12 misconceptions about childbirth

Birth: stop misconceptions

Losing the waters is a sign that my childbirth is imminent

False : No need to wait until you lose the water to go to the maternity ward. The rupture of the water bag sometimes takes place in full labor, at the time of childbirth, and not before. On the other hand, the loss of amniotic fluid requires going to the maternity ward as soon as possible., whether due to a simple crack in the water bag or to its rupture. Indeed, there is then a risk of infection or complications that should not be taken lightly.

I will hardly have time to get to the hospital

False : Do not worry about the speed of delivery. Most of the time it requires a work of several hours, especially when it is a first birth. So there is very little chance that you will give birth in the car, on your way to the maternity ward.

I won’t be able to recognize early labor contractions

False : The contractions that announce the arrival of the baby are much more intense and painful than other contractions. They occur in bursts of about 5 seconds and occur at regular intervals. It is time to go to the maternity ward when their frequency is accelerating and they have been renewed every XNUMX minutes for an hour.

This is my first childbirth, it will last for hours

True : For the birth of a first child, it takes an average of 8 to 10 hours. But this duration is very variable from one woman to another, and does not mean that you will suffer. If you can move, get yourself into an analgesic position, depending on the people, the pain can be quite manageable. Epidural and painkillers will provide relief if needed. And then it gives you time to get to the maternity ward in peace. Also note that delivery will generally be faster for subsequent children.

I will have to have an episiotomy

False : You can communicate your refusal of the episiotomy to your gynecologist or your midwife during the prenatal consultation, so that it is stipulated in your file. On the big day, the medical team will then decide with you on the need to perform this intervention. Today, episiotomy is in decline, according to a survey by the Inter-associative collective of birth users (): 20% of women on average must undergo an episiotomy *.

Giving birth is very painful

False : Giving birth is painful, but if we can move the pain is not insurmountable. Some women – not many – even say they took great pleasure in it! As with any great effort, the body naturally secretes hormones (natural oxytocin) which make contractions bearable. Certain childbirth preparation sessions, more focused on pain management, will help you at the right time, avoiding any medical intervention.Fortunately, for those who wish, it is still possible to request an epidural. Its implementation does not hurt more than a classic injection and makes it possible to numb the lower part of your body.

You must ask for the epidural before childbirth, otherwise it is too late

False : Mandatory blood tests to check that you tolerate the epidural are systematic in all pregnant women. You can therefore benefit from it during childbirth if you are in too much pain, even without having requested it before. On the other hand, it should not be practiced too late to have time to act (about fifteen minutes). Generally, it is put in place when the dilation of the cervix is ​​between 3 and 8 cm.

The epidural is dangerous for my baby and for me

False : It is a local anesthesia which allows little product to pass through the placenta. It is therefore not risky for the baby. A slightly strong epidural, however, can lead to a drop in the mother’s blood pressure, which can affect the child’s heart rate. In the future mother, there is a risk of temporary incidents, such as dizziness, headaches, back pain …

Under epidural, we benefit less from the arrival of the baby

False : The epidural is a local anesthesia, which makes it possible to remain conscious throughout the delivery. If the dose is well adapted, you will be able to push without problem and thus feel the passage of the baby. It does not prevent you from fully experiencing the arrival of your child, quite the contrary, since thanks to the absence of pain, you enjoy its birth serenely. On the other hand, if the epidural is too dosed, some mothers sometimes admit that they had the impression of witnessing the birth of their baby “as a spectator” and of being a little less active.

The presence of the father at childbirth can disrupt our sexuality

True : The man can indeed feel a decrease in desire after having attended the birth of his child. But libido can also decrease in a father who is not present during childbirth, quite simply because his wife becomes a mother. In doubt, it is better for the dad to sit near you, at the head of the bed, so as not to take risks with your future sexuality.

Cesarean section does not allow you to participate in the birth of your child

False : Cesarean section has changed a lot in recent years. It is not performed under general anesthesia only in case of extreme emergency. It is done most of the time under spinal anesthesia, a local anesthesia that allows you to remain perfectly conscious and removes any painful sensation. You can’t see your tummy, separated by an operating field, but hear everything that is going on, then you can see and hear your baby as soon as it is born.

Feeling like a mother becomes obvious as soon as the baby is born

False : Becoming a mother is a real psychic upheaval. Some will quickly accept their new status and quickly bond with their baby. For others, it will be more difficult. Fear of not being up to the task, baby perceived as a stranger, moods mixed with sadness… Rest assured, the baby blues affects nearly two-thirds of young mothers and generally only lasts ten days. The time needed to get to know her baby and find out how to organize her new life as a mother. If this state lasts, do not hesitate to contact an association such as a psychologist specializing in perinatal care: do not let your morale affect your relationship with your newborn!

* figures cited from the 2016 National Perinatal Survey