Preparing for childbirth: video doctor’s advice

Medical technologies have advanced quite far, and the clinic will do everything they can for the woman in labor: all kinds of equipment, qualified obstetricians and other specialists will come to the rescue. Nevertheless, no one can give birth for a woman, she must do it herself. To make everything go as easy as possible, preparation for childbirth is organized in antenatal clinics, which includes three main aspects:

• medical
• psychological
• physical

The training program consists of theoretical lectures and various exercises. All this will bring you into the desired physical shape and in the future will allow you to avoid complications such as prolapse of the uterus and ruptures, including in the postpartum period.

In the past, women prepared by doing special exercises at home, reading literature, or listening to more experienced female friends. Today you can sign up for courses where competent specialists will tell you everything about what awaits you when your baby appears. There is even an online training, this option is suitable for those women who, for some reason, cannot visit medical centers, for example, those who live far from the places where good courses are held.

It is best to start preparatory exercises as early as possible, because childbirth is a very important event. The sooner you cope with the worries and start preparing, the better the birth itself will go. But it’s never too late to start, even if you are in your last month of pregnancy.

Many psychological problems are solved at this stage. When a woman knows exactly what awaits her, then the fears pass, calmness and tranquility come. The theoretical part of the preparation includes:

• information about the anatomy of the woman
• list of exercises to prepare the uterus and perineum for childbirth
• all about fetal development
• viewing training videos and diagrams

Often, preparatory classes are also included in theoretical training, when women train to dress, swaddle and bathe dolls that imitate babies.

Special exercises will strengthen and stretch the muscles you want to work with, making labor easier. Also, this part of the preparation before childbirth includes a massage of the perineum.

Exercise is best done under the supervision of an experienced professional, as everything is very individual here. Various factors should be considered:

• age
• previous pregnancies
• fitness level
• existing diseases or pathologies

Based on this information, the specialist draws up an individual training regimen. Overfatigue should be avoided, and if you feel discomfort or pain in the abdomen, trouble breathing, or violent movement of the baby, you should stop doing the exercise. You can not engage in a period of toxicosis, with exacerbations of chronic diseases or colds.

Also, the training includes the development of special breathing skills, the correct application of which will allow you to relax at the right time and even reduce pain.

Physical exercise necessarily includes the preparation of the pelvic floor muscles, this is a system of exercises to relax and tighten the muscles of the vagina. This will help avoid tears and recover quickly from childbirth. Stretching is also very helpful, as it just makes you feel much more comfortable in certain positions.

Try to walk more in nature, better outside the city. But don’t overdo it

As a rule, healthy women do not require additional preparation of the cervix. But if there are hormonal disorders, then medication may be required.

If you are already in the hospital and the fetus is ready to leave, but the cervix is ​​not, then prostaglandins are prescribed – hormones that contribute to the contraction of the cervix. An alternative way of preparation is to have sex without a condom, starting from the 36th week of pregnancy, since the semen also contains prostaglandins.

Also, a special diet is prescribed, which includes fatty fish, flaxseed oil, black currants, which contribute to the production of the necessary hormone in the body. In addition, vitamin E is sometimes prescribed, which increases the elasticity of the uterus. Infusion of raspberries can help to stimulate contractions of the uterus. It is possible to regulate your condition with the help of the listed means only if a doctor has recommended it to you.

In the process of psychological preparation for childbirth, the most important thing is to develop the right attitude. Fears and worries are inevitable, and no matter how much you train on a dummy, with a real baby everything will be completely different: both more difficult and easier at the same time. Psychologists recommend forming positive pictures in the head using visualization techniques. Positive affirmations are a popular remedy – statements that you are ready for childbirth and will be excellent at handling the situation.

Psychological training is often carried out for future fathers, because they worry no less.

It is best to choose a maternity hospital in advance. Meet doctors and obstetricians, learn all about the conditions in which childbirth takes place. If you want to give birth in the presence of your husband, find out if this is allowed in the chosen place.

Prepare all the necessary documents and things in advance:

• passport
• insurance policy (if necessary)
• medical record from the antenatal clinic and test results
• referral to the hospital (or contract)

If you are going to give birth with your husband or another person, then he must have with him:

• passport
• results of analyzes and fluorography

Everything else depends on the conditions in the hospital. Among other things, do not forget things without which you will feel uncomfortable, for example, personal care products, laptop, tablet or player, hairdryer, and so on.

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