Childbirth is beautiful, but not necessarily easy

Bringing a child into the world is one of the most beautiful phenomena and an unforgettable experience. A new life appears, new hopes, new love. However, women, especially primiparous women, have many concerns about having a baby. Let’s try to explain a few problems with this.

Childbirth – no secrets

Nowadays, when we have access to the Internet, there is no taboo. The course of childbirth is also unknown. Anyone can see natural birth – uncensored video is available to everyone. The point is not to satisfy unhealthy curiosity, but to let the expectant mother get used to what awaits them. Childbirth is a physiological activity, a woman’s body is prepared for it, even though it is usually accompanied by pain.

That is why natural childbirth is recommended when the mother and child are healthy. Moreover, it may be a family childbirth, ie in the presence of a loved one (the child’s father, mother of the woman, etc.). Only medical indications are to decide about it. For example, the indication is the gluteal position of the fetus. Gluteal delivery is a threat to the health and life of the child, which is why “cesarean” is used.

Sometimes complications arise in labor, e.g. the mother cannot push, the baby does not move through the birth canal, but the head is close to the opening. It is too late for a caesarean section, so there is a forceps delivery, i.e. the baby is pulled out with forceps. Currently, this procedure is not dangerous for the child, but it is rarely used.

Lotus birth – what is it?

It is a natural childbirth, but it differs from the classic one in that the umbilical cord is not cut off. After birth, the baby remains attached to the placenta until the umbilical cord falls off spontaneously. Some believe that this way of bringing a child into the world is more beneficial for him. Others believe that the placenta outside the mother’s body can be a source of infection in the newborn. In Poland, this method is not used in hospitals.

Water birth

Water childbirth is a method that is practiced in our country, mainly in private hospitals. In the first stage of labor, the mother stays in the bathtub. Staying in warm water reduces pain sensations and the muscles relax. When the baby is at the end of the birth canal, the woman comes out of the tub, so the newborn appears on the birthing bed.

Gluteal delivery

A gluteal delivery is one in which the child is placed in the pelvic position, i.e. his legs and buttocks point towards the birth canal. Gluteal delivery makes it much more difficult to bring a child into the world in a natural way and, unfortunately, it carries a certain risk for the child. A Caesarean section is often recommended in these cases, as the buttocks may not fully open the birth canal and a wider head will have great difficulty passing through it. It is a consolation that gluteal delivery is relatively rare, it affects approximately 3% of children.

There are some signs that your baby may be in a pelvic position before birth. The baby kicks the woman in the lower abdomen and on the sides instead of the ribs. In addition, the heartbeat is heard above the belly button of the pregnant woman.

What could be the possible causes (factors) of the gluteal positioning of the baby?

1. multiple pregnancy,
2. leading bearing,
3. the presence of uterine fibroids,
4. women who have had many births,
5. defective structure of the uterus,
6. a large amount of amniotic fluid that promotes the child’s mobility,
7. small child’s size.

Natural childbirth after cesarean – is it possible?

If the first (or subsequent) pregnancy ended with a cesarean section, it does not mean that the next childbirth will also be performed using this method. If the pregnancy is not threatened, the mother is healthy and the baby is properly positioned, then natural delivery can be made. However, there is a risk of uterine rupture, so childbirth must take place in the presence of a doctor.

Forceps delivery

Forceps delivery in many women evokes the worst associations. During such childbirth, special medical tools (forceps and pro-eyelines) are used to save, in exceptional cases, the life of the mother and the child. This type of delivery is quite rare, so not many women know about it yet.

When is it necessary to perform a forceps delivery?

– the heartbeat is abnormal;

– the umbilical cord has fallen out;

– childbirth takes a long time, which makes it a threat to the mother’s life (she is exhausted and has no strength to push any further);

– health of a woman: women with neurological diseases, hypertension, spinal cord injuries and problems with eyes and heart are at risk of forceps delivery;

– the child’s life is at risk – there is a risk of fetal hypoxia and asphyxia.

The forceps used during forceps delivery resemble two spoons connected with a hinge. The procedure involves placing spoons in the birth canal, which are clamped after the baby’s head is peeled. During the next contraction, the doctor uses the forceps to move the baby towards the birth canal. The baby is born after about 2-3 contractions. The vacuum tube is made of a pump that generates a vacuum and a support pad connected to it (a rubber tip in the shape of a flat cup applied to the child’s head). As a result of the generated negative pressure, the rubber tip is sucked to the baby’s head and at the time of contraction, the baby is pulled out of the birth canal by the doctor.

A child after forceps delivery may have bruises, abrasions to the epidermis and deformations on the head. However, don’t panic as these changes heal in a few days. Bleeding and intracranial hematomas are rare. After forceps delivery, the woman is very weakened, also the perineum due to the larger incision, heals much longer than normal. This may cause some discomfort.

Premature delivery

Preterm labor is a birth during which pregnancy ends between 23 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. In recent years, the number of premature births has increased, which, according to specialists, is associated with increasingly late motherhood. Diseases arise with age that can cause problems in pregnancy and lead to premature birth.

The risk factors for premature birth include:

1. hypertension,
2. diabetes
3. fibroids on uterus,
4. previous premature births,
5. defective structure of the uterus,
6. placental defects (e.g. leading bearing),
7. cervical failure,
8. sexually transmitted diseases,
9. urogenital infections,
10. interval between subsequent pregnancies less than 6 months,
11. premature rupture of the fetal bladder.

Preterm labor is also influenced by the lifestyle of the pregnant woman. We are talking about drinking alcohol or smoking during pregnancy. The lifestyle and chronic stress are also important.

Childbirth after the term

Pregnant women are afraid of “going through” pregnancy, ie giving birth after the due date. However, the due date set by the obstetrician at the beginning of pregnancy is only an approximation. Natural childbirth passes between 38 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. The body itself gives signals (uterine contractions, dilation of the cervix, overflow of amniotic fluid) when the baby is ready to leave the mother’s womb. This moment should not be rushed. However, there are times when the 42nd week of pregnancy is over and nothing is happening, or studies show that your pregnancy is at risk. The doctor then decides to induce labor.

How to induce childbirth?

A doctor induces labor by injecting prostaglandin gel into the vagina or cervix. It softens and shortens the cervix. Then, oxytocin is given by drip, which causes the contractions. Sometimes it is enough to pierce the fetal bladder.

How to speed up labor?

Many women, wanting to speed up labor, use the following methods:

– sexual intercourse: sex at the end of pregnancy is considered a safe method of speeding up labor, provided, of course, that the pregnancy is not in danger. During sex, semen enters a woman’s vagina, which contains prostaglandins, which are hormones that prepare the cervix for childbirth. These hormones can increase the dilation of the cervix, which is the first phase of labor. During sex, oxytocin is also secreted in a woman’s body, especially during stimulation of the woman’s nipples. Oxytocin causes uterine contractions. It is worth mentioning that it is oxytocin that is given by drip to women in the hospital;

– physical activity: a natural way to speed up labor can also be walks in the air. While walking, the pelvis moves, which allows the baby to position itself properly before birth. A baby that decreases in the womb puts pressure on the cervix, thus preparing it for birth ‘

— acupuncture and acupressure: They are also natural methods of speeding up labor, although there is no scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness. It is known, however, that these methods are not dangerous for the mother and child, as long as they are performed by an experienced and qualified therapist;

– drinking raspberry tea – according to some reports, drinking raspberry tea causes contractions during childbirth to be more intense, which makes childbirth run more smoothly. However, there is no evidence that raspberry tea speeds up labor itself.

What does childbirth look like?

Natural child delivery consists of several stages. Each of the different stages of labor has different characteristics. A pregnant woman waits nine months for the time of delivery to finally see her baby. However, at the same time, he feels anxiety and fear that everything will go according to plan.

1. The first phase of labor, that is, opening the cervix. The woman has the first uterine contractions which are rare and painless at first. Some women may not feel them at all, especially if they appear while sleeping at night. Over time, uterine contractions begin to get stronger and become more frequent and intense. At the end, they appear approximately every two minutes and last for approximately 60 seconds. The contraction of the uterus usually begins at the top of the uterus and widens downwards, resulting in a dilation. Then, the membranes are ruptured and the amniotic fluid flows out.

How long do uterine contractions take?

They usually last until the cervix is ​​fully dilated, 10 cm (for 5 fingers). This is the moment when the child is getting ready to go out into the world.

The first stage of labor is the longest. It can last from 6 to even 20 hours. It is a very individual matter, depending on the number of deliveries and the predisposition of the pregnant woman. How to survive this time? One way is to keep the pregnant woman moving for as long as possible, as long as she is able to walk. By movement we mean stretching exercises on a medicine ball, walking or breathing exercises. The first phase of labor is also characterized by a woman’s changing moods – from excitement to fear and fear of the unknown.

2. The second phase of labor – pushing. This is the moment when the cervix is ​​fully dilated and the water has broken. This stage in women giving birth for the first time usually lasts about two hours. On the other hand, in women who have already given birth, this time may be shortened even to 30 minutes. At this stage, the baby passes through the birth canal thanks to the contractions of the uterus and the strong pushing movements of the diaphragm, i.e. pushing. The pressure is greater when the woman makes a slight forward bend and tightens the abdominal muscles (it is worth asking your partner or someone close to you for help). It is very important not to forget about proper breathing when pushing the baby through the birth canal. It is very important for the proper oxygenation of the child and the breaking of blood vessels on the face or in the eyeballs.

Some women require an episiotomy. The second phase of labor ends with the baby being born.

3. The third phase of labor, the so-called bearing. After the baby is born, the woman must then give birth to the placenta and membranes, which will be felt as a need for a little pressure. The placenta is painless, and careful removal is essential, so it is always checked that it is complete and complete. If the placenta is not completely expelled, curettage of the uterine cavity is necessary.

4. The fourth phase of labor. It is the care of the mother and the child in the hospital ward. A newborn baby is subjected to a detailed assessment – weighed and measured and assessed on the APGAR scale. A child with no abnormalities is given 8-10 points in the APGAR scale. The baby is then handed over to the mother and can be fed for the first time.

How long does it take to give birth to a baby?

The duration of childbirth is an individual matter. It lasts from a few to several hours, starting with the first contractions and ending with the expulsion of the placenta. Usually, the second and subsequent births are shorter.

What to take to the hospital for childbirth?

The hospital bag should be ready 3-4 weeks before the planned delivery date, because you never know when it might come in handy. Apart from the necessary documents (ID card, pregnancy record, test results), the hospital bag should also contain clothes for the baby. It is recommended to take mainly a bodysuit (closed with an envelope), rompers and rompers. It’s best to take the amount of clothes you need for about 3 days. Nappies, a wet wipe, a blanket or a cone, and necessarily tetro diapers will also be useful. Cosmetics should be kept to a minimum. The hospital bag should definitely contain pajamas and a bathrobe for the future mother. It is also worth investing in disposable postpartum panties and postpartum pads. Women who wish to breastfeed should bring a soft nursing bra and nursing pads to the hospital. Paper or a paper towel and bath towels (one bigger, the other smaller) will also be useful. Of course, it is also worth taking water with you (preferably with a spout). You can also take some snacks, e.g. rusks, with you to the hospital. If the hospital does not have cutlery – take yours.

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.