Correct behavior during childbirth. How to behave during childbirth: practical advice What to do during childbirth

Poses for relief

Let's go to the maternity hospital

Difference from pushing

Childbirth is waiting for a long nine months. All this time, a woman mentally imagines how this will happen, and even if she has already given birth before and has experience, all the same, thoughts about the upcoming process cause excitement.

It is clear that it is impossible to be calm and calm when going to the hospital, and no matter how psychologists call for calmness, in practice this is not feasible. But certain rules of conduct still need to be observed. This will help to give birth easier and faster, without injuries and complications and not cause disappointment with inadequate behavior from medical staff or a partner if the birth is planned jointly.

We will talk about the rules of behavior in childbirth in the framework of this article.

"Looks like it's started!"

After watching how the heroines of films with such an exclamation clutch their stomachs and begin to scream and moan heart-rendingly, a woman may think that this is how contractions begin, and that screaming from the very beginning is quite natural. This is an erroneous opinion. It all starts quite smoothly and gradually, and there is absolutely no need to scream at the same time., because you are not in the cinema and do not aim to dramatize the situation.

Feeling the rhythmic repetitive contractions of the uterus (tension and relaxation at certain intervals), calmly arm yourself with a watch or a smartphone with a contraction counter program. Determine two important points: how long the contractions repeat and how long the uterus remains tense from the moment the contraction begins to its end.

You need to go to the hospital when the contractions are repeated every 10 minutes. But at first, they usually repeat every 30-40 minutes, and this is completely normal. Follow the frequency and calmly wait for the desired intensity.

If the birth did not begin with contractions, but with the fact that the water broke, without panic, dial the number "03" and tell the dispatcher the gestational age, home address, the color of the departed waters, wait, lying on your side, for the ambulance brigade and go to the maternity hospital.

The first contractions are usually not as painful as many people think. A woman may well take a shower with them, check whether she has collected everything for the hospital, call her husband, mother, girlfriend, drink tea with a small piece of chocolate (to gain strength). There is no hurry - this period is the longest, it can last several hours.

At this stage, it is very important not to strain and not be nervous.. Stress, fear give rise to the production of shock doses of the hormones adrenaline and cortisone, the muscles tense because of them, the opening of the cervix becomes difficult, which increases pain and increases the risk of complications in childbirth.

What should not be allowed in the behavior at this stage?

Fuss, panic, tantrums and throwing- tune in to the good, remember the methods of relaxation, meditation, you can go to sleep to stock up on strength. We take a memo with a list of things, calmly check the presence of everything in our bag. If something is missing, you should not frantically rush about in search - then the relatives will bring everything. If the contractions did not start at home, you should not rush home for a bag - everything you need, including a shirt and a bathrobe, will be given out at the maternity hospital, and then you can ask relatives or friends to bring your things.
Haste- the period of contractions is quite long, and a few hours is quite enough to wash, and get dressed, and calmly come to the hospital. Rushing to take a shower can lead to falls, injury, placental abruption, broken arms and legs, and this is now completely untimely.
Lack of documents- if you can forget things, then the policy, exchange card and passport should be with you from the very beginning of the 3rd trimester, especially if you leave home for a long time. Without these documents in the maternity hospital, you will be assigned to the observation department, where patients with infectious diseases and unexamined women give birth, because the doctor will not have evidence that you have been examined.
mindless heroism- Attempts to get to the hospital with contractions or broken waters while driving your own car can lead to sad consequences. Contractions can become more intense at the moment of making a maneuver on the road, you can provoke an accident, harm yourself and others. It is better to go to give birth on the ambulance. This is a special transport equipped with everything necessary in case of unforeseen situations, and the team knows what to do if the birth suddenly becomes rapid and the child is asked to go out right in the resuscitation vehicle.

It is also necessary to behave correctly in the emergency department of the maternity hospital. Do not try to hide anything from the doctor - neither the number of abortions, nor the diseases of your childhood. Everything matters.

Contraction period

This period is the most difficult, and it is during the fights that women often demonstrate the most disgusting behavior - they scream, cry, scold the staff and the entire male race. If you want to give birth faster, you definitely shouldn't behave like this during labor.. As already mentioned, muscle clamps give rise to weakness of the generic forces, the cervix opens slowly and painfully.

The task of the woman in labor at this stage is to relax as much as possible muscularly and psychologically after each contraction, to catch every minute to rest. Proper breathing will help.

Deep breaths and a slow exhalation between contractions and a series of short breaths at the peak of the contraction - this is what will help the cervix to open more efficiently, and give the baby the amount of oxygen he needs now.

While the contractions are not too strong and frequent, you can lie on your side, stand, including on all fours, relying on a chair, table, window sill, partner, use free behavior - move, walk. This contributes to faster opening. Treat it like a job - there is a task to survive the next fight in order to help yourself and the baby, and no one but you can cope with it.

The rules of the maternity hospital usually prohibit eating and drinking during contractions. This is a reasonable prohibition, because a woman may need anesthesia, anesthesia, a full stomach for which is a contraindication. And therefore do not demand food and drink, complain about the refusal and threaten with complaints to the Ministry of Health.

What not to do at this stage of childbirth.

Scream- when you cry, the air quickly leaves the lungs in a continuous stream, and the breaths are superficial, shortened. This leads to fetal hypoxia, and also takes away the strength of the woman in labor. If there is a need to make sounds, it is better to replace the cry with a groan on exhalation, but the exhalation should still be done for a long time and smoothly.
drink water- it is only permissible to rinse your mouth with water and spit it out if there is a feeling of dryness.
Retain urination- go for a small need as much as you want. The bladder should be empty, this will speed up the process of contractions and reduce the pressure of the bladder on the uterus.
To categorically refuse anesthesia or other measures of obstetric care. Even if you are an ardent supporter of natural childbirth without anesthesia and other assistance, listen carefully to the information that the medical staff conveys to you. There are procedures and manipulations in which the need arises suddenly, and your persistent refusal can cause the death or disability of the fetus.

Separately, I want to talk about pain. Demanding to anesthetize you immediately and now is not worth it. Opening the neck in contractions is a natural, painful, necessary process.

But, by law, any woman can ask for certain measures of pain relief if the pain becomes unbearable. They cannot refuse her.

Such measures include epidural anesthesia, intravenous administration of analgesics and antispasmodics, sedatives.

The period of attempts

Attempts begin with the full disclosure of the cervix and, unlike contractions, a woman can control them, or rather, regulate their strength at the command of an obstetrician. The main thing at this stage is to trust the staff as much as possible. Doctors during this period are constantly with the woman in labor, they do not go anywhere.

It must be remembered that you can push only after the obstetrician gives the appropriate command.

The sensations of the fetus when passing through the narrow birth canal are also not the most pleasant, and you should not complicate them with unauthorized actions that can cripple the child.

The instruction is very simple: focus on the obstetrician or doctor who is next to you. As soon as the command “push” is given, you need to draw air into the chest and hold your breath while trying, “squeezing” the child out. Correctly behave during attempts - this means not trying to sit down, not trying to pinch or bring your hips together.

At this stage, you cannot:

push "in the head"- when trying, direct the force down, not up, otherwise it can lead to hemorrhages in the face, eyes, and the effectiveness of the attempt will be almost zero - the child will not move through the birth canal.
Scream- as in the period of contractions, crying at this stage of labor takes away the strength of the woman in labor and deprives the baby of adequate oxygen supply. The baby goes through the birth canal, but it is still connected to you by the umbilical cord, through which it continues to receive oxygen from the blood.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the obstetrician during attempts is fraught with ruptures of the perineum, birth injuries in the baby.

succession period

The biggest mistake of a woman in labor in the final stage of childbirth is early relaxation. After the baby was born, you should not relax ahead of time, because the placenta will also have to be born. And this period is very important. The duration of the afterbirth period can be short - from 10 minutes, or long - up to an hour. In any case, having rejoiced at the birth of a baby, it is important to continue to listen to the doctor's requirements.

How to behave during childbirth

In the first stage of labor, during each contraction, the supply of blood to the fetus worsens. Your feelings at the same time are such that you involuntarily want to breathe deeper. You also have an increased heart rate. Thanks to these1 reflex reactions to contraction, the child receives more oxygen. If you breathe calmly, evenly and deeply during a fight, you are helping your baby cope with temporary hypoxia.

True, deep breathing during childbirth is a relative concept. Due to the high standing of the diaphragm, a woman in childbirth can only breathe through the upper sections of the lungs. But with each breath, the air should flow into the lungs, freely filling the upper part of the chest. And just as easy to breathe out. You can not draw in the air convulsively, with effort, and exhale - in shocks.

The position of the woman in labor during labor may be different. Some women prefer to stand, others to walk. And this is quite acceptable if there are no contraindications due to polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancy, high blood pressure, etc. But it is best to lie on your side, slightly bending your knees, and gently stroke, barely touching, the lower half of the abdomen in the rhythm of inhalation and exhalation . Stroking is done with the fingertips of both hands in the direction from the midline of the abdomen to the sides. While stroking, you can repeat the formula that you used during auto-training: “I am calm. I control myself. My breathing is even, deep…”

To anesthetize childbirth, you can also use acupressure self-massage. From the front, they press on the points at the anterior superior edge of the ilium; behind - on points at the outer corners of the lumbar rhombus. When you press the palm points, they are located along the hips, while the massaging itself is done with the ends of the set aside, slightly vibrating thumbs. The points at the outer corners of the lumbar rhombus are pressed, placing either brushes clenched into fists or a roller under the lower back. All steps are performed accurately.

Reflex zones during contractions:

1 - pressure, 2 - stroking

In addition, you need to keep track of the start and end times of contractions. Remind yourself with the advent of each of them that the cervix has opened a little more, you have become a little closer to the end of childbirth, that you need to breathe evenly and calmly to help your baby.

If you are in a lot of pain, tell your doctor. And he, depending on the situation, will find a way to help you.

In the first stage of labor, many women experience vomiting. If at the same time there are no other pathological symptoms - for example, pain in the stomach, headache, "flies" before the eyes - this is not scary and is usually associated with a change in the tone of the autonomic nervous system during childbirth, as well as with the opening of the cervix. Such vomiting usually does not last long and does not require special intervention. After stopping the urge to vomit, you need to rinse your mouth with water and take 1-2 sips, but no more, so as not to provoke a new attack of nausea.

In the second stage of labor, you will be transferred to the delivery room. You can control pushing. The effectiveness of attempts is controlled by a doctor and a midwife. During this period, the woman in labor experiences a somewhat unpleasant feeling of fullness. It must be said that the soreness of attempts largely depends on whether you are pushing correctly and whether your posture is correct.

You lie on the birthing table with your shoulders slightly raised. Rest your feet on the table, grab the handrails of the delivery table with your hands and, taking a deep breath, hold your breath, close your mouth tightly, strain. So you increase the attempts. Then relax and breathe deeply, calmly without holding your breath. Attempts become most powerful when the head passes through the pelvis. As soon as it emerges from the external genitalia, the midwife provides a benefit that protects the muscles of the perineum from rupture. At this time, it is necessary to follow all the instructions of the midwife very accurately. Remember that the fetal head is removed from the genital tract without an attempt. To do this, despite the emerging reflex of an attempt, you need to restrain it - relax and breathe through your mouth without the slightest delay in inhaling.

Relaxation (relaxation) during childbirth

Mastering the relaxation (relaxation) of individual muscles and the whole body is the basis of a comfortable state during childbirth. Learn to relax properly, perform certain exercises and you will be able to consciously control the relaxation of your muscles.

Relaxation of the muscles of the body leads to a decrease in the activity of the nervous system and the removal of tension. It is known that negative emotions during childbirth, such as anxiety, anger, fear or pain, cause an increase in the amount of catecholamines (stress hormones) - adrenaline and norepinephrine. High levels of catecholamines in the blood affect the duration of labor by reducing the effectiveness of uterine contractions, and can adversely affect the fetus by reducing blood supply to the uterus and placenta.

Relaxation relieves fatigue and muscle tension and thereby reduces pain during childbirth. In this case, the uterus receives the maximum amount of oxygen required, which, in turn, also reduces the sensation of pain, since working muscles (such as the uterus) with insufficient oxygen supply themselves are painfully tense. In addition, consciously focusing on relaxing muscles will help you take your mind off the pain and tighten them up during a contraction.

First, you should learn to be aware of mental and bodily sensations during rest or sleep. Since the psyche and body mutually influence each other, when mastering relaxation exercises, you will be able to notice how mental tension decreases simultaneously with the release of muscles. Your breathing becomes slow and even, with small pauses between inhalation and exhalation. This type of breathing will help you with the development of relaxation exercises and during childbirth.

When you start exercising, lie on your side among the pillows or sit in a comfortable chair with armrests and head support, create maximum comfort for yourself. Once you've mastered the relaxation exercises in a certain position, try relaxing while sitting, standing, or walking, as you need to be able to relax in any position to prepare for childbirth. After class, stretch lazily and stand up slowly to avoid dizziness.

Begin to master the relaxation technique in a quiet and calm atmosphere, gradually moving to classes in a noisier room. Remember that there are many people in the hospital, and you need to be able to relax in these conditions.

The methods described below will allow you to identify and relieve excessive muscle tension.

Muscle tension and relaxation

Initial position. Sitting in a chair or on the floor, try to relax all the muscles that are not currently involved in maintaining the posture.

The exercise. Clench your right hand tightly into a fist. Pay attention to the sensations in the muscles of the forearm. Tense muscles become tight and hard.

Touch these muscles with the fingers of your left hand. Then relax the muscles and feel their softness.

Now lift your shoulders up. Analyze how you feel when your shoulders are tense. Relax and drop your shoulders. Now you are more relaxed. This is real relaxation. Did you notice the difference? If you learn to be aware of exactly which muscles you have tense, you can always release residual tension and completely relax.

Tension and relaxation of the whole body

Initial position. You should lie down in a position that is comfortable for you.

The exercise. Tension of the muscles of the whole body. Tighten the muscles of the abdomen, thighs, legs, then the crotch, neck and arms. Maintain this tension for 5 seconds. Pay attention to the sensation - effort, tension, spasm or discomfort.

Then relax your whole body. You can start relaxing with the abdominal muscles, and then relax the muscles of the arms, legs and head. Think about the tension passing. Breathe slowly. Breathe in, relaxing even more. Feel how relaxed you are.

Awareness of the influence of the psyche on bodily sensations

The mental state of a person has a great influence on the tension and relaxation of the muscles of the body, if you experience anxiety or anger, your body reacts to it with tension. In a calm state, the body remains relaxed. Therefore, when in pain, try to induce a positive emotional state in yourself, this will help relieve muscle tension. Otherwise, the tension will increase and increase the pain.

Test. The images below will help you imagine opposite reactions to labor pains. Pay attention to how these images affect muscle relaxation. Some can cause tension and fear, while others can help you relax.

1. When the contraction starts, you feel a pulling pain first in the lower back ... “Oh-oh! Here she is". The pain grows and an iron hand covers the stomach ... "Oh, no!". The pain gets stronger and stronger. Unbearable! I want to scream: “Enough, I can’t take it anymore! I can not!". You clench your fists. The back muscles tense up. You grind your teeth, close your eyes, resisting the pain. "Please stop this!" The contraction is compressed on the stomach. You have weakened. Help someone. You hold your breath. Will it ever end? The fight is gradually weakening. It has passed, but you are afraid that it will start again. All over again? "Oh-oh-oh!"

How did you feel while reading all this? Stressed, upset? Now, for comparison, read the following description.

2. The fight begins like a wave, barely perceptible, somewhere in the distance, like a slight smell. Unclear at the beginning, the wave grows, becomes higher and stronger. You think: “What should I do?”. The contraction of the uterus reaches the pinnacle of tension, strength and pain. Your strength, your tension and your pain. You can ride this wave and ride it forward. Its power will be yours, the cervix will open and the baby will begin to come out of it. You are not fighting the wave, you are too weak for that, yet you feel satisfied, supported and strong. Your face remains calm, legs and arms are sluggish and relaxed.

You are not afraid. You open yourself to that power. And now the wave subsides and goes deep into your body. You are resting.

How do you feel when you imagine contractions in this way. Do you find this image less menacing? Does it help you tune in to positive emotions better than the first description? If so, then you can use it in preparation for childbirth.

As you understand, your idea of pain during contractions affects your physical condition. If you imagine pain as a necessary and normal condition for childbirth, you will more easily endure it. Knowledge and training will help you treat pain in this way, and this will make childbirth much easier for you.

Passive relaxation

By focusing on sensations in different parts of your body and gradually releasing tension, you can achieve a state of deep physical and mental relaxation.

You can also ask someone close to you to read the text of the exercises below in a quiet and calm voice. Reading should be leisurely, as you need time to concentrate and relieve tension in every muscle in your body.

Pleasant, relaxing music will not hurt either. Once you've chosen the right music, listen to it every class to create that familiar, soothing atmosphere during labor.

Passive relaxation exercises

Sit comfortably, lying on your side or half-sitting, surrounded by pillows, or in a chair with armrests Take the time and position yourself so that you do not waste muscle effort maintaining the posture. Place pillows under your head, under your knees. In a word, create yourself comfortable conditions for relaxation.

Take a deep breath or yawn.

Now focus on your toes and feet. Feel how warm and soft they are.

Focus on your ankles. They are weak and lethargic. Your ankles are relaxed.

Now focus on the calves. Feel how they become soft. Okay.

Think knees. They lie quietly on the pillow and are relaxed - they do not need to support the body. They are very comfortable.

Think about your hips. Large and strong thigh muscles allow you to walk. Now they are soft and heavy. Okay.

Now focus on the muscles of the buttocks and perineum. Especially important is the ability to relax these muscles during childbirth and delivery. Now they are soft and pliable. When the time comes and your baby begins to move through the birth canal, the muscles of the perineum should not interfere with his exit. That is why it is so important to learn how to master them.

Next - the muscles of the lower back. Imagine that someone is gently stroking her with strong and warm hands. You are very pleased. Your muscles relax from the imaginary touch. Feel the warmth. Feel the tension release you.

Now think about the stomach. Relax him. Let it puff up, as if inhaling, then release it, as if exhaling. Belly is free. Focus on the movements of your abdomen as you inhale and exhale. Okay. Think about a child. Your baby is moving and fidgeting and is warm, cozy and safe inside his belly.

Now - the chest muscles. You breathe freely. When inhaling, the chest rises slightly, and the air passes into the lungs. When exhaling, the chest collapses and the air comes out. Breathe slowly and easily, as in a dream. The air is inhaled and exhaled calmly and without any effort. This breathing will help you relax even more. And relaxation, in turn, will contribute to calm and “easy breathing. Okay.

Now try to inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth - slowly and effortlessly. On inspiration, you can noticeably slight tension in the pectoral muscles, which disappears on exhalation. Listen to your breath. It is barely audible, as if you are sleeping. With each exhalation, you relax. Feel your tension go away with each exhalation. This is how you should learn to breathe in preparation for childbirth. Okay.

Now, the shoulders. Imagine someone gently massaging your shoulders. Relax. Feel the warmth. Tension leaves you.

Focus your attention on your hands. With each exhalation, your arms relax more and more - along the entire length, from the shoulder to the wrist, hands, fingers. Hands are heavy, warm and relaxed.

Focus on the neck muscles. All neck muscles are soft, relaxed, they do not need to hold their head. Your head is on the pillow, your neck can relax. Okay.

Now - the mouth and lips. The muscles of the mouth are relaxed. You don't have to specifically keep your mouth open or closed.

Relaxed muscles themselves will take a comfortable position. No tension.

And now - the eyes and eyelids. The muscles of the eyes are sluggish and relaxed. Don't try to keep your eyes open or closed. It will happen by itself. The eyelids are slightly closed, and the gaze is not focused on anything. Eyelids heavy, relaxed.

Focus on the muscles of the forehead and eyebrows. Relax those muscles. Feel the warmth. A calm facial expression corresponds to your inner state.

Enjoy this state of calm and well-being. You can relax in this way at every opportunity - before bed, after dinner, during a work break. This state must also be achieved during childbirth. While giving birth, you will not lie down all the time. You will walk, sit down, take a shower, but during contractions you will be able to relax all the muscles that are not involved in maintaining the posture. This will relieve unnecessary nervous tension, give you a sense of calm and self-confidence and help you behave correctly during childbirth.

And now it's time to finish our exercises. No rush. Slowly open your eyes, stretch, look around the room, and slowly stand up.

Active relaxation

If you have learned to relax in any position and in any activity, then you are already well prepared for childbirth and this skill will be very useful to you in the hospital. The goal of your classes is to learn to induce in yourself a state of the same complete physical and mental relaxation in any conditions, as in classes at home, when you lie down, and your body is supported by pillows or a comfortable couch.

Active relaxation exercises

Try to relax your muscles while in various positions - standing (upright or leaning against a wall or on your partner's shoulder), sitting, half-sitting, standing on all fours, kneeling and resting your head and shoulders on a chair, squatting, lying on your side.

In each of these positions, certain muscle groups are worked while others remain relaxed. Only by learning how to relax in various positions will you be able to effectively relax during childbirth. In a state of deep relaxation, when you have established proper breathing, try to imagine the beginning of contractions, causing in yourself vivid visual images of the intended sensations. With the help of such exercises, you make each of your practice sessions a rehearsal of childbirth.

Random voltage test

Sometimes it seems to you that your body is completely relaxed, but when you focus on certain parts of the body (arms, legs, stomach), you feel that some muscles are still tense.

The exercises listed below will help you completely relax your entire body, gradually moving from one part of it to another. The relaxing effect of these exercises is based both on the natural decrease in muscle tension during exhalation, and on the ability you have acquired to consciously release tension.

Stress Relief Exercises

Take a position that is comfortable for you. Breathe slowly and easily, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Focus your attention on your right leg. As you inhale, try to determine if there is tension in the muscles of the right leg. As you exhale, relax all the muscles in your leg. Repeat if necessary. Then, during the next breath, focus on the muscles of the left leg. Identify tense muscles and relax them as you exhale. Repeat these exercises, mentally dividing your body into the following eight parts:

right leg;

left leg;

buttocks and perineum;

chest and abdomen;

right hand;
left hand;
head, face and neck.

Consistently releasing the tension of the muscles of different parts of the body with each exhalation, you will feel that you are completely relaxed at the end of the session.

This method will come in handy during childbirth. Your partner can help you by telling you which muscles to relax, or by touching and stroking those muscles with each exhalation.

Countdown relaxation

If you have learned to be aware of muscle tension and to release it properly, you can learn other methods of quick relaxation. These skills will be especially useful to you during childbirth. With each contraction, your "organized" breathing will serve as a signal to relax.

Exercises

Start exercising while sitting in a comfortable chair. You can continue the complex in any position that the time of childbirth requires from you - standing, on all fours or kneeling, as well as lying down (for more details, see the position during childbirth).

Breathe in through your nose. As you exhale through your mouth, relax the muscles of your entire body, from head to toe. Count backwards from five to one until you are completely relaxed. At first, you should learn to relax for five breathing cycles. Once you have mastered this exercise, you will be able to relax during one slow exhalation. Imagine that while counting, a wave of relaxation passes through your body, covering all its parts:

head, neck and shoulders;

arms, hands and fingers; »chest and abdomen;

back, buttocks and perineum;

legs, feet and toes.

SPECIAL BREATHING TECHNIQUES
Along with relaxation and other methods that alleviate the condition of the woman in labor, properly organized breathing during childbirth reduces pain. Properly organized breathing is breathing with a certain frequency and depth.
You will select the specific values \u200b\u200bof the frequency and depth of your breathing, depending on the course of the future birth, your preferences and the need for oxygen. Having previously mastered the proposed exercises and adapted to them, you can calm down and relax with their help during childbirth.
There are three main types of controlled breathing during childbirth: slow, light (accelerated) and variable (transitional). You can use all three breathing methods if they help you relax and get enough oxygen, as well as to behave correctly during intense contractions.
It is best to breathe slowly in the early phase of labor and continue to do so for as long as it helps. You can then switch to light or variable breathing, whichever suits you best. The third type of breathing is recommended in the later phase of labor. For some women, breathing slowly throughout labor is fine. Others use two types of breathing: slow and light or slow and variable, and some use all three types. What exactly you choose will depend on your reactions and the intensity of the contractions.
Slow breathing should be used during intense contractions when you can no longer walk or talk. You can breathe slowly with your stomach or chest; it is important that breathing helps you relax.
Application of the slow breathing method:
Repeat the above exercises until you feel completely confident that you can completely relax with slow breathing. During childbirth, you should breathe like this for 60-90 seconds at a time. Practice breathing correctly in various positions - sitting, lying down, standing, on all fours and even in a car. With each exhalation, focus on relaxing different parts of the body - this way you will relax all the muscles that are not involved in maintaining the posture.
Use light (rapid) breathing if you feel that slow breathing does not bring relief.
To master easy breathing, inhale and exhale through your mouth at a rate of approximately one per second. Breathing should be shallow and light, quiet inhalation and noisy exhalation.
Application of easy breathing:
This type of breathing is not as easy to master as slow breathing. Be persistent and take your time, gradually you will get used to this exercise. Practice breathing at a rate of one per second at first, but changes in breathing rate are possible - from two times per second to once every 2 seconds. Then try to breathe at different frequencies, but that one! with for your convenience. The best way to count the respiratory rate is to count the respiratory cycles (inhale-exhale) in 10 seconds. If you have counted from 5 to 20 cycles, you are breathing correctly. If within 1-2 minutes you can freely and effortlessly establish the correct rhythm of light breathing, then you are ready to combine it with slow breathing.
Variable (transitional) breathing is a variant of easy breathing and combines light shallow breathing and periodic noisy exhalations. Intermittent breathing begins with rapid breathing followed by light rapid breathing at a rate of 2 times per second to 1 time every 2 seconds. After every 2-5 cycles, exhale slowly, deeply and without tension, this exhalation will help you establish the rhythm of breathing.
Application of alternating breathing:
Add these exercises to your classes. Contractions can last for two minutes and be like doubles, so learn to "organize" breathing for at least 3 minutes in a row. In this case, it is necessary to change the position of the body.
When choosing the exercises that you will use during childbirth, two conditions should be distinguished: the first period, when the cervix opens, and the second, when the fetus is expelled from the uterus; in these states, two moments are taken into account: contractions and attempts.
Auto-training classes are best done in special groups under the supervision of obstetrician-gynecologists. Practice shows that women easily learn the recommended techniques and that the acquired skills allow them to reduce pain during childbirth.

Useful restrictions.

Or what not to do during childbirth

Now they talk a lot 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 time of the birth of the baby, his mother can behave as she pleases. In order for the birth of the crumbs to end safely, a woman needs to learn some restrictions that must be observed during childbirth.

Don't Forget Your Exchange Card . When going to a maternity hospital, you must definitely put this important document in your bag, because in its absence, doctors can get information about your pregnancy only from your lips, but even if you are a doctor and all the information provided turns out to be reliable, then official confirmation that you have passed all inspections and have made analyses, no. And this circumstance allows us to think that 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 department. 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 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 dressing gown and a nightgown are overwhelmingly most medical institutions are issued to a woman in labor on a mandatory basis.

You can not rush, fuss. With the onset of labor, with the first contraction, you do not 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 in the lower back - at first may be irregular, appear at large time intervals (30 minutes or more). Such contractions in no way lead to a quick opening of the cervix, they allow you to slowly, having thought through everything, pack up and get to the hospital. So, the duration of the first birth, as a rule, is 10-12 hours, the second and subsequent births occur faster (6-8 hours), but still the woman has enough time to get to the hospital. Your relatives should also remember that there is no need to rush, especially if there is a driver among them who undertook to deliver the expectant mother to the maternity hospital. You should hurry in cases where previous births were fast or rapid, when waters poured out, especially if the waters are not transparent, 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 hospital, when the intervals between contractions will be on average 10 minutes, with the second and subsequent births - 15 minutes. This statement is true if you can get to the hospital within an hour - one 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, while there is a possibility of regurgitation - throwing the contents of the stomach 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 can not pinch, strain - on the contrary, you should relax all muscle groups as much as possible. During the first stage of labor, the cervix smooths 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 muscles of the pelvic floor, the muscles of the limbs, then this tension creates an obstacle for the baby to move along the birth canal. In addition, tension in the pelvic floor muscles can lead to spasm of the cervix. A situation may be created in which painful contractions will not lead to the opening of the cervix. Among other things, tension during contractions can provoke an increase in their soreness. When stressed, the body releases hormones that lower the pain threshold. It turns out that the more a woman tenses up, afraid of the pain of the upcoming fight, the stronger the pain becomes. If there is no muscle tension, then all emotional reactions fade, including the manifestations of pain. Thus, if during childbirth the body is completely relaxed, then this eliminates the excessive tone of the circular fibers of the lower segments of the uterus, the cervix, which cause pain during contractions. In a state of complete relaxation (relaxation) and calmness, the activity of the uterus during childbirth is perceived simply as a contraction of the muscles.

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

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

Certain postures help to 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 joint parallel to the inguinal fold. A warm shower is also relaxing.

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

Relaxing at least once during a contraction, you will understand that it is much easier to endure the discomfort associated with uterine contractions.

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

During childbirth, you can not lie on your back. This restriction is true not only for the period of childbirth, but also for the second half of pregnancy. In the supine position, 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 the so-called inferior vena cava syndrome. Therefore, if for one reason or another you are in bed during contractions, you must take a half-sitting position or lying on your left side.

During childbirth, you can not sit. 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 had a desire to push. At this time, the baby's head is already entering the birth canal, and, sitting down on the bed, the expectant mother creates an obstacle for the birth of the head.

You can't scream during fights. During a cry, you exhale air, lose strength, while air is vital for a baby who, during contractions, already experiences oxygen starvation. This is due to the fact that at the moment of contraction of the muscles of the uterus, the uterine vessels that feed the placenta are compressed, their lumen becomes narrower, the fetus receives less oxygen and nutrients. The expectant mother during the cry also experiences oxygen starvation, as already mentioned, she loses strength, which will still be very useful to her during attempts. By the way, crying during attempts also does not contribute to the successful course of the process of fetal expulsion.

It makes no sense to demand that you have a caesarean section during painful contractions. A caesarean section is performed only for medical reasons, as it, like any surgical operation, is associated with certain risks that exceed the risks arising during childbirth. A caesarean section is performed only in situations where vaginal delivery is fraught with a 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 location of the fetus in the uterus.

· Severe course of late toxicosis of pregnancy - convulsions, increased blood pressure, not amenable to drug treatment.

· Mismatch between the size of the pelvis of the mother and the head of the fetus.

· Prolapse of the umbilical cord.

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

Doctors who monitor 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 inappropriate to demand pain relief when the doctor says it's too late. Of the medical methods of anesthesia, nitrous oxide, narcotic analgesics and epidural anesthesia are most often used. Nitrous oxide, which is supplied through a mask, can be used until the end of the period of contractions, because this mixture is excreted immediately after inhalation - through the upper respiratory tract. Other methods of anesthesia - the introduction of narcotic analgesics, epidural anesthesia - are used only at a certain point in childbirth. So, 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 a baby who has received a certain dose of the drug may be born in drug depression up to depression of the respiratory center. If, however, epidural anesthesia is performed before the end of childbirth, then at the time of attempts, the woman will not feel the urge to push, she will not be able to effectively strain the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall.

You can not push for the first time without the permission of a 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 attempts can lead to injury to both the mother and the baby. The desire to push occurs when the fetal head begins to put pressure on the muscles of the pelvic floor. It should be borne in mind that the threshold of sensitivity for all women is different, therefore, attempts for someone begin when the head has not yet moved far along the birth canal and is high, and for someone - when the head is already located on the pelvic floor and it only a small section of the road remained to be overcome. 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 skip attempts using special breathing techniques. Such a need is justified by the following: the fetal head must pass through the birth canal gradually, since during overcoming this short but difficult path it undergoes a so-called configuration: while passing through the birth canal, the bones of the skull overlap one another like a tiled roof. This is due to the fact that between the bones of the skull there are seams and fontanelles - areas where there is no bone tissue, but so far there is only connective tissue (after the birth of a 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 configuration has not yet occurred, then passing it can be traumatic for the child.

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

Thus, when you first have the urge to push, breathe quickly and shallowly (push), and then call someone from the medical staff to your place.

During attempts, you can not push in the face, puff out your cheeks . Correct attempts are the key to the success of the second stage of childbirth - 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 childbirth. In order to push well and correctly, you need to take a full chest of air; it can be done without difficulty, even if you are trying to master it for the first time. The next steps may be wrong. So, some women in labor puff out their cheeks, strain the muscles of the face, while the attempt turns out to be ineffective, the fetal head does not move along 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 delivery bed, and with your hands pull the rails of this bed. It is necessary to strain the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall as much as possible (a person performs similar actions with constipation). You need to push for an average of 20 seconds, after that 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 not expect that the baby in the first second will start smiling at you 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 to grab the nipple well with sponges and get 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, which appears only when the brain structures reach a certain level of development.

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

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

The birth of a child is a great happiness for the whole family, but the birth itself is a serious test for both the body and the psyche of the expectant mother. Feeling the first contractions, most women panic and are lost in front of the inevitable unknown. In this article, we will look at the norms of behavior in the delivery room, as well as each of the stages of the birth process. Coping with your emotions is much easier if you have basic theoretical knowledge.

How to behave in the delivery room?

The first contractions, an ambulance, a maternity hospital, doctors: everything happens so quickly that most women in labor simply panic from the surrounding fuss. To make labor activity as comfortable and easy as possible, adhere to the following recommendations:

Gather all the necessary things in advance: change of clothes for yourself and the baby, products, personal hygiene products.
Listen to the medical staff: try not to interrupt or shout, no matter how hard and scary it is for you. The main task of a doctor is to help you. Also, don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have.
Breathe right- it is necessary to master the breathing technique in advance, by the end of the third trimester, bringing the acquired skills to automatism. This will help you calm down, relieve pain, and relieve pain from contractions.
Take a comfortable posture- consult with your doctor, and take the most comfortable position to relieve pain during contractions.
Try not to scream- this is very exhausting and takes away the strength that you will need during attempts.
Don't be alone. If all the medical staff left the office, and you feel unwell, do not hesitate to press the button and call a doctor to you. Childbirth is the case when it is better to play it safe.
Do self-massage and massage- this will help relieve pain and reduce stress levels. If the birth is partner, the massage should be done by the spouse.
Push only on doctor's orders- no matter how strong the desire, amateur performance is unacceptable, as it can harm the baby.

Stages of the birth process:

- stage one: preparation

According to women who have gone through childbirth, contractions cannot be confused with something else. Spasmodic pain in the lower abdomen occurs at regular intervals. Then, these segments are reduced, and the pain becomes stronger. The first stage is a long and very painful preparation of the body for childbirth. In turn, it is divided into 3 phases:

Latent- dilatation of the cervix up to 4 cm.
Active- opening up to 8 cm.
Transient- full disclosure up to 10 cm.

Important! Do not try to rush the natural process of childbearing. This can be fraught with tissue ruptures of the birth canal.

- stage two: attempts and childbirth

You are faced with an important and responsible task - to help the baby be born. Concentrate all your attention on following the commands of the doctors. Push and breathe as instructed by the medical staff. The baby's head will gradually approach the exit and may hide in the birth canal several times - this is absolutely normal, so you should not be scared. After the head comes out to a suitable level, the doctor will help the baby to free himself.

Reference! At the time of the birth of a child, a woman experiences a state of euphoria. It is caused by a powerful release of the hormone oxytocin into the blood.

- stage three: the exit of the placenta

This stage begins with rather weak and few contractions. As a rule, after 1-2 attempts, the placenta comes out of the uterus. It is very important that the uterus is completely cleansed - otherwise, doctors resort to surgery. At the end of the third stage, the mother is briefly left with the baby under observation, and then sent to the ward.

Proper behavior during contractions:

Contractions are a very painful process. It is only natural that you will want to curl up in a ball to wait it out. Of course, this is wrong. But what to do to ease the agony before the long-awaited meeting with the baby?

- keep calm

Obvious advice, which is very difficult to follow in the realities of life. The following tips will help you get in the right mood:

Be savvy in the matter. Nowadays, it is not so difficult to find quality literature on childbirth and motherhood. Knowing what awaits you ahead, you will not panic in the face of the unknown and will be able to more clearly coordinate your actions in the maternity ward.
Go to the hospital with someone who can support and comfort you. It can be a spouse or any other family member. The main thing is that you feel that you can rely on him.
Learn to breathe properly. Breathe differently during and between contractions. It relieves pain, eases labor and calms the nerves. Ask your doctor to teach you the basics of proper breathing and hone this skill at home in preparation for childbirth.

- take a comfortable posture

The following positions will help you get through the contractions phase:

Standing firm. You can stand with your back against a wall, a headboard, a chair, or your partner's shoulders.
sitting. Sitting on a chair during contractions is not the best solution. The child is gradually moving along the birth canal, and this position can slow down his movement. As an alternative to a chair, you can use a fitball or a toilet bowl.
On knees. Stand up, focusing on your elbows and knees, relax all the muscles.
Lying on your side. The desire to lie down due to pain and malaise is quite natural. It is easier to transfer contractions in a pose on your side, putting a pillow under your head and hips. You can use a special U-shaped pillow for pregnant women.

- is it possible to walk?

Walking and standing during contractions is possible and, moreover, even useful. The fact is that in an upright position, the child moves faster through the birth canal.

Important! In the absence of contraindications, try to take one of the vertical postures.

When a woman in labor lies on her back, a large belly with all its weight presses on large blood vessels. This often leads to increased pain, feelings of nausea and weakness.

- give a relaxing massage

Massage pleasantly relaxes the muscles, relieves painful spasms and calms the nerves. Here are the basic rules for massage during contractions:

Hands must be warm since the feeling of cold can provoke a reflex muscle spasm.
Creams and gels make it easier to slip and relieve pain. If necessary, you can use special painkillers: gels, ointments, oils. If you forgot the massage oil at home, but do not want to do the “dry” procedure, ask the nurse for some vaseline.

- do special breathing exercises

Much has been said about the importance of breathing. And indeed - each period of the birth process requires compliance with a certain breathing technique.

For example, at the stage of intense contractions, superficial “dog-like” breathing helps a lot: short breaths and exhalations through the nose and mouth.

When attempts come, it is very important to listen to the doctor's recommendations and push only on his command. The “candle blowing” technique will help here: inhale deeply through your nose, and exhale through your mouth, stretching your lips into a tube. With all the volume of air taken in, you must push the child to the exit.

- stay optimistic

A positive attitude is perhaps the most important thing during childbirth. Bright thoughts about the first meeting with a baby can overshadow any pain and gloomy thoughts. Set yourself up for the fact that this is one of the happiest days of your life and act!

Proper behavior while pushing

Attempts are the final jerk before you see your little miracle. Get together and concentrate all your attention on the doctor's commands: he sees the position of the child in the birth canal and, based on this, gives you commands to push. To do this correctly, follow a few conditions:

When the push started and the doctor gave the command, draw the maximum volume of air, and looking at the stomach, direct it towards the baby to help him meet you sooner. For one fight you need to push three times.

Important! Make sure that the tension does not fall on the head. This can be fraught with rupture of the eye capillaries and nosebleeds.

Get up and look at your own belly- so you reduce the load on the ligaments and muscles.
Rest between contractions- this is important in order to save strength and restore breathing.
Try not to scream. With a cry, you lose strength and exhale the oxygen necessary for straining activities.
Do not push when the head and shoulders appear. The obstetrician will ask you to switch to shallow "dog-like" breathing in order to pull the baby out without tears and damage to the soft tissues.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that childbirth is a completely natural process, you should not rely only on nature and intuition. Not only your well-being, but also the health of the baby will depend on your behavior in the delivery room.

Especially for- Elena Kichak

So, you understand that you have started giving birth. What actions fall under the ban during childbirth?

∗ With the onset of childbirth, one should not panic, randomly rush around the apartment, rush. It is very important to maintain self-control and tune in the right way. It is good if all things are collected in advance, because running around the apartment in search of what is necessary in childbirth is not a pleasant pleasure, especially since at the end of pregnancy the sense of balance is disturbed, weakness and dizziness may occur. Inaccurate movements, especially when taking a shower, are fraught with a fall, as a result of which placental abruption may occur. And this is already an extremely dangerous situation, which can lead to significant blood loss in the expectant mother and threaten the life of the baby.

∗ If you forget any of your personal items at home, don't worry, because in all maternity hospitals, if necessary, you will be given hospital slippers, a gown, a towel, and a nightgown. And everything else will be brought to you while you are in labor. But the documents must not be forgotten. Before leaving home, check the availability of a passport, exchange card, insurance policy, contract for the management of childbirth, if it has been concluded. So, in the absence of an exchange card, doctors will not have confirmation of the necessary examination, which may serve as a reason for determining you to a special observational department or for transfer to a special maternity hospital, where unexamined patients, infected and women with suspected infectious disease give birth. Considering that childbirth often begins suddenly, it is better to carry medical documents with you at all times.

∗ In no case can you get to the maternity hospital by driving a car yourself. And although the first contractions are not painful, it will be difficult to predict their intensity after even a short period of time. And with strong pain, getting safely to the hospital will be problematic. So if none of your relatives or friends can take you, then it's better to call the ambulance service.

∗ Immediately after arrival at the maternity hospital, filling out medical documents that will be used by doctors during childbirth begins. Part of the data will be taken from the exchange card, part will be entered from your words. It is important to accurately answer all questions, in no case should you hide anything, even if it seems to you that this is not related to ongoing events. So, vacuum aspiration transferred 10 years ago can provoke bleeding during childbirth, and blood transfused in early childhood can cause hemolytic disease in a child. Of course, the doctor should be warned about such risks in advance.

The first stage of childbirth: you can not be afraid, scream and strain your muscles

∗ This period is the most painful and longest in time, and its duration, the well-being of the woman in labor, and the condition of the fetus depend on the correct behavior. The main thing: you can not be afraid of childbirth and labor pain! The strength of the pain sensation depends on the individual characteristics, pain sensitivity, emotional state of the woman and her attitude to the birth of the child. Nature has provided a woman with the painkillers she needs for childbirth - her body during labor releases hormones of joy and pleasure - endorphins. They help the expectant mother to relax, relieve pain and give a feeling of emotional uplift. However, the mechanism of their production is fragile. If a woman is afraid, then a reflex suppression of the secretion of endorphins and the release of a significant amount of adrenaline (stress hormone) into the blood, which causes convulsive muscle tension, including the muscles of the uterus, which increases pain.

∗ In addition, during childbirth, one should not contract and strain the muscles. With tension, the pain threshold decreases, blood supply is disturbed, which increases pain. There is a vicious circle: tension - pain - slowing down labor. If, during childbirth, the muscles are relaxed, then the pain is less, the cervix opens faster, and the child does not experience significant difficulties in moving through the birth canal.

∗ During contractions, you can choose a comfortable body position for you: it is allowed to lie on your side, walk, stand on all fours or kneel. But there are two provisions that are prohibited during childbirth: you can not lie on your back and sit. In the supine position, a heavy pregnant uterus compresses the large vessels that pass behind it, disrupting blood flow to the heart. In response to this, arterial pressure drops sharply reflexively, causing fainting and impaired blood supply to the placenta and fetus. If for some reason you have to lie down during childbirth, it is better to choose the position on your side.

At the beginning of the first period, the sitting position will do no harm. However, by the end of it, the baby's head has already entered the birth canal, and, sitting down on a hard surface (chair, bed), the expectant mother creates additional pressure on her. But you can sit on a fitball or a toilet - in these cases, such pressure is excluded.

∗ Almost all maternity hospitals have a ban on food and drink during childbirth. This requirement is justified by the fact that in the process of labor activity there may be a need for general anesthesia, during which there is a risk of throwing the contents of the stomach into the mouth, and from there into the lungs. This can lead to the development of severe 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 this unpleasant phenomenon.

∗ Do not shout during contractions. When you scream, you continuously exhale air, and the breaths are shallow and short. It is known that for the maximum enrichment of blood with oxygen, which is necessary for both the mother during the period of difficult labor and the baby, so that he does not experience oxygen starvation, a deep breath is needed. Therefore, instead of screaming at a height, slowly, deeply and rhythmically inhale air through your nose and exhale it through your mouth. If the contractions become very strong, frequent shallow breathing, in which the inhalation is also made through the nose, and the exhalation through the mouth, will help. But it is impossible to inhale deeply through the mouth in contractions, this will lead to a rapid drying of the oral mucosa, which is rather painfully tolerated with the current ban on drinking. If the mucosa is still dry, you can rinse your mouth with water without swallowing it.

∗ Do not delay urination during contractions. Go to the toilet often - at the first urge. Firstly, frequent urination stimulates contractions, and secondly, a full bladder hinders the progress of the fetus through the birth canal.

Second stage of labor: you can not sit down and push "in the face"

In this period, a woman can more control the process of childbirth than in the first. Although attempts and occur involuntarily, a woman can control them to a certain extent, strengthening or restraining if necessary. However, unauthorized actions can harm both mother and child. That is why during this period it is necessary to get together and clearly follow all the instructions of the doctor and midwife.

∗ When there is very little left before the birth of the child, you will be taken to the delivery room. When moving to the birth bed, you can’t sit down - in fact, it means to sit on your child’s head. While on the birthing bed, in no case should you compress your hips. All of these actions can lead to serious injury to the newborn.

∗ If the “good” for the attempt is received, spare no effort. But it is not only the applied force that matters, but also where it is directed. It is important to do it correctly, you can not push "in the face." At the same time, the woman in labor strongly strains her face, puffs out her cheeks, small hemorrhages can even form in the eyes and face, but the attempt is ineffective, the fetal head does not move along the birth canal. The attempt should be directed downwards, to empty the body (like the intestines with a stool). In this case, you need to strain the abdominal muscles as much as possible.

∗ If you don't feel any pushing or pushing is too weak, you will be guided by a doctor and a midwife. It is very important to follow all their instructions exactly. During the birth of the fetus, there are times when it is necessary to reduce the strength of the attempts. Sometimes, in order to better advance the child, the doctor may prohibit pushing during one or more contractions. You will not be able to stop the attempt, but it is in your power to significantly weaken it. It is necessary to relax and breathe very often and superficially, slightly opening your mouth - “like a dog”, or like “inflating a balloon” (up, in the face, stretching your lips with a tube). Just as in the first stage of childbirth, you can not scream, because the cry occurs on the exhale, and during the attempt it is necessary to hold your breath. In addition, when screaming, muscles contract, including the pelvic floor and perineum, which increases the risk of ruptures. In addition, the cry prevents the full-fledged interaction of the woman in labor with the medical staff, which is the key to the normal course of the second stage of labor and helps to avoid breaks.

Third stage of labor: you can not completely relax

After the baby is born, you can’t completely relax, believing that your work has been completed. After all, you still have to give birth to the placenta, after which the procedure for examining the birth canal follows. The placenta, or afterbirth, includes the placenta and fetal membranes. The period of its separation can last from 5 minutes to half an hour or a little longer. After some time, you may feel lasting no more than a minute. This is one of the signs of separation of the placenta from the walls of the uterus, after which the woman is asked to push. But it is worth noting that usually the placenta is born without any difficulties.

Important!

During all childbirth, it is impossible to refuse the necessary medical manipulations. For example, in the first stage of labor, vaginal examinations and recording of the fetal heartbeat are necessary, which are often uncomfortable for the woman in labor. But these actions help the doctor determine how the birth is progressing, assess the condition of the child, and, if necessary, prescribe some drugs. Do not strain during the doctor's examinations, as tension will only increase the discomfort.

At the time of the vaginal examination, try to relax, breathe quickly and shallowly, do not strain the muscles of the perineum.

Many women are afraid of prescribing drug stimulation during childbirth. You have the right to express your attitude to this procedure and the wish not to use it if possible, but remember that sometimes only with the help of medications you can end the birth with minimal risk to the baby.

If any actions of the staff cause you doubts - ask to explain to you the need for certain manipulations.