the onset of labor is the simultaneous occurrence of 2 factors: excessive stretching of the uterus, which is quite natural during the last days of labor, and the release of the hormone oxytocin into the blood, which stimulates uterine contractions. An overstretched uterus begins to strive to return to its previous size, or at least to one that does not cause discomfort.

The pituitary gland is responsible for the production of oxytocin. But what causes the release of hormones into the blood is not yet fully understood. There are several opinions on this matter. In particular, many believe that the child himself is responsible for the start of labor, which, as it were, tells the mother’s body that he is ready to be born, and the mother’s body, reacting to these signals, begins to intensively produce oxytocin.

The first contractions are usually not strong, not long, and the interval between them is quite long. However, gradually, the more the cervix opens, the more the contractions intensify and become more frequent. It is believed that you need to go to the maternity hospital when contractions occur every 10-15 minutes.

How is childbirth in the maternity hospital? In the emergency room of the maternity hospital, before sending a woman to the maternity ward, she will be carefully examined: weight, height, abdominal size, blood pressure will be measured, and a gynecological examination will be performed to clarify the condition of the cervix.

Following this, hygiene procedures are carried out: shaving the pubis and an enema. Why you need to shave your pubic hair is more or less clear: it makes it easier to conduct an examination. Why do you need such an unpleasant procedure as an enema? It's simple, emptying the intestines frees up space in the abdominal cavity, which makes childbirth easier.

In addition, there is always a risk of complications, as a result of which an emergency caesarean section will have to be performed, and during the operation the intestines must also be empty.

Only after all this will the woman be transferred to the maternity ward, where she will spend the entire first stage of labor.

Cervical dilatation also occurs in three phases . The first one is called latent, it usually lasts about 6 hours. If the birth is repeated, then about 5. During this time, the cervix dilates by 3-4 cm. The next phase is active. The rate of cervical dilatation at this stage increases significantly, reaching 2 cm per hour.

During the active phase, the diameter of the cervix increases to 8 cm. Deceleration phase– the last phase of cervical dilatation. During this phase, the cervix dilates to the required 10-12 cm.

Simultaneously with the dilation of the cervix, the fetus gradually moves towards the birth canal. It also occurs due to rhythmic contractions of the uterus. Thus, by the time of full dilatation, the child is already ready to enter the birth canal. In this case, part of the amniotic sac is drawn into the cervix by excess pressure. As a result, it breaks and occurs rupture of amniotic fluid .

In some cases, the membrane does not open on its own, then the obstetrician ruptures it. Sometimes the rupture of amniotic fluid occurs even before the cervix is fully dilated, in which case it is called early. It can also happen that the water breaks at the very beginning of the first stage of labor, or even before contractions begin. In this case, they speak of premature rupture of amniotic fluid.

That's probably all that can be said about the first stage of labor. All that remains is to talk about how you can alleviate the condition women at this stage. The most important thing is to breathe correctly during contractions. What is it for? Proper breathing, firstly, provides the mother and child with the necessary amount of oxygen.

This is also necessary because the lack of oxygen traditionally makes itself felt by pain. That is, if there is not enough oxygen in the uterus, contractions will be more painful.

Secondly, proper breathing helps relax muscles and also reduce nervous tension. Mineralization of nervous tension also has a positive effect on the well-being of the woman in labor.

What kind of breathing is considered correct? First of all, breathing must correspond to the specific moment. Before the contraction begins, when the woman already anticipates the tension of the uterus, she needs to breathe as deeply as possible, which will ensure a timely flow of oxygen.

When pain appears, indicating the onset of another contraction, the woman’s breathing should become fast and shallow. The diaphragm is practically not involved in such breathing, which means that the pressure on the uterus will be minimal.

At the peak of the contraction, you need to take 4 quick breaths, and then you can exhale calmly and slowly. After the contraction ends, all that remains is to take a deep breath in your stomach and also exhale deeply. In between contractions you need to breathe as usual.

In addition to breathing, a woman’s sensations are affected by her posture and, in general, mobility. Doctors recommend not lying down for the entire period of contractions, but walking around the room, sitting down, standing up, in general, taking those positions that are comfortable for you. The human body instinctively reaches for the position in which it is most comfortable. Often women tend to squat or kneel.

One more point: at the stage of cervical dilatation, many women try to push, thus hoping to speed up the process. However, contractions are an uncontrollable process, and it will not be possible to speed them up. You will only waste your energy, and it will be useful to you in the second and third stages. Regarding pushing, it is better to listen carefully to the instructions of the obstetrician.

Expulsion of the fetus - stage 2

From the moment of full dilation, the second phase of labor begins: expulsion of the fetus, or the actual birth of the child. It is much shorter than the previous one, and usually takes 20-30 minutes. By this time, the woman will be asked to take the position in which she is going to give birth.

Until recently, this meant lying on a bulky device that resembled a cross between a bed and a gynecological chair. In this position we can only talk about convenience for doctors and gynecologists. Indeed, when a woman lies in this position, the obstetrician can examine the process in detail.

However, the mother in labor will probably want to choose something else. Most the optimal position is considered when a woman is supported from behind by her armpits. Everything in this position contributes to delivery. Including gravity. Water births are no less popular.

However, the position for childbirth is, of course, very important, but not the most determining factor. It is much more important that the woman feels understanding and support throughout the second stage. This is why it is so important to choose an experienced and attentive obstetrician.

For the same reason, they are becoming more and more popular partner birth, which involve the presence of a loved one, usually a husband, in the delivery room. However, more and more often, women in labor invite mothers or other older relatives to the birth.

The most important feature of the second stage of labor is that at this stage a woman can help her child be born. Here are added to the usual contractions attempts: conscious tension of the muscles of the uterus, diaphragm and abdominal cavity. To get the best effect, you need to push at a certain time, and not constantly. Pay attention to the advice of your obstetrician.

It is equally important to know what awaits your baby when he is born. For him, everything that happens is supposedly a shock. This is understandable: he lived for 9 months in the most cozy and pleasant house, he didn’t have to do anything, oxygen and food came to him on their own, he felt warm and comfortable. And suddenly his small and familiar house begins to shrink, literally pushing him into the unknown.

Just in time for the beginning of the second stage of labor, the baby seems to find a way out: birth canal. However, on this road to the light he has to overcome so much: the cervix, the pelvic bones, the muscles of the perineum. And all this only to experience acute pain from sharply opening lungs, the cold of the environment and similar sensations.

However, nature is wise and will not subject its children to unbearable tests. Both mother and child are fully capable of enduring the birth process. The organisms of both are adapted to facilitate as much as possible such an important process in everyone’s life.

Thus, by the end of pregnancy, the bones of a woman’s pelvis move somewhat apart due to the relaxation of joints and ligaments in order to allow the baby to pass through. In addition, the fetal skull bones are not yet fused at birth. Thanks to this, they can compress, slightly changing the shape of the skull and allowing the child to come out. The muscles of a woman's perineum - the last barrier to life - are elastic enough to stretch under the weight of a child.

A woman’s efforts also influence the ease of childbirth. Therefore the mother should actively participate in such an important process for her. Her main task will be pushing and proper breathing. What can a woman do in the second stage of labor for her baby?

Feeling the approach of the next contraction, the woman should take a comfortable position, relax the perineum and generally relax as much as possible. You need to breathe deeply.

When the contraction begins, you need to take a deep breath through your nose and hold your breath. This will allow you to move the aperture down as much as possible. The diaphragm begins to put pressure on the uterus, increasing the impact. After finishing the inhalation, you need to tense your abdominal muscles, starting from the stomach area. However, the perineal muscles should not be strained.

If the contraction is prolonged and you cannot hold your breath for its entire length, exhale sharply through your mouth, take another deep breath and hold your breath again.

The attempts continue until the end of the fight. Between contractions, a woman's breathing should be deep and calm.

The hardest part is over: the baby’s head emerged from the woman’s vagina. In a newborn, the head is the largest part of the body, which means things will go easier from there. The obstetrician will help the child release one shoulder first, then the other, and then everything will go very easily. When the baby just leaves the birth canal, he wants. Usually after this he starts screaming. For a long time, this cry was considered a sign of the child’s vitality, and if he himself did not want to scream, the doctors did their best to encourage him to do so. Now they pay more attention to the color of the child’s skin, his reflexes, breathing, and so on. First of all, the child is examined, and after that, if the condition of both does not cause concern, they are placed on the mother’s stomach.

Skin-to-skin contact, as this action is called, is very useful in establishing a bond between mother and child. Immediately after birth, they are still connected by the umbilical cord, but it is already useless; it is cut and bandaged. There are no nerve endings in the umbilical cord, so neither the mother nor her baby will feel it. After a few days, the remaining piece on the baby’s navel dries out and falls off. After a few more days, the wound he left heals.

Birth of the placenta - stage 3

What happens to the second end of the umbilical cord? After all, the placenta to which it is attached is still inside the mother. This problem is solved during the third stage of labor: expulsion of the placenta. After a short rest, the uterus begins to contract again. These sensations are not nearly as painful, but they are just as necessary as contractions.

As a result of contractions, the placenta separates from the walls of the uterus and exits in the same way, through the cervix and perineum. The last contractions close the blood vessels that supplied the placenta with blood. This is necessary to prevent bleeding after childbirth. Of course, it will not be possible to avoid them completely, but the less blood a woman loses, the better.

To enhance the final contractions of the uterus, the mother's nipples can be postulated, or better yet, attach to baby's chest. As a result, the hormone oxytocin is released into the woman’s blood, which, among other things, causes uterine contractions.

After the birth of the placenta, the obstetrician carefully examines the placenta. It is necessary to ensure that it is in satisfactory condition. In addition, its integrity is checked. In some cases, the placenta is not completely separated. In this case, additional intervention is necessary, otherwise the remnants of the placenta rot inside the uterus, which is fraught with complex pathologies, including infertility and removal of the uterus.

The final stage of labor is stitching up tears in case it was not possible to do without them. After this, the mother and child spend another 2 hours in the postpartum ward, where they will stay until discharge.

Over the course of several days, the condition of the mother and child will be closely monitored, including changes in the baby’s weight, his reflexes, the condition of the mother’s stitches and the amount of bleeding. Usually after 3-5 days the woman and child are discharged home, and this is a completely different story, although no less exciting.

That, in fact, is all a woman needs to know about how childbirth occurs. Of course, reality may differ somewhat from the scenario described here. Especially when it comes to special births. Much depends on at what stage the woman gets to the maternity hospital, what complications there were during pregnancy, what the examination before childbirth will show, and so on. If you are worried about your condition due to any complications known to you, you can check with your doctor about what and how will happen in your particular case.

I like!

Latest questions on the site

Replies

Useful prohibitions

Or what not to do during childbirth

Nowadays there is a lot of talk about the fact that childbirth is a natural, or, in the language of doctors, a physiological process. But this does not mean that at the moment the baby is born, his mother can behave as she pleases. In order for the birth of a baby to end successfully, a woman needs to learn some restrictions that must be observed during childbirth.

Don't forget your exchange card . When going to the maternity hospital, you definitely need to put this important document in your bag, because in its absence, doctors can glean information about your pregnancy only from your lips, but even if you are a doctor and all the information presented turns out to be reliable, then there is no official confirmation that you went through all the examinations and tests, no. And this circumstance allows us to think that the tests, in particular for AIDS, syphilis and hepatitis, could be positive. Therefore, a woman without an exchange card may not be admitted to the maternity hospital or placed in a special observational unit. You also need to take your passport with you, and if a contract was concluded with the maternity hospital, then documents confirming this. In addition, you must have an insurance policy with you, preferably with a copy.

By the way, if you forget some of your personal belongings at home, it will not be so important, because in all maternity hospitals, if necessary, you will be given slippers (but it is better, of course, to take them with you), and a robe and nightgown in the overwhelming majority In most medical institutions, it is obligatory for the mother to give birth.

You can't rush, you can't fuss. With the onset of labor, with the first contraction, there is no need to rush out of the house. After all, contractions - involuntary contractions of the muscles of the uterus, manifested by pain in the lower abdomen or lower back - may at first be irregular and appear at long intervals (30 minutes or more). Such contractions in no way lead to rapid dilatation of the cervix; they allow you to take your time, think everything through, get ready and get to the maternity hospital. Thus, the duration of the first birth, as a rule, is 10-12 hours, the second and subsequent births occur faster (6-8 hours), but the woman still has enough time to get to the maternity hospital. Your relatives should also remember that there is no need to rush, especially if among them there is a driver who has undertaken to deliver the expectant mother to the maternity hospital. You should hurry in cases where the previous birth was fast or rapid, when the waters poured out, especially if the waters are not clear, but have a greenish tint, which indicates that the baby is suffering inside the womb; and, of course, in cases where blood is released from the genital tract, this is possible with placental abruption - a condition that threatens both mother and baby. In other cases, during the first birth, you can go to the maternity hospital when the intervals between contractions average 10 minutes, and during the second and subsequent births - 15 minutes. This statement is true if you can get to the maternity hospital within an hour to an hour and a half.

In many maternity hospitals, women in labor are not allowed to eat or drink during childbirth. . This requirement is justified by the fact that during childbirth there may be a need for general anesthesia, and there is a possibility of regurgitation - the reflux of stomach contents into the mouth, and from there into the lungs, which, in turn, can lead to severe pneumonia (pneumonia). In addition, during contractions, due to the reflex connection that exists between the cervix and the stomach, vomiting sometimes occurs. The more contents are in the stomach, the greater the likelihood of such phenomena.

During contractions, you should not squeeze or strain - on the contrary, you should relax all muscle groups as much as possible. During the first stage of labor, the cervix smoothes out, the uterine os opens, which allows the baby to be born. At the same time, uterine contractions seem to push the fetus out of the uterus. If at the same time you strain the pelvic floor muscles and the muscles of the limbs, then this tension creates an obstacle to the baby’s movement along the birth canal. In addition, tension in the pelvic floor muscles can lead to cervical spasm. A situation may arise in which painful contractions do not lead to the opening of the cervix. Among other things, tension during contractions can cause increased pain. When tension occurs in the body, hormones are released that cause a decrease in the pain threshold. It turns out that the more a woman tenses, afraid of the pain of the upcoming contraction, the stronger the pain becomes. If there is no muscle tension, then all emotional reactions die out, including manifestations of pain. Thus, if during childbirth the body is completely relaxed, then this eliminates the excess tone of the circular fibers of the lower segments of the uterus and cervix, which cause pain during contractions. In a state of complete relaxation (relaxation) and calm, the activity of the uterus during childbirth is perceived simply as muscle contraction.

In order to minimize stress during childbirth, you should use all possible reserves, which lie in inhalation, taking a comfortable position, self-numbing massage and mood.

With the onset of contractions, when the pain is not severe or prolonged, you can breathe deeply and evenly during the contraction (so-called slow breathing). When involuntary contractions of the uterine muscles become more frequent and painful, rapid shallow breathing (similar to dog breathing) can be used.

Certain poses help you relax as much as possible: standing by the bed with support on the headboard, sitting on a large ball, lying on your side.

You can reduce pain and relax by making circular movements with your fists in the lumbar region, stroking under the abdomen on both sides of the pubic symphysis parallel to the inguinal fold. A warm shower can also relax you.

During childbirth, it is important to think about their successful outcome and the upcoming meeting with the baby.

Having relaxed at least once during a contraction, you will understand that it is much easier to endure the unpleasant sensations associated with uterine contractions.

You should not strain during doctor’s examinations (during these examinations the doctor determines the dilation of the cervix, the position of the fetus, the advancement of the head or pelvic end), since tension will also only increase the pain. During the vaginal examination, try to breathe quickly and shallowly, relax all muscle groups, especially the muscles of the perineum.

During childbirth, you should not lie on your back. This restriction is valid not only for the period of childbirth, but also for the second half of pregnancy. Lying on her back, the pregnant uterus compresses large vessels (such as the aorta and inferior vena cava), which leads to a deterioration in blood flow to the heart, brain, other organs, uterus, and fetus. This, in turn, leads to oxygen starvation of the baby and stagnation of venous blood in the internal organs (including the uterus). This is what the so-called inferior vena cava syndrome consists of. Therefore, if for one reason or another you are in bed during contractions, you need to take a semi-sitting position or lying on your left side.

You should not sit during childbirth. This rule should be followed towards the end of the first stage of labor, when contractions have already become quite frequent - after 1-2 minutes - and strong, and even more so when you first have the desire to push. At this time, the baby’s head is already entering the birth canal, and by sitting down on the bed, the expectant mother creates an obstacle to the birth of the head.

You should not scream during contractions. While screaming, you exhale air and lose strength, while air is vital for the baby, who is already experiencing oxygen starvation during contractions. This is due to the fact that at the moment the muscles of the uterus contract, the uterine vessels feeding the placenta are compressed, their lumen becomes narrower, and the fetus receives less oxygen and nutrients. During the scream, the expectant mother also experiences oxygen starvation; as already mentioned, she loses strength, which will be very useful to her during pushing. By the way, screaming during pushing also does not contribute to the successful course of the process of expulsion of the fetus.

It makes no sense to demand a caesarean section during painful contractions. A cesarean section is performed only in accordance with medical indications, since it, like any surgical operation, is associated with certain risks that exceed the risks that arise during childbirth. A caesarean section is performed only in situations where vaginal birth is fraught with serious danger to the life and health of the fetus or the woman herself.

Childbirth cannot end through the natural birth canal in the following cases:

· Premature placental abruption - this situation is accompanied by bleeding, which is dangerous for the life of the mother and fetus.

· Placenta previa (the placenta blocks the exit from the uterus).

· Transverse and oblique position of the fetus in the uterus.

· Severe late toxicosis of pregnancy - convulsions, increased blood pressure, which cannot be treated with medications.

· Discrepancy between the sizes of the mother's pelvis and the fetal head.

· Loss of umbilical cord loops.

· Tumors of the uterus, ovaries, bladder, blocking the birth canal and preventing the birth of a child (for example, uterine fibroids).

Doctors monitoring the course of pregnancy and childbirth, if any of these complications occur, will promptly raise the question of the need for surgery, but in the absence of indications, it is not advisable to require surgery.

It is not advisable to demand pain relief when the doctor says it is too late. The most commonly used medications for pain relief are nitrous oxide, narcotic analgesics, and epidural anesthesia. Nitrous oxide, which is administered through a mask, can be used until the end of contractions because this mixture is eliminated immediately after inhalation - through the upper respiratory tract. Other methods of pain relief - the administration of narcotic analgesics, epidural anesthesia - are used only at a certain point in labor. Thus, narcotic analgesics are usually administered when the opening of the cervix is 5-6 cm; if the analgesic is administered later, then there is little time left until the end of labor (full opening of the cervix is 10 cm, while opening up to 3-4 cm is the longest stage of labor), and the baby who received a certain dose of the drug may be born in narcotic depression , up to depression of the respiratory center. If epidural anesthesia is performed before the end of labor, then at the moment of pushing the woman will not feel the urge to push and will not be able to effectively strain the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall.

You cannot push for the first time without the permission of your doctor or midwife. When, after a period of contractions, you have a desire to push, similar to the urge to defecate (the desire to empty the intestines), you cannot realize this desire immediately. Premature pushing can lead to injury to both mother and baby. The urge to push occurs when the fetal head begins to press on the pelvic floor muscles. It should be borne in mind that the threshold of sensitivity for all women is different, therefore, for some, pushing begins when the head has not yet moved far along the birth canal and is high, and for others, when the head is already located on the pelvic floor and There is only a short section of the road left to cover. If events develop as described in the second case, then you will be allowed to try your hand immediately, but if the head is still high, then you need to make attempts using special breathing techniques. This need is justified by the following: the fetal head must pass through the birth canal gradually, since during this short but difficult path it undergoes a so-called configuration: while passing through the birth canal, the bones of the skull are superimposed on one another like a tiled roof. This occurs due to the fact that between the bones of the skull there are sutures and fontanelles - areas where there is no bone tissue, but for now there is only connective tissue (after the birth of the baby, these areas begin to be covered with bone tissue). If you start pushing when the fetal head is still at the very beginning of the birth canal, the change has not yet occurred, then its passage may be traumatic for the child.

Another circumstance that determines the need for timely pushing is the condition of the cervix. If you start pushing when the cervix has not yet fully opened, then when moving the head forward with the help of contraction of the abdominal muscles (and this is pushing), there is a possibility of injury - rupture of the cervix with the fetal head.

Thus, when you first feel the urge to push, breathe quickly and shallowly (push), and then call one of the medical staff to come to you.

While pushing, you should not push on your face or puff out your cheeks. . Correct attempts are the key to the success of the second stage of labor - the period of expulsion of the fetus, that is, the condition of both the woman herself and her baby depends on the behavior of the mother during this period of labor. In order to push well and correctly, you need to take in a full chest of air; this can be done without difficulty, even if this is your first time trying to master it. Further actions may be incorrect. Thus, some women in labor puff out their cheeks, strain their facial muscles, but the pushing is ineffective, and the fetal head does not move through the birth canal. In addition, after such attempts, small hemorrhages may form on the face and eyes. In order for the birth to end quickly and safely, it is necessary, after you have taken a full chest of air, to swallow it (but not exhale), press your chin to your chest, rest your feet on the devices provided specifically for this on the birthing bed, and use your hands to pull the rails of this bed towards you. It is necessary to strain the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall as much as possible (a person performs similar actions when constipated). You need to push for an average of 20 seconds, after which you need to exhale smoothly, then immediately inhale a full chest of air and repeat all over again. Such actions must be repeated three times in one attempt.

You can’t expect your baby to start smiling at you in the first second and sucking your breast with pleasure. Childbirth is a complex, time-consuming process not only for the mother, but also for the baby. Sometimes the baby needs rest in order to grasp the nipple well with his lips and receive the first drops of colostrum, because in order to eat, the baby needs a lot of strength. And a smile is a conscious manifestation of emotions that appears only when the brain structures reach a certain level of development.

After the birth of your baby, you can’t think that everything is over. After the baby is born, you still have to give birth to the placenta, after which you will have a procedure for examining the birth canal. And all this is the very beginning of your new life as the mother of your wonderful baby.

We hope that following these prohibitions will help you successfully overcome all the difficulties that are possible during childbirth.

Did you like the article? Share it

Print this article