What happens during childbirth in the body. Facts about childbirth that expectant mothers need to know

1. Childbirth is a rather bloody process: during contractions, attempts and expulsion of the fetus, a woman can lose up to 500 ml of blood. The average blood loss is 250 ml.

2. In fact, the onset of labor is not like what they show us in the movies. Childbirth does not start abruptly and does not always begin with the discharge of water. In reality, one birth out of ten begins with a rupture of the amniotic sac. In most cases, the water leaves just before the very attempts.

3. Most women defecate during childbirth without even noticing it. This happens when a woman in labor pushes with all her might, pushing the baby's head out. At the same time, midwives maintain an absolutely impenetrable appearance, such is their job. During childbirth, other waste products, such as urine or vomit, may be excreted.

4. The average weight of the placenta for a period of 36 to 40 weeks of pregnancy is 519 grams. The weight of this organ depends on the weight of the fetus: the larger the child, the larger the placenta. The birth of the placenta is a separate stage of childbirth. As a rule, this phase does not take much time and practically does not cause discomfort to the woman.

5. Surveys show that positive memories of childbirth are not affected by the ease of the process, not by its speed, and not by the use of epidural anesthesia. Pleasant impressions on women are made by a calm atmosphere in the delivery room, adequate assistance from the medical staff and a polite attitude.

6. The most painful part of childbirth is contractions in the active phase when the cervix is dilated from six centimeters. On the Internet you can find many tablets comparing labor pain with other pain sensations. According to some claims, labor pain is equivalent to breaking 20 bones at the same time or amputating a finger without anesthesia.

In fact, labor pain is subjective, and every woman experiences it in her own way. According to opinion polls, only 25 percent of primiparous women describe pain as terrible and excruciating (while only 9 percent of them believe that they have a low pain threshold).

7. The percentage of births during which a woman undergoes an episiotomy is gradually decreasing in the world, however, in some countries, the procedure of incision of the perineum to facilitate childbirth is still quite common. In the United States, episiotomy is used in 30-35% of births (in the 1980s, perineal incision was done in 60% of cases of natural births), in Denmark only 10 percent, but in Portugal the procedure is performed in 80 percent of cases.

In Russia, they are also trying to resort less to episiotomy, although until recently the dissection of the perineum was performed in 90% of cases.

8. Scientists compare the stress on the female body during childbirth with the stress experienced by a runner overcoming a marathon distance. At the same time, as researchers from the University of Michigan note, unlike athletes, women often cannot fully recover from injuries sustained during childbirth.

Experts from Poland also tend to believe that marathon runners and women in childbirth are somewhat similar: both of them feel severe pain on the way to their goal, and at the finish line they experience an emotional upsurge and a surge of positive emotions. In addition, runners and women in labor also agree on the emotional assessment of their experience: they remember the moment of relief when everything was over, and over time they forget about the pain and say that it was not at all as terrible as it seemed to them in the process.

9. Only five percent of babies are born on their due date. Most often, children are born a week before the expected date of birth. Doctors believe that this is better than childbirth after 41 weeks of pregnancy.

10. Newborns have 300 bones, some of which will grow together by the time they grow up. A person enters adulthood with only 206 bones in his body.

11. Female babies are born with one to two million follicles in their ovaries. By the time a girl has her first period, there are only about 400,000 follicles left. The rest die in a process called atresia.

Any woman, especially giving birth for the first time, waits with fear and excitement for the moment of the birth of her baby. You can often hear the opinion that childbirth without pain is a myth, and all women in labor experience unbearable suffering. Fortunately, this is not so, because pain is caused by contractions - uterine contractions. Women are only interested in one question - is it painful to give birth for the first time and what to do to alleviate suffering? To do this, you just need to master a few simple exercises and rules, consult with an experienced specialist, understand why there is pain during childbirth and what to do about it.

Feelings of a woman during childbirth

Childbirth is the natural end of pregnancy and the birth of a long-awaited baby. Pain accompanies this process for several reasons. Firstly, the fear itself during childbirth psychologically sets the woman up to the fact that it is painful and unbearable. Secondly, insufficient prenatal preparation and incorrect behavior during birth.

In order for the process to be painless, a woman in labor should not only engage in psychological training, but also perform special physical exercises. They will strengthen the muscular frame of the uterus, allow you to stretch the cervix as much as possible and speed up the process. The main pain during childbirth is caused by contractions, that is, uterine contractions that contribute to the "squeezing" of the fetus outward. Such contractions last from several minutes to many hours, provoking severe pain.

Why can there be pain during childbirth?

In general, everything is individual and depends not only on previous training, but also on the level of pain threshold. Why is it painful to give birth for the first time, and subsequent births are calmer? Some women give birth quickly and without complications, while others may need a caesarean section or the use of pain medication. In the second or third birth, the woman in labor already knows what to prepare for in order to minimize the risks, she has experience, although she knows that giving birth is quite painful.

If necessary (if the birth is too long), the doctor uses special drugs to artificially stimulate the process. There are no special secrets of safe childbirth. The strength and intensity of pain depend on the preparedness of the woman in labor, proper breathing and psychological attitude.

Another surge of discomfort is observed immediately when the fetus leaves the vagina. Often this is accompanied by deep tears, requiring subsequent suturing. The intensity of attacks is measured by individual susceptibility. How much pain each woman experiences depends on her level of preparation and the characteristics of the body.

What kind of pain does a woman experience during childbirth (more in the article: what pain does a woman experience during childbirth?)? Scientific studies have proven that during independent childbirth, a woman experiences sensations that are equal in strength to breaking 20 bones at the same time. Although everything is not so simple here, because the unit of measurement of pain depends on the totality of many factors.

The main condition for easy and quick childbirth is competent preparation and correct behavior, psychological support.

Types of breaks

Vaginal ruptures are observed in women giving birth for the first time after 35 years. This is due to a decrease in tissue elasticity. This is facilitated by breech presentation, the large weight of the fetus, the use of auxiliary tools and drug stimulation of labor. Such tears heal after childbirth very badly and for a long time, so obstetricians prefer to make an artificial incision with a scalpel in advance. In this case, the healing of the sutures is accelerated, without causing strong discomfort.

There are three levels of breaks:

1 degree, in which only the walls of the vagina are torn;
2 degree, which is characterized by damage to the skin of the perineum, walls and muscles of the vagina to the anus;
Grade 3 is placed when the anus and rectal muscles are torn.

According to some women in labor, only the subsequent stitching of the gaps hurts, which is often done without anesthesia. In addition, pain causes pressure on the nerve fibers of the coccyx and vaginal muscles, and after the placenta has passed, the discomfort subsides.

Preparing for an easy birth

All women (especially those giving birth for the first time) are very afraid of the birth process itself. Many consider easy childbirth a myth that has nothing to do with reality. Fortunately, this is a false statement, and such a birth is a completely achievable state, but requires serious preparation.

In the first pregnancy, a woman must master the theoretical material, study the relevant literature. You should not delve into reading specific scientific and medical literature that describes possible complications and pathologies. This will not only not get rid of far-fetched fears, but will also add even more cause for concern.

Psychological preparation

The right attitude, the absence of fears and panic before the process of having a baby is very important. You can avoid trouble by enrolling in psychological training courses. The preliminary choice of the maternity hospital and an experienced specialist is also important. Good support is provided by relatives and friends of the expectant mother, who are able to explain, reassure and set in a positive way. That is why more and more couples choose partner childbirth, when the husband is present in the delivery room and helps the woman morally.

Physical training

It is important to understand that preparation for childbirth must begin long before conception. This means that both parents should give up bad habits, do moderate exercise, eat right. From the first day of pregnancy, a woman should eat a varied and balanced diet, and in the last trimester, flour products, pastries and sweets should be excluded from the diet. In addition, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the attending physician, take the drugs and vitamins prescribed by him.

Proper breathing

Another important factor that greatly facilitates labor activity is proper breathing (more details in the article: proper breathing during labor: how to facilitate the process of childbirth?). Pregnant women go through this training in advance, but when the contractions begin, they often panic, forgetting everything they have learned. Therefore, in the process of childbirth, one must carefully listen to the recommendations of the doctor and strictly follow them. In this case, the birth of a child will be as painless and quick as possible.

How to reduce the risk of breaks?

To reduce the risk of ruptures, it is necessary to perform a special set of exercises to strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the uterus and vagina. In winter, the expectant mother should walk up to 1.5 hours daily, and in summer - at least 3 hours a day. Stretching exercises, perineal massage will also be useful, but only on the advice of a specialist.

The last procedure performed by a woman on her own, starting from the 30th week of pregnancy, will be especially effective. The procedure is carried out daily, for at least 10 minutes, for which you will need sterile natural oil and surgical gloves. Massage is carried out both on the external genitalia and inside the vagina, pressing on its inner surface. If the doctor sees that ruptures cannot be avoided, he makes a special incision in the vagina, which minimizes the risk of infection and complications.

Is it possible to give birth painlessly?

There are several modern techniques that allow a woman to relax and give birth without pain. It is important to understand that screaming will not bring the desired relief, because at this moment the breath is lost, aggravating the already unbearable pain. It is necessary to listen and follow the recommendations of the obstetrician, try to breathe correctly and push in time (for more details, see the article: easy childbirth: how to breathe and push correctly?). Pain causes spasms of muscles and blood vessels with strong fear and panic anxiety of the woman in labor. It is a positive attitude that is considered the key to successful and quick childbirth.

Many specialists practice relaxing massage of the lumbosacral region at the time of contractions. Some obstetricians at the very first contractions recommend taking a warm bath, but only if the water has not broken. An epidural may be used for caesarean section, and sometimes for vaginal delivery (see also: What is an epidural and why is it used in childbirth?). This is the name of an injection in the spine, which anesthetizes the lower part of the body. Unfortunately, this method has many contraindications and side effects. It is extremely rare (in the most severe cases) that the doctor uses general anesthesia, but such anesthesia causes serious consequences not only for the mother, but also for the child.

The main condition for easy childbirth is the right psychological attitude, competent physical preparation, proper nutrition and regular exercise. The more confident and calmer a pregnant woman feels, the more chances she has to give birth on her own and painlessly. No less important is the support of close and dear people who will help you easily survive such a long-awaited and exciting moment.

So the pregnancy has come to an end, and childbirth, no matter how future mothers want it, is inevitable. But what scares women the most in the birth process? Of course, contractions during childbirth. Fears are aggravated by all kinds of stories of girlfriends, mothers, grandmothers and others, how hard it was for them during the period of contractions.

In this case, we can offer only one thing: do not listen to anyone, each person has an organism in its own way, which means that everything happens differently. Someone easily endures pain, and someone becomes ill from a prick of a rose thorn. Knowledge of the birth process, how to reduce pain during labor and how to breathe correctly at this time will help get rid of fears of impending pain in childbirth.

Childbirth and their periods

Childbirth is a complex physiological process that ends a pregnancy. Depending on the gestational age, childbirth is divided into premature (up to 36 weeks), urgent, that is, at the time of 38-41 weeks and late, which occur at the 42nd week. The birth process itself is divided into 3 periods:

1 period is called the period of disclosure of the uterine pharynx or the period of contractions;
Period 2 is the period of exile (that is, birth) of the fetus;
3rd period - afterbirth (in this phase the afterbirth is born).

The longest period of childbirth is. It is characterized by contractions and the pain that accompanies them. The period of exile is mistakenly considered by many women to be childbirth. Although it lasts normally 5-10 minutes and is accompanied by attempts that occur against the background of contractions and push the fetus out of the uterus. The third period is the expulsion (birth) of the placenta, which is also normally short and lasts 5-15, maximum 30 minutes. It becomes clear that childbirth is not only the process of giving birth to a baby, but also contractions, at the end of which amniotic fluid leaves and the birth of an afterbirth (“baby place” or placenta).

Contractions: what is it and what is it for

Contractions are called involuntary uterine contractions (carried out by the muscle layer), which occur regularly and are necessary to expel the fetus from the uterus. Contractions are classified into false and true.

The expectant mother begins to feel contractions before childbirth or false ones a few weeks before the onset of labor. For the first time, such uterine contractions occur after 24 weeks. They are characterized by a short duration, only a few seconds (rarely a minute), irregularity, the intervals between contractions range from 10-15 minutes to half an hour and last no more than two hours. Arising at the end of the gestation period, they mean the approach of childbirth. Such uterine contractions are also called training, as they prepare the woman's body, in particular, the uterus, for the upcoming work in the process of childbirth.

True contractions mark the beginning of the birth act. They are impossible not to notice and miss, as most women are afraid, especially those giving birth for the first time. Firstly, the onset of childbirth is preceded by their numerous precursors, especially the passage of the mucous plug (3-7 days before childbirth) is of great importance. Secondly, the discharge of amniotic fluid is possible. And thirdly, contractions have their own parameters, knowing about which, even a primiparous woman does not doubt the beginning of the birth act.

Contractions are necessary in order for the uterine os to open, first the head of the child will pass through it, and then the whole baby as a whole. The uterine os is the external and internal os of the cervical canal. Normally, before the onset of labor, the uterine os is closed (closed) or passes the tip of the finger. To facilitate the expulsion of the fetus from the uterine cavity, the uterine os opens up to 10 - 12 cm. Such a disclosure is called complete. In addition, during the first stage of labor, due to contractions, not only the opening of the cervix occurs, but also the movement of the presenting part of the fetus along the planes of the small pelvis. When the cervix opens completely, and the baby's head passes the bone ring of the pelvis and ends up on the pelvic floor (that is, in the vagina), attempts occur, which indicates the beginning of the second stage of labor. Attempts and contractions are related to fruitful forces, it becomes clear that childbirth without contractions is impossible.

Contractions: how to recognize them

As already mentioned, it is impossible to miss contractions, even if a woman is preparing to become a mother for the first time. But one should not believe the films, where the following situation is very often shown: in a woman in the last stages of pregnancy, in full health, labor activity suddenly and violently begins, and after a couple of hours she becomes a happy mother. Yes, such situations are not excluded, but this applies to rapid childbirth, which last no more than 4 hours for primiparas, and during the second birth, 2 hours or less pass from the moment uterine contractions begin to the birth of a child.

True contractions (normally) begin gradually, gradually increasing, and the interval between them decreases. How to understand that contractions have begun if the birth is the first? You need to listen to yourself. Feelings can be different. Someone compares uterine contractions with menstrual pains, and someone has pulling pains or sipping in the lumbar region, gradually spreading to the lower abdomen, encircling the woman. True contractions, as they say on many sites on the Internet, do not refer to the harbingers of childbirth, but to the onset of childbirth. To recognize contractions during childbirth, you should know their characteristics:

contractions are always regular and resume after certain periods of time;
the duration of uterine contractions increases, and the interval between them shortens;
pain (if any) gradually increases.

Another sensation that the expectant mother experiences during uterine contractions, especially if she is not worried about pain, is that the uterus “hardens”. This is easy to determine by hand. From the beginning of the contraction, the uterus contracts and becomes hard to the touch, and towards the end it gradually relaxes.

How long do contractions last? When childbirth has just begun, each uterine contraction lasts 10-15 seconds, with the passage of time the contractions lengthen and reach 1-1.5 minutes (60-90 seconds) by the end of the first period. The breaks between contractions are at first 10-15 minutes, then they become shorter, and in the tight period, contractions occur on average after 1.5-2 minutes, but possibly even after a minute.

Phases of the contraction period

In view of the fact that the neck opens unevenly, and the movement of the fetus along the bone ring occurs at different speeds, the period of contractions is divided into three phases:

First (latent phase)

Its beginning coincides with the establishment of regular contractions, and it ends with the smoothing of the cervix and its opening to 3-4 cm. Contractions continue from 20 to 45 seconds, occur every 15 minutes, the phase itself lasts up to 6 hours. This phase is called "latent" due to painlessness or mild pain and does not require medical anesthesia.

Second (active phase)

As soon as the uterine pharynx opens by 4 cm, the active phase starts. This phase is characterized by intense labor activity and a fairly rapid opening of the cervix. The active phase lasts 3-4 hours, the duration of uterine contractions reaches 60 seconds, and the intervals between them last 2-4 minutes. Upon reaching the opening of the neck of 8 cm and the whole fetal bladder, it should be opened (timely amniotomy).

Third or deceleration phase

It starts with the opening of the cervix up to 8 cm and ends with full disclosure. If there are contractions during the first birth, then the third phase lasts 40 minutes - 2 hours. In the case of the second birth, there may be no deceleration phase. Uterine contractions last 1 - 1.5 minutes and are repeated every minute.

Based on the foregoing, it is easy to calculate how long contractions and childbirth last in general. So, the duration of 1 period and childbirth in general in primiparas is approximately 10-12 hours. With repeated births, this distance is reduced to 6-8 hours. If the duration of labor exceeds the specified norms, they speak of protracted labor.

When is it time to go to the hospital

If contractions began before childbirth, when to go to the hospital? As is often the case, especially among nulliparous women, they come to the hospital either too early (which makes the woman in labor very nervous) or late. To avoid this or that situation, we will decide when it is time to call an ambulance.

To understand that contractions have begun, especially in the case of the first birth, is quite simple. Uterine contractions are regular, that is, they are repeated every 10 minutes, and then the interval between contractions slowly but surely begins to decrease to 7, then to 5 minutes, and so on. Since the birth is the first, when the woman herself establishes regular contractions with an interval of 5 to 7 minutes, it is time to call the ambulance station. If childbirth is repeated, then the regularity of contractions, as a rule, is established almost immediately, and the periods of rest between them decrease rapidly. Therefore, it is necessary to call the doctors immediately in order to avoid haste upon admission to the maternity hospital, when the disclosure is complete, and it is time to go to the delivery table. The risk of so-called road births also increases (especially in large cities, where travel is often difficult due to “traffic jams”).

In addition, it is necessary to call, and immediately, an ambulance team in the following cases:

discharge of amniotic fluid (often this happens in a dream, a woman wakes up in a wet bed and thinks with horror that she peed herself);
suspicion of an outpouring of water (a light, odorless liquid leaks or suspicious liquid discharge has appeared);
appeared bloody, with clots or without discharge of a dark or scarlet color (placental abruption is not excluded).

The beginning of childbirth, the appearance of regular contractions makes a woman and her family fuss and get nervous. Therefore, the bag to the maternity hospital must be collected in advance, according to a previously compiled list, so that in a hurry and bustle, do not forget something important. Before the ambulance arrives, the expectant mother, as well as her relatives, should calm down and tune in to a favorable outcome of an important event (sometimes the ambulance team does not know who to help first: a woman in labor to accompany her to the car or her agitated relatives).

How to relieve labor pain

It cannot be said that labor pain is so unbearable that it is easier to die than to survive it. I repeat, if you believe the stories of friends and relatives, it was so hard and bad for them at the moments of labor, the pain was so unbearable that they decided to go through it again, giving birth to a second or third child. Did you smile? It means that the devil is not so terrible as he is painted. Everything in this life can be experienced, and childbirth is a natural process and is laid down by nature. As a reassurance for expectant mothers, I would like to cite another well-known fact: men could not endure the pain that a woman experiences during contractions. What does it say? This only confirms that women are much stronger and more enduring than men, therefore, nature provided women, and not men, with the opportunity to bear and give birth to a child.

Undoubtedly, pain to one degree or another will accompany contractions, but there is not always a need for medical anesthesia, and does your future baby need it? There are a number of recommendations, following which the pain during contractions, if not disappear, then at least decrease.

How to relieve pain during childbirth:

Psychoprophylactic training

Such preparation begins in the second half of pregnancy. In the classes at the “school of mothers”, doctors and midwives cover the entire process of childbirth in detail, from A to Z, answer questions and tell you how to behave in each stage of childbirth, how to breathe correctly and how you can help yourself during contractions to ease them . The main female fears originate in ignorance of the process, what to expect and how to behave in a given situation. Good psychoprophylactic preparation will not only eliminate the gap in knowledge of the birth process, but also set the expectant mother to a successful outcome of childbirth, to the happy expectation of meeting her child.

"Exorcising Demons"

By demons are meant the fears of the upcoming birth. You should not relive the upcoming process in your soul again and again, wind yourself up and think about pain, how to survive it or about possible complications. Otherwise, a vicious circle is formed: the more you are afraid, the more likely the occurrence of complications and severe pain during contractions. Remember that all thoughts are material, speaking in scientific language, negative emotions “set” the brain, and it will try to bring this setting to life. Childbirth should be expected not with fear, but with joy, because for so many long months a woman carried a baby under her heart, how she wants to meet and get to know him as soon as possible.

warm water

If the contractions started at home and time allows, it is recommended to take a warm but hot bath (provided that the amniotic fluid has not departed). Warm water will help you relax as much as possible and relieve the tension of the uterine muscle, the contractions will become softer, and the opening of the neck will accelerate. If the waters have receded, a warm shower is allowed. In the maternity hospital, upon admission, the woman in labor is also sent to the shower, where you can stand under the warm streams for your pleasure.

Maximum relaxation

In the case of the start of contractions at home and long breaks between them, it is necessary to ensure comfort and relaxation. You can listen to pleasant music, watch your favorite movie, calmly drink tea (if you don’t have to) and even take a nap. The first period, especially in primiparas, is quite long, so a woman needs to gain strength and energy for childbirth.

Active behavior

Active behavior during contractions means walking and taking comfortable postures at the time of uterine contraction. Not so long ago, a woman in labor was prescribed to be in a horizontal position in the first period. To date, it has been proven that movement in a vertical position forces the opening of the cervix (the presenting part presses on the cervix), and facilitates contractions. You can rock your pelvis, dance, or make circular movements with your hips.

Massage

The first stage of the birth of the Saami is the time for a massage. You can perform massage yourself, but it is better to entrust this matter to your husband (if he is present at the birth). With light movements during a fight, you can stroke your stomach (but only in a clockwise direction). It is also allowed to massage the lower back and sacrum, pressure with fists on points on the sides of the spine in the lumbar region and pressure with the thumbs in the places of the anterior upper pelvic spines (they are easy to identify - the parts of the pelvis that protrude the most in front).

Correct posture

At the time of the contraction, the woman in labor takes the most comfortable position for her. This can be a tilt of the body forward with an emphasis on the wall or headboard (as an option - the husband), while the legs are spread shoulder-width apart. You can get on all fours or squat, it is also convenient to lift one leg, placing it on a chair, leaning against the wall (bed, window sill). Many maternity hospitals today have special large balls on which you can jump during uterine contraction or lie down. When choosing and accepting a comfortable position, it is important not to forget about proper breathing.

We breathe correctly

Proper breathing will not only reduce the pain during contractions, but also ensure the maximum flow of oxygen to the fetus. It is not recommended to scream during contractions. Firstly, when you cry, your breath is held, which means that oxygen is not supplied to the child. Secondly, a lot of energy is spent on screaming, which will still be needed in the straining period. And, thirdly, by screaming you just scare the child (yes, yes, he thinks that since mom is screaming, then not everything is in order).

We are distracted

Helps relieve pain or at least forget about it various distractions. You can read poetry or sing songs, repeat the multiplication table aloud, or do simple arithmetic.

Trust in the doctor

Another important point that affects the intensity of pain in the first period is the trust in the doctor. If you don’t like the doctor in some way or you instinctively don’t believe him, ask to replace the obstetrician. But the best option is a preliminary agreement with the doctor who will take delivery.

Case Study

I had a young primigravida. Somehow I won her trust, and she decided that I should take care of her birth. And then one day, on the weekend, early in the morning the doorbell rang. I open it and see this woman, who says that she started having contractions, and she came for me to take me to the hospital. She did not come alone, of course, with her husband. I asked, how long ago did it start and is it tolerable so far? She replied that it was tolerable, the contractions had been going on for about 4 hours, the water had not broken. Well, since such a thing, there is no hurry, we drank tea, talked and laughed, and slowly went to the hospital (the hospital can be seen from the window of my house). When the woman in labor was completed, the size of the abdomen and pelvis was measured (the pelvis, by the way, turned out to be normal), I determined the position of the fetus and its presentation, listened to the heartbeat and invited the woman to the gynecological chair. During the examination, it turned out that the opening of the uterine os is complete, the head is already on its way to the exit from the small pelvis. About an hour later we gave birth to a healthy full-term baby boy.

Summing up, I want to note why the woman did not experience pain, but only slight discomfort during contractions:

sufficient size of the pelvis and fetus of medium size;
a positive attitude towards childbirth and their successful completion;
husband support;
unlimited confidence in the doctor.

Proper breathing

Proper breathing during childbirth and contractions not only relieves pain, but also helps the woman in labor to relax as much as possible, provides the body of both the mother and the fetus with oxygen, and favors the opening of the uterine os. Unfortunately, many women treat the need to learn proper breathing with a fair amount of skepticism, not believing in its “miraculous” capabilities, but in vain. How to breathe correctly during contractions and childbirth is taught at the “school of mothers”, in terms of 30-32 weeks. It is necessary to master the breathing technique in such a way that all movements are performed automatically, this will facilitate the course of childbirth in the future.

Breathing technique

How to breathe properly depends on the strength of the contractions and their phase. It is important to follow the rule: the longer and more intense the contractions, the more frequent the breathing. Proper breathing techniques:

Breathe deeply and slowly

This method of breathing is recommended in the latent phase of contractions, when they still do not cause pain, but only bring discomfort. Inhale shortly and quickly, and exhale slowly and long. You need to inhale through the nose, and exhale through the mouth, stretching out the lips with a “tube”. It is recommended to count while breathing: while inhaling, count up to 3, while exhaling up to 5.

Method "candle"

As soon as the contractions have gained strength and become longer, we breathe often and shallowly. Inhale through the nose, exhale through the outstretched lips. We breathe so often and not deeply, as if we were blowing out a candle. By the end of the contraction, you can return to deep slow breathing. The slight dizziness that appears after this breathing technique is due to hyperventilation of the lungs. Also, frequent shallow breathing contributes to the release of endorphins (“hormones of joy”), which reduce pain.

Big Candle Technique

By the end of the first stage of labor, we switch to the “big candle” technique. We breathe with effort, inhaling as if with a stuffy nose, and exhaling through almost closed lips.

Breathing in case of early attempts

When the cervix is not fully open, and the head begins to descend, early attempts occur, which are contraindicated and can provoke ruptures of the cervix. In this case, it is recommended to change the position of the body (stand or squat), at the beginning of the fight, breathe in a “candle” (superficially and often), then inhale briefly and repeat the “candle”. Thus, breathe until the end of the fight. In between uterine contractions, we breathe freely.

Method "dog"

We breathe often and shallowly, but the mouth is open at the same time (we inhale and exhale through the mouth).

Breathing in attempts

At the beginning of the attempt, we inhale as deeply as possible and push into the perineum, trying to push the child out. Avoid pushing in the face (otherwise there will be ruptures of the blood vessels of the retina and a headache). For a fight, you need to push three times. As soon as the head is born, we stop pushing and breathe like a dog. After the command, the attempt is resumed, during which the child is born.

By contractions after childbirth, women mean contractions of the subsequent period. After the birth of a child, it is necessary to give birth to the afterbirth. When the placenta separated from the uterine walls, the pains resume, but not as intense as in the first period. In this case, no special efforts are required, it is enough to push slightly and the “baby place” comes out of the uterus.

The birth of a baby is a happy event for every family. However, many women have to recover for quite a long time due to the healing of the stitches, and the joy is overshadowed by poor health, discomfort and pain. Those who have already given birth to one or more children have an idea of labor activity, but primiparous mothers are especially interested in how to behave during childbirth and contractions in order to give birth easily and without breaks.

The fear of a woman before the upcoming birth is quite understandable, but we should never forget that this is, first of all, the joy of the appearance of a long-awaited child. Therefore, first of all, a woman in labor should push aside negative thoughts and try to think positively. Of course, there is hard work ahead, but the reward will be a meeting with your baby.

In fact, the mood of the mother is transmitted to the baby in her womb, and when fear rolls over, the child also starts to get nervous. There is no need to think about pain - this is a transient phenomenon, it is better to remember those who are worried about their mother and are looking forward to her return from the hospital.

You should know how to behave during childbirth and contractions, and then, thanks to the presence of the spirit, childbirth will be easier and faster. Usually, labor activity is divided into three main stages:

Preparation of the uterus and baby for birth during labor;
The birth of a child, through attempts;
The final phase with the departure of the placenta.

In this regard, during the preparation for childbirth, a woman should:

Master the technique of correct breathing;
Find the most successful position that helps to give birth, and, at the same time, safe for the condition of the fetus;
Learn how to push correctly so as not to injure the child and avoid tears.

Primiparous mothers may not know, but it is not advisable to scream during childbirth, since in this case the baby may experience oxygen starvation, and it is also difficult for him to move through the birth canal. In addition, fear, although it is a psychological state, can exacerbate real pain.

Proper breathing, pushing and posture

It is better for a woman to learn about how to breathe in advance, moreover, you need to learn this, so you will have to practice during pregnancy.

This can be done by enrolling in special courses that she can attend with her husband. It is important that certain breathing should correspond to each stage of labor activity.

Of course, the doctor will also tell her how to behave, but a woman must master three basic techniques in advance:

In the initial contractions, breathing should be applied with a count - inhalation must be taken during a spasm, and exhaled very slowly in just a few seconds. Usually count up to four when inhaling, and up to six when exhaling.
When strong and painful contractions are present, one should breathe like a dog - inhalation and exhalation should be quick and rhythmic.
During the birth of a child, breathing is characterized by a deep inhalation and a strong exhalation with the direction of pressure on the lower abdomen - the uterus and vagina.

Proper breathing provides the fetus with normal access to oxygen, reduces pain, and contributes to the rapid completion of the birth process.

When discussing how to behave during childbirth and contractions, this applies not only to breathing, but also to the optimal posture of the woman in labor. There is no single ideal position for everyone for the most convenient expulsion of the fetus, since the body of each woman has its own characteristics, both physiological and anatomical.

But it has been noticed that it is more convenient for some women to give birth in a position on all fours, though still in the same horizontal position - for this, the woman in labor should try to take this position on her back, pulling her knees as much as possible and tilting her face forward to her chest. Sometimes a woman can intuitively feel how she should turn or lie down. If this does not threaten the child, the doctor during the contractions will tell you how best to do this.

It is very important to make attempts correctly. The intensity of pain, the appearance or absence of gaps depends on this. Also, pushing incorrectly can result in injury to the baby.

What not to do when trying:

When trying, you can not strain the muscles, as this slows down the passage of the child through the birth canal - if the muscle tissue is relaxed, the uterus opens much faster, and the pain is not so strong.
Do not put pressure on the head or rectum - only in the lower abdomen.
It is forbidden to push with all your might until the uterus opens, as this leads to perineal tears and damage to the child.

On average, one contraction should have two or three attempts. A woman in labor should not rush things - in any case, the child will be born at the right time, but the mother must unquestioningly listen to the doctor's instructions.

How to behave during childbirth and contractions to give birth easily and without breaks

So, the very first stage is, in fact, contractions, the purpose of which is to open the cervix in order to let the baby through.

How to behave during fights

This period can take from 3-4 to 12 or more hours. In women giving birth for the first time, the process can drag on for 24 hours. Usually, in the beginning, contractions occur every 15-20 minutes, gradually increasing in time. At the same time, the intervals between them are shrinking. A woman needs to control their onset, since the doctor can derive a certain algorithm of childbirth from these calculations and help the woman in labor in time. If the contractions are repeated every 15 minutes, it's time to go to the hospital.

When uterine contractions are repeated every 5 minutes, this may mean an early expulsion of the fetus, that is, the birth of a baby. Usually severe cramps occur in the lower abdomen, as well as in the region of the lumbar spine. Expectant mothers at this moment should not eat - you can only drink water.

The third phase of contractions can last up to four hours or more. A woman must definitely rest in short intervals between them. When the pain is especially strong, you can muffle it with frequent breathing.

How to properly push during childbirth so that there are no tears

Attempts are the most important and crucial moment when the baby is born. Contractions accelerate, repeating every minute, and the woman in labor begins to feel powerful pressure on the anus. At this time, a woman needs to get together and make every effort to help her child. To hold on, the woman in labor can take hold of the special handrails of the table. Next, she will need to take a deep breath, hold her breath, and press her head in an elevated state to her chest.

It happens that the attempts are weak, in which case the doctor usually allows one or two contractions to be missed. At the same time, a woman should relax as much as possible and breathe often. Later, she will be able to perform the most fruitful expulsion of the fetus.

Doctors say that during childbirth, the expectant mother should not take into account arbitrary urination or even bowel movements, since restraint and tension can harm both the baby and herself. Do not forget that childbirth is a difficult natural process and a huge burden on internal organs, including the bladder and intestines. Moreover, during labor, a woman has more important work to do than wasting extra energy on unnecessary thoughts and embarrassment.

After the birth of a child, it is still too early for a mother to relax, although, of course, the departure of a child's place is the most painless stage during childbirth. After some time, contractions begin again, but they are very weak. During the next attempt, ideally, the fetal membranes and placenta should separate. This may take a different time - from several to 30-40 minutes. It happens that the afterbirth does not come out completely, and then the doctor will have to remove its remnants. If the child's place has departed completely, an examination by a gynecologist of the birth canal will follow. As a rule, this process passes without complications.

A woman needs not only to know how to behave during childbirth and contractions - in addition, she should follow all the recommendations of the obstetrician, undergo vaginal examinations if they are necessary to determine the important points of the birth process. Often, women in labor refuse to stimulate weak labor with the help of drug therapy, but sometimes such a doctor’s decision is made not without reason. There are cases when appropriate drugs helped the child avoid injuries and health complications in the future.

Women who cannot get rid of negative thoughts about upcoming trials, pain and breakups can be advised to undergo training using special gymnastics, massage and breathing exercises so that she feels more confident. A good psychologist will also help, who can set the expectant mother in a positive way. In the end, the pain will pass, but the most precious thing in a mother's life will remain - her beloved child.

How to breathe properly during childbirth and contractions: video

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A woman who is expecting a child, especially if it is her first child, is seriously puzzled by many problems, including the following questions: how does childbirth go, what should be feared, how should one behave? Most women experience mixed feelings during pregnancy. On the one hand, this is joy before the most long-awaited event - the birth of a baby. On the other hand, there is a fear of the unknown, because a woman gives birth for the first time, and does not know what can happen during childbirth, and how to behave in a given situation. Therefore, it is desirable that a pregnant woman familiarize herself with some facts about childbirth in advance.

What can happen during childbirth

The process of childbirth for a woman can be accompanied by various unpleasant phenomena. This is a completely natural reaction of the body, there is no need to be afraid of this, but it is advisable to be ready for anything. Among the most common birth companions are the following phenomena:

Strong chill. Chills in parturient women are quite common. But it does not arise because it is cold in the room. The reason for the chills lies in the differences in blood pressure: during childbirth, it can rise or fall sharply. Sometimes chills in a pregnant woman are the result of an increase in body temperature, which occurs when the baby's blood is not compatible with the mother's blood.

Involuntary bowel movements. Most women are very ashamed of this phenomenon, but you just need to understand that this is a natural and quite common phenomenon during childbirth, and doctors know about it: during childbirth, the baby squeezes the mother's intestines, and the woman releases gases and feces. As a rule, medical workers take it calmly, because this happens to almost every woman in labor.

Vomit. Vomiting in a woman in labor can occur if she has contractions almost immediately after eating. But there may be other causes of vomiting: for example, a sharp opening of the cervix or, again, as with chills, jumps in blood pressure.

Strong fright. As a rule, it is precisely those women who give birth to their first child who experience a strong fright during childbirth. Such a fear is quite justified, because the woman has not yet had practical experience in childbirth. It also happens that even the expectant mother, being a completely balanced person who attended special classes in preparation for childbirth, at the time of the onset of the birth itself, is completely lost and does not really understand anything. But, no matter how scary it is, you need to pull yourself together and try to remember all the knowledge gained as a result of classes and studying special literature in order to help your baby be born healthy!

By the way, fear can take by surprise not only a woman, but also the man accompanying her - the father of the child. Today, the presence of one of the native people during childbirth is mandatory. This should be a close relative, ideally the mother or spouse of the woman in labor. Only now, not every man is able to withstand such a spectacle, because he will have to observe not only the very process of the birth of his baby, but also the painful torment of his soulmate, which he will not be able to alleviate in any way. Even for a loving husband, this event can turn into the deepest stress, so if a woman is afraid to give birth herself, it may be better to ask her mother or close friend to attend the birth.

Hysterics. It is very difficult for overly emotional women during childbirth to manage their emotions. Some may cry and scream, while others may laugh hysterically. Some emotional moms in a fit are even able to offend people nearby - medical workers, and even their own spouse! Of course, subsequently, the newly-minted mother deeply regrets what was said, so you still need to try to control yourself, at least not be rude to anyone.

Rejection of a newborn baby. Fortunately, this phenomenon is extremely rare and lasts a very short time - up to several hours. It happens that a woman, exhausted by a difficult birth and experiencing the deepest stress, does not even want to look at her newborn baby. But as soon as the pain subsides a little, and the newly-minted mother comes to her senses, she will not want to part with her baby for a minute.

It is important for a pregnant woman to know exactly how labor begins so that all necessary measures can be taken in time. As a rule, contractions are a signal of approaching childbirth. However, there are also false contractions that can disturb a woman due to increased uterine tone after the 20th week of pregnancy. Real prenatal contractions are more pronounced and their duration gradually increases.

With rapid childbirth, water and a mucous plug begin to drain - then you urgently need to go to the hospital. It is necessary in advance (already at the 35-36th week of pregnancy) to collect all the necessary things for the woman in labor and the baby, including documents, because there is always a chance that childbirth can begin earlier than expected.

Childbirth itself takes place in three stages:

At the first stage, there is a gradual opening of the uterus and expansion of the birth canal;
At the second stage, the long-awaited baby is born;
At the third stage, the placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes are separated from the walls of the uterus.

The first stage of labor can be very painful and last up to 20 hours, so doctors recommend that women in labor during labor be more active - not lie down, but walk around the room. The more a woman moves, the faster the uterus will open, which means that the birth will be more successful.

As a rule, women give birth in the prone position - this is the custom in maternity hospitals, because this position is convenient not only for obstetricians who take birth, but also for the woman in labor. But the results of medical research show that childbirth is no less successful when a woman gives birth in an upright position.

In any case, in what position to give birth, it is up to the mother herself to decide. Still, it will not be possible to completely avoid pain sensations - giving birth to a baby, a woman endures pain equal in sensations to the pain received during a fracture of 20 bones at once. To survive such severe pain, a woman is helped by beta-endorphins, which are produced by the female body during childbirth and are a kind of natural pain reliever.

Thus, the expectant mother, having learned what can happen during childbirth, will not be taken by surprise, but will know how to respond to this or that problem that has arisen, and how to deal with it. So, the process of childbirth itself will not be so scary for her.