How to physically and psychologically prepare for childbirth

The entire civilized world has long come to the conclusion that a woman (or spouses) needs to be specially prepared for the birth of a child. This has a positive effect not only on medical indicators (the number of birth injuries is reduced, pain during childbirth is reduced, etc.), but also on the psychological climate in the family (the level of postpartum depressive states is reduced, adaptation to the arrival of a new family member is faster and etc.). Where can future parents undergo such training? First of all, in the so-called schools (courses) for pregnant women.

But today, with their significant diversity, it is very difficult to navigate the offers of this type of service: behind the sonorous titles, well-known names and slogans, what you expect may be hidden.

How to choose a maternity hospital

By 34 – 36 weeks of pregnancy, it is important to understand where you will give birth. As a rule, the first labor begins at 40–41 weeks, and if this does not happen, doctors stimulate it. What to look for when choosing a maternity hospital? Here are some parameters worth considering:

• cost of services - you have the right to free childbirth in Russia, but during contractions any maternity hospital will accept you and provide the necessary assistance;
• Do they do epidural anesthesia there?
• location of the maternity hospital;
• the possibility of the husband or other loved ones being present at the birth;
• comfort of being in the maternity hospital - the number of people in the room, whether there is a shower or toilet;
• availability of the specialization you need (for example, a department for complicated childbirth or the possibility of vertical birth);
• availability of pediatric intensive care;
• after birth, is the baby placed on the mother’s stomach and applied to the breast, if this is important to you;
• comfort of childbirth - how many people the delivery room is designed for, whether the maternity hospital has special equipment for carrying out epidural anesthesia, if necessary, and other latest equipment for treating complex cases;
• How does visiting with relatives work?

It should also be taken into account that all maternity hospitals close once a year for cleaning for one or two weeks. Check your office's opening hours and do so again closer to your due date.

What, how and when to choose?

• It is better not to postpone attending courses until the very last months of pregnancy, because the knowledge gained must be learned and the skills practiced. This takes time, and the state of your health in recent months and a large belly can make life difficult for you. The best time to attend school is the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
• Once you have decided on the time, decide on the program. Each school works according to its own methodology - find out for yourself whether it is right for you, what is most important for you - the theoretical part, physical training, psychological training. When choosing a method, keep in mind that it is much better when the school does not focus on any one method of childbirth (vertical, water, home birth), but covers all options equally. Then the woman herself comes to the choice of the system she needs.
• Before enrolling in a school, visit it for informational purposes and take a closer look (usually the first lesson is free). Pay attention to the room in which the lesson is taking place - how comfortable it is for you.
• Pay great attention to the professionalism and personal qualities of teachers and instructors.
• Evaluate the variety of working methods and their compatibility.
• Be sure to seriously weigh your responsibility for the life and health of your child before choosing any extreme birth method. Remember: a lot depends on your preparedness for childbirth and your choice.

Natalya Gadua, obstetrician-gynecologist, head of the observational department of the maternity hospital in Mytishchi Article from the November issue of the magazine

Joint or separate stay in the maternity hospital?

One of the important factors that influences the choice of maternity hospital is where the baby is located after birth: in the room with the mother or separately from her. This decision is controversial, and it is worth weighing the pros and cons before making it. Pros of living together:

• confidence that the baby is near you and safe;
• the ability to put it to the breast when necessary, giving the baby from the very beginning the antibodies contained in colostrum necessary for immunity, and stimulating milk production;
• presence at the examination of the child by doctors making rounds - you can ask questions and tell them how the night went, how the baby behaved;
• the opportunity to take care of the baby and establish contact with him - talk, stroke, rock.

Disadvantages of living together:

• if this is your first child, there may be anxiety associated with the fact that the new mother does not yet know how to handle him;
• you may feel lonely and helpless because you and your child are alone and there is no one nearby who can support and stay with the baby for 10 - 15 minutes;
• there is no opportunity to take care of yourself in the usual way;
• Fatigue accumulates, and it’s not always possible to fall asleep, because you wake up at any sound from the baby’s cradle.

Now let’s list the pros and cons of being separated from your baby. Pros of being apart:

• the opportunity to get enough sleep after childbirth and a day without sleep;
• there is time to get yourself in order - wash your hair, take a shower;
• unhindered communication with the doctor about the postpartum condition;
• you are calm about the child who receives professional care and supervision.

Disadvantages of being apart:

• possible difficulties with establishing natural feeding, since the baby in the infant department is fed from a nipple and a natural latch on the breast is not formed;
• lack of contact with the baby, who is usually asleep when he is brought in for feeding;
• anxiety for the baby - he is far from his mother and may suffer from this;
• mistrust of nurses who are overworked and cannot give each child enough attention.

For mom, each item on this list has its own weight and meaning. For some, it seems unthinkable to leave a newborn in the hands of others, while others are afraid of making a mistake and will feel better knowing that a nurse is taking care of the baby.

When concluding a contract with a maternity hospital, the priority method of childbirth (natural or caesarean section) is determined.

Methods of preparation for childbirth (Grantley Dick-Read, Lamaze, R. Bradley, M. Auden)

There are many techniques for preparing for childbirth. Each includes 3 key aspects:

• breath;
• relaxation;
• positive attitude.

The methods are similar to each other, but have some differences. The most popular include:

1. The Grantley Dick-Read method prepares for a gentle natural birth. To do this, you need to overcome fear, since it is precisely this that provokes physical tension, which increases pain during childbirth.
2. Preparation using the Lamaze method is quite in demand and gives tangible results. The bottom line is that the expectant mother studies and performs certain techniques for a long time, improving so much that she is able to control the pain of labor.
3. R. Bradley's method teaches you to listen to the body during natural childbirth and interact with it. The method is based on diet, physical and spiritual exercises. On a subconscious level, the expectant mother must realize that childbirth is not a terrible pain, but a physiological process. She gradually calms down, gaining confidence in her abilities.
4. M. Auden's method teaches a woman to react freely to develop intuition. She tries her hand at creativity, searching for her favorite activity. The author of the method is confident that developed intuition helps speed up and simplify the birth process; in addition, he promotes vertical childbirth.

Any method of preparing a woman for childbirth includes three important aspects:

• correct breathing;
• ability to relax;
• positive thinking.

Modern methods of preparing for childbirth are similar and different at the same time. Every woman can choose what is closest to her.

So, we prepare for childbirth using the following methods.

This concept was developed more than a hundred years ago by midwife Margaret Gamper and doctor Grantly Dick-Read. Their technique is based on achieving a soft birth process with the necessary preparation for it.

Grantley Dick-Read argued that every woman is capable of controlling the physical stress and pain that arises during childbirth on her own. To achieve this, it is enough to strictly adhere to the main principles of independent childbirth.

To do this, it is important for a woman preparing to become a mother to overcome her fear of the inevitability of pain and suffering, since it is fear that causes physical tension, which increases pain.

But it is not only the position of self-persuasion that underlies this technique. Grantly Dick-Read offered his patients deep relaxation techniques, which also played a great role in childbirth. This technique is described in more detail in the book “Childbirth without Fear,” which every expectant mother can get acquainted with.

Lamaze technique

This technique became popular in the 50s of the last century. Its founder was Ferdinand Lamaze. According to many doctors, this technique is more like training - a woman learns the same techniques for a long time, which are practiced to perfection, which allows her not to be distracted by physical discomfort during childbirth and keep the process under control.

Lamaze took the teaching of Pavlov’s reflexes as the basis for his method. As for women, most of them believe that following the Lamaze method really gives tangible results during childbirth. The main techniques of the Lamaze method are meditation, breathing and relaxation. All of them can be practiced alone or together with a partner.

As in the previous case, this technique became known in the middle of the last century. Despite this, it remains relevant today and tells how and when to prepare for childbirth.

Unlike the Lamaze technique, the concept of this theory was the task of listening to one’s own feelings during the birth process and learning to actively interact with the body. Robert Bradley, in his methodology, developed a special balanced diet and a mandatory set of physical and spiritual exercises.

The author of the method believes that a careful step-by-step approach to his theory will allow the expectant mother to realize that physiologically normal processes occur in her body during pregnancy and childbirth. Also, the objective of the technique is to increase the level of confidence and calmness of a woman.

Joint preparation for childbirth with a partner and partner childbirth - Robert Bradley advocates for this. Before the advent of this theory, childbirth was considered an exclusively individual matter and nothing was known about partner childbirth.

You can get acquainted with the method of this author in the book “The Childbirth Experience”. Sheila Kitsinger views preparation for childbirth as an indispensable combination of the following factors: breathing technique, massage, self-control and sacred experience, based on the social, personal and sexual peak in the life of a pregnant woman.

The author of the methodology believes that with the help of childbirth, a woman is revealed as an individual, while the level of her social significance and her own self-esteem increases. Such an attitude is necessary when preparing for childbirth; only in this case will it become favorable and successful for the woman in labor and her child, as well as for all her loved ones.

According to the founder of this technique, childbirth is a process saturated with the deepest intuition. In order for them to be most successful, the woman in labor must learn the power of emancipation; she must follow her emotions and nature. To achieve this, it is important to observe certain subtleties.

Michel Oden suggested that women explore their talents during pregnancy and discover their new capabilities. This could be dancing, singing, drawing and other creative activities. The woman must choose her own position during childbirth. According to the author of the technique, vertical birth is the most suitable for women in labor.

Hypnobirthing

This technique is based on the practical activities of ancient yoga. With its help, expectant mothers can master self-hypnosis, self-hypnosis, the basics of meditation, positive thinking and much more.

What is a birth certificate

In Russia, every woman can receive a birth certificate worth 11,000 rubles, which is issued during maternity leave at 30 weeks of pregnancy. The certificate consists of three coupons:

• 3000 rub. can be spent at the antenatal clinic when monitoring pregnancy;
• 6000 rub. - to pay for services in any maternity hospital;
• 2000 rub. - in a children's clinic after the birth of a child during the first year of his life, 1000 rubles. every six months.

About “school programs”

The basis for the primary classification of schools can be the specifics of their curriculum. These programs are compiled based on the priorities that the school organizers have: these can be professional doctors - obstetricians-gynecologists and pediatricians - as well as psychologists, teachers, or simply experienced parents who, based on their experience, have tried to create their own childbirth preparation program.

Basically, with the exception of some extraordinary decisions, several directions can be identified in the activities of such schools.

The theoretical educational program is a course of lectures, the purpose of which is to tell future parents in detail about the features of the process of pregnancy and childbirth - both physiologically and psychologically. As a rule, these are lectures about the changes that occur in a woman’s body during pregnancy, about the intrauterine development of a child, about the most important stages of childbirth and skills in handling a baby, using medical diagrams and models as illustrative examples. At the same time, the lecture form does not mean that one person talks, and everyone else writes down and listens - during the lesson, questions from students and answers from teachers are provided, as well as practicing practical skills, for example, feeding or swaddling a child.

In addition to lectures, such courses may offer viewing and discussion of videos about childbirth or the process of breastfeeding - thus, future parents will learn about various scenarios for the development of events during childbirth from a large number of specific examples.

The ultimate goal of such classes is to gradually form in a pregnant woman (couple) a correct understanding of pregnancy and childbirth, not distorted by everyday stereotypes and fears.

Usually with such courses you can buy the necessary literature and cassettes.

A similar program exists within the framework of public health care. It is understood that such information is presented in classes on so-called psychoprophylactic training in antenatal clinics and medical centers. However, for various reasons, such a program is not always implemented. The attitude of official health care towards other programs, as a rule, is ambiguous, and towards spiritual programs and classes aimed at preparing for home and (or) water births, it is sharply negative. This position is based on available statistical data on the large number of complications during water and home births.

The physical preparation program for childbirth is a series of practical classes that are carried out in a gym or swimming pool. Traditionally, they include training, relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, natural healing and hardening programs. All this helps the woman later, during childbirth, to feel liberated and completely responsible for the processes occurring in her body; for example, the ability to relax in time will reduce pain during labor pains - this is the goal of the classes within the framework of this program.

The pool hosts water aerobics classes, which help strengthen the muscles involved during childbirth.

A psychological program is a series of trainings, group or individual sessions, in which, using certain psychotherapeutic methods, they try to reduce anxiety, fears and neurotic manifestations in pregnant women, and orient them towards an adequate reaction in response to stressful stimuli. The relationship between spouses during pregnancy, the transition to a new type of relationship, the feelings of the future father, motherhood and fatherhood also become issues for reflection and discussion.

Educational program - in a variety of forms, it provides for the cultivation of a sense of motherhood through the establishment and formation of a spiritual connection between parents and the unborn child. Often, classes are based on the idea of ​​prenatal education - that is, raising a child and communicating with him before his birth, establishing two-way communication with him. Sometimes, depending on the chosen methodology and direction, individual and group work of a spiritual mentor is carried out, and attendance at sacred music concerts and churches is provided.

A program for developing creative self-expression skills - most often drawing and music. By depicting your thoughts, feelings, emotions on paper or listening to music, you can resolve some internal contradictions for yourself or change disturbing experiences in a positive way. The development and expression of creative ideas that the expectant mother experiences during pregnancy have a positive effect on her well-being and mood.

All these main areas of training for a pregnant woman are represented to one degree or another in every school for expectant parents, but the proportions can differ very significantly. And here the main role is played not so much by the form and direction of the classes, but by the methods of preparing for childbirth, which are embodied in the content of the classes.

What you need to know from your doctor before giving birth

Before going to the maternity hospital, it is important for you to understand what equipment and type of anesthesia can be used during childbirth. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask questions, because we are talking about you and your baby. How do doctors understand which type of birth is preferable?

• By the 38th - 39th week of pregnancy, the fetus is completely ready for delivery and can no longer change its position without outside intervention. 96% of children turn over as they should - head down. This position is considered correct and is called “head presentation”. In this case, if there are no contraindications, natural childbirth is prescribed.
• There are exceptional situations when the child turns towards the exit with his feet (pelvic or leg presentation of the fetus) or lies across the abdomen (transverse and oblique presentation of the fetus). Then specialists try to correct the situation before birth occurs.

Physical training

Physical training allows the expectant mother to stay in shape, which will help her endure childbirth more easily.

It consists of the following aspects:

• Motor activity and hardening. Both of these factors are necessary for every pregnant woman. In the absence of contraindications, it is recommended to take walks in the fresh air more often, wisely alternating activity and rest. The rhythm of the loads is selected individually according to the well-being and condition of the expectant mother.
• Gymnastics for pregnant women. Physical exercises are selected individually for each woman, depending on the nature of pregnancy, duration and presence of complications. A specialist will tell you how to prepare the body for childbirth with the help of gymnastics for expectant mothers. If a woman works out at home, then it is important that someone is nearby.

If the expectant mother has previously been involved in sports, then, in the absence of contraindications, she can continue exercising, choosing the optimal and suitable physical activity. After 36 weeks of pregnancy, it is better to stop exercising or reduce it to a minimum, as there is a risk of premature birth.

Here are some tips on how to physically prepare for childbirth:

1. Go swimming. While exercising in the pool, the expectant mother strengthens all the muscles of her body - the perineum, legs, abs, back. The body becomes more flexible and resilient. Breathing functions improve and stretching increases. In general, water has a pronounced relaxing effect on the entire body, as a result of which preparation for childbirth is more effective.
2. Get a massage. It is part of a set of exercises to physically prepare the body for childbirth. For expectant mothers, massage has its own peculiarities - without active influences and kneading in the abdominal area. Massage helps eliminate lower back pain, relieve muscle tension and swelling of the lower extremities. This also includes self-massage of the intimate area using special oils. Preparing the perineum allows you to avoid excessive stretching and tearing of tissue in this area, making it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal. How to prepare the uterus and perineum for childbirth is worth checking with your gynecologist in more detail.
3. Learn proper breathing. The ability to breathe at the right pace during childbirth allows you to minimize pain during contractions and facilitate the process of giving birth to a child. Breathing exercises should be practiced regularly, starting from the 2nd trimester.
4. In the last weeks of pregnancy, you should prepare the cervix for childbirth to minimize the likelihood of complications, cracks and ruptures.

Making a birth plan

Why do you need a birth plan? First of all, don’t forget to discuss with your doctor all the important details of the upcoming event - one of the most important in your life. Your doula, your birth assistant, if you have one, will also need this plan. You can read more about it here.

It is worth remembering that childbirth is always unpredictable. You need to trust the situation, take care of everything in your power in advance, and then relax.

Here are some things to think about before giving birth:

• what types of medical interventions you are ready or not ready to approve;
• what methods of pain relief you want to use, your position on epidural anesthesia;
• do you want someone close to you at the time of birth;
• if you have any diseases, do doctors take your condition into account when making all decisions during childbirth (of course, they do, but it’s better to talk it over again);
• What you can and would like to drink and snack on during labor, which can take a day or more. We are talking about broth, juices, applesauce, a small portion of pasta without sauce - every doctor has his own opinion about food during childbirth, and it is better to clarify it in advance;
• in what positions you would like to give birth - for this you need to find out in advance what opportunities exist in your maternity hospital;
• whether you want to use the birthing pool, whether you need massage, aromatherapy, music or anything else;
• Do you agree to the presence of interns? They can help and support you during labor, but it is advisable to communicate with them in advance to make you feel comfortable;
• if the child’s father wants to cut the umbilical cord, you need to clarify whether this is possible in the maternity hospital you have chosen;
• what the newborn will wear after birth, where you want to breastfeed your baby for the first time - in the delivery room or later, in the ward;
• Do you agree to have your newborn vaccinated? If you refuse, you will have to sign a statement to that effect.

In what cases is additional preparation of the cervix for childbirth necessary?

According to statistics, about 17% of women expecting their first child and 3.5% of multiparous women experience difficulty dilating the uterus during natural childbirth. If a woman in labor has endocrine system disorders (obesity, diabetes), the cervix needs additional preparation. Also, special preparation is necessary if the following factors arise:

1. Hormonal changes occur in the body. Estrogen, which is responsible for the proper functioning of the ovaries, is produced in insufficient quantities; accordingly, the cervix does not have time to prepare for childbirth.
2. There are tumors and scars in the uterus. As a rule, women over 35 years of age are at risk.
3. Much less often, the cause is such factors as anemia, gynecological diseases in an advanced stage, which led to a decrease in the elasticity of the birth canal.
4. Genetic predisposition.

If the listed risk factors occur, the cervix needs special procedures, which are recommended to begin in the first weeks of pregnancy. Otherwise, ruptures of the perineum, birth canal, injury and even death of the baby may occur. If the baby is ready to be born and the uterus has not dilated, surgery may be required to save the baby's life.

It is impossible to accelerate the ripening of the cervix with the help of any training or muscular effects. Cervical preparation can be done with medication or at home. Let's consider these options.

How to prepare the cervix for childbirth at home:

• Regular intimate relationships in the absence of contraindications for the expectant mother. Frequent sexual intercourse effectively softens the cervix, and the vagina becomes elastic, which means it is more prepared for the upcoming stretching. Thanks to this, the onset of labor is naturally stimulated.
• Massaging the nipples results in the production of oxytocin, a hormone that induces labor.
• Evening primrose oil also promotes cervical ripening, but can only be purchased with a doctor's permission. It is rich in fatty acids that help the cervix soften and prepare for childbirth.

List for the maternity hospital: packing a bag

The bag for the maternity hospital should be packed in advance, preferably 2–4 weeks before the birth. First of all, talk to the doctors of the institution where you plan to give birth: in some places you will simply not be allowed to take your things with you and will be given a robe and towel, while in other places the rules are not so strict. This also applies to things for the baby. You also need to take into account what additional rules may apply in the maternity hospital, for example, in some places you are asked to bring things not in a bag, but in plastic bags. So, what do you need in the maternity hospital?

• You need to have an exchange card, passport and insurance policy with you. Without a card, you may be sent to an observation department or to a specialized infectious diseases maternity hospital. If you do not take a passport and insurance policy, there will be a problem with the possibility of free childbirth.
• In the list of things to take to the maternity hospital in the “Clothing” section, the main place is occupied by a robe and a nightgown, unbuttoned at the chest. You also need to take a long T-shirt or shirt in which you will give birth, washable slippers, socks, underwear, including postpartum panties and special postpartum pads (can be replaced with disposable diapers). We recommend bringing pajamas, alternatively a button-down shirt and shorts or light sweatpants, as well as a sweatshirt with a zipper. If you don't like robes, you don't need to force yourself to wear clothes that you don't like. It is worth taking earplugs and a sleep blindfold so that the light from the corridor or window does not disturb your sleep, as well as glasses or contact lenses if you wear them. If there is no corresponding ban in the maternity hospital, you can take your own pillow with you: you will be more pleasant and comfortable with it.
• What else do you need in a maternity hospital? A nursing bra with detachable cups and pads that will protect clothes from milk, as well as very useful and comfortable disposable panties for women in labor.
• A mobile phone with a charger and other gadgets you need: a tablet or e-reader, as well as headphones. Check if the hospital has Internet and whether 3G is available there; if not, download music, movies, books and games to your devices in advance so that you can relax in your free time and not worry.
• Personal hygiene products for you: toothbrush and paste, sponge, soap, shampoo, shower gel, razor, if you use one, deodorant, towels and toilet paper, wet and paper wipes, combs, mirror, chapstick, cosmetics and cream for the face, makeup remover lotion, soothing nipple cream, cotton pads and swabs, cup and spoon. If necessary, tweezers and nail scissors. What should you take with you to the maternity hospital, in addition to the above? Tea bags if you are used to drinking it, a few bottles of still water, a pen, a notepad and a bag for dirty laundry.
• For a newborn you will need a bodysuit or vests, a thin slip or rompers with a blouse, warm blouses, a knitted hat or cap and socks.
• Hygiene products for the baby: disposable diapers for newborns, diapers, oilcloth or special diapers with a waterproof coating, a blanket or blanket, moisturizing baby cream, wet wipes for children, nail clippers.
• Regarding food: you should take with you juices, kefir, cheese, dried fruits or other foods that are familiar and allowed to you. Hunger can take you by surprise, for example, at night, after feeding your baby.
• Paid childbirth allows you to get rid of additional expenses, but it is still worth taking chocolates or other nice little things for the nurses.

Sheila Kitsinger and the sacred attitude towards childbirth

The book “The Childbirth Experience,” which appeared along with the teachings of Bradley and Lamaze, belongs to the British anthropologist Sheila Kitsinger.

It includes breathing practices, self-control exercises, and massage. But its main theme is a philosophical attitude towards the process of the birth of a new life.

According to the author, childbirth is a particularly important process for a woman, which increases her social significance.

This book is intended mainly for women who need to increase their self-esteem and strengthen their personality.

It is also important to realize your responsibility to the baby. His psychological attachment to you as a mother is very high even at this stage.

Preparing the house for the arrival of the baby

Here are some things to think about in the days before giving birth:

• where will your younger children be, if any, and what help will be needed from your husband;
• transport - will you get there by your own car, which needs to be fueled and equipped with a child seat, or by taxi. Some maternity hospitals allow you to bring your own car. In addition, you can always call an ambulance;
• how the first days after childbirth will be organized, who will be able to help you, take care of the house;
• Do you have any food supplies at home? Is it possible to tirelessly cook food for your family during pregnancy, or is it better to rest? We advise you to choose the second option. It is worth warning your family in advance that they will have to cook for themselves;
• Do you have enough pillows at home to help you feed your baby comfortably?
• have you purchased nursing bras and maxi pads in advance;
• are relatives, friends and loved ones in touch who can come and help you with your child or with housework;
• How will you pamper yourself after giving birth? You deserve a gift, and it's worth thinking about it in advance, as well as what fun things you can do after returning from the hospital to take care of yourself.

"Spiritual" preparation

Spiritual midwifery is based on a worldview that determines the refusal of medical childbirth for many fundamental reasons.

Briefly, it is this: the sacrament of birth is the entrance of a new soul into this plane of existence; every birth is a spiritual experience that belongs to the people and should not be usurped by a pragmatic medical system. Hence the conclusion: for a woman’s self-determination, it is important that spiritual midwives, and not doctors, many of whom are men, be present at the birth of a child. Spiritual midwives are not professionals, but simply experienced women, because, according to proponents of this theory, only the wisdom and empathy that a woman intuitively feels at the birth of a child can make her a source of health and understanding for another woman. As a result, women who trusted spiritual midwives and refused medical care often experience severe obstetric complications leading to serious consequences.

As for the work of spiritual midwives in terms of directly preparing a woman for childbirth, they often carry out only individual preparation of future parents for childbirth, mainly in a spiritual sense, considering this more important than physical and theoretical training. Hence the significant number of births that ended unfavorably, both for the mother and the child.

The religious direction is close to spiritual obstetrics. The basis in this case can be both eastern spiritual practices and the restoration of the traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church regarding childbirth. Representatives of these directions are united by belief in predestination.

Religious traditions have many features, for example, the abundance of water during childbirth: a person is born from the waters, his first ablution and baptism take place in water, so birth into water ensures a soft birth. But the main thing is love and faith in God, prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos - the protector of all mothers giving birth, because an unborn child is a person and belongs to God, he has a soul capable of experiencing all human experiences (joy, grief, fear, etc.). Childbirth is perceived as the Miracle of the birth of the Savior, repeated through every mother. From this point of view, during childbirth the soul of the mother and the soul of the child merge and they are under the protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, so it is difficult to imagine the possibility of any medical problems arising. Unfortunately, this is not at all confirmed by real practice, which indicates that, in addition to the spiritual and ideological preparation of the mother in labor, there must also be a serious professional medical base, which in case of complications will save the lives of the mother and child.

The childbirth preparation program within the framework of a religious direction includes elements of a theoretical conversation about how childbirth proceeds, but the main emphasis is on the individual and group work of a spiritual mentor. Classes are attended by families. In addition to the mandatory program, sacred music concerts and church visits are organized.

Prenatal education is a technique based on the idea of ​​a connection between the emotional content of a child’s expectations and his subsequent development and learning: it is believed that positive maternal emotions have a beneficial effect on the development of not only sensory perception, but also the intrauterine self-awareness of the fetus. The emotional and intellectual needs of an unborn child during this period are much more primitive than those of a newborn, but they are there. He needs to be thought and talked about, and the silence or chaos in which the unborn child finds himself leaves a deep mark on his psyche.

Classes using these methods are devoted to the creation of a positively colored prenatal environment, which is formed by the so-called prenatal mentor (he leads the class) due, firstly, to the identification of the mother with the child, and secondly, thanks to the leader who creates and supports emotions of the positive spectrum - from interest and curiosity to ecstatic delight. Prenatal mentors carefully ensure that during classes or therapeutic interventions expectant mothers do not experience negative emotions (after all, if it’s good for the mother, then it’s good for the child).

Within the framework of prenatal education, as an example, it is worth highlighting the method of musical stimulation of the development of the fetus and newborn child, as well as relieving life stresses in a pregnant woman with the help of music.

It is based on the theory that the mother’s voice is a tuning fork by which the child’s world perception apparatus is tuned. The richer the intonations of the mother’s voice, the richer this worldview will be. This means that the expectant mother must sing when the child is still in the intrauterine state, since the fetus perceives all the vibrations of the mother’s body. This method uses three factors of the influence of music on the human body: psychological and aesthetic (associations, emotions, imagery); physiological (functional, with the help of which you can train individual functions of the body); vibrational (vibration, as a physical phenomenon, has a certain effect on the cells of the fetus, activating various biochemical processes in them).

This method involves not only playing music, but also breathing exercises, physical exercises, as well as communication between a pregnant woman and her child using a special device - two funnels connected by a tube, one of which is applied to the mother’s belly, the other is brought to the mother’s mouth.

The variety of domestic methods used today is also complemented by Western ideas in this area, which tend to spread in Russia - they are used by domestic schools of preparation for childbirth.

How to know when labor is approaching

You can read here what are the signs of imminent labor, but for now let’s talk about them briefly.

• When the plug (a dense clot of mucus that closes the entrance to the uterus) comes out, we can assume that the body is ready. However, it is worth knowing that after this event, it may take from several hours to several weeks before birth.
• Another sure sign is a drooping stomach. The child moved closer to the exit, and it became easier for you to breathe.
• If you are in your 37th to 39th week of pregnancy, you are most likely already familiar with Braxton Hicks “training” contractions. They are practically painless and are irregular. By contracting, the uterus prepares for the upcoming birth. As a rule, this goes away on its own - you just need to lie down, relax properly or take a shower, so there is no reason to worry. But if, in addition to false contractions, you suffer from constant abdominal pain, spotting, nausea, or visual disturbances, go to the maternity hospital without delay. During real labor, contractions become regular and occur every 5 or 10 minutes. You need to count contractions and note how large the gap is between them. This way you can determine whether labor has begun or not.

When going to the maternity hospital, you usually don’t have to rush. Childbirth is a slow process, so you will still have time to take a shower, shave your perineum and even do an enema, which will help prevent unpleasant sensations in the emergency room. This is the final stage of preparation for one of the most important events in your life.

May your birth go well!

Psychological preparation for childbirth

Fear of childbirth, like any other, causes muscle tension, which can be harmful during childbirth. Of course, the woman’s fears are justified. Pain during childbirth, tissue ruptures - such thoughts do not add joy. It is all the more important to undergo psychoprophylactic training, which will help you survive contractions and attempts.

• Contact only with pleasant people, support from loved ones. It is useful to attend classes in groups. This could be a course of lectures about the physiological component of childbirth, about childbirth without pain. It is ideal to attend such classes together with a partner, a future father;
• Pleasant music and watching light genre films - comedies, family films. Eliminate horror films, thrillers and minimize viewing crime news;
• Reading psychological literature. But attention! You don’t need to read everything, it’s better to read reviews, consult a doctor and choose one or two books on a certain topic: self-control, psychological stability, positive thinking;
• Autotraining is an important part of psychological preparation for childbirth. It is important to do this regularly, preferably in the morning and before bed. Regular training will teach you to get rid of panic in seconds and maintain emotional balance during contractions, pushing and labor. A warm (not hot!) bath with the addition of herbal infusions will help you relax before auto-training.

A woman needs to realize that childbirth is a joint activity, between her and the child. It's more difficult for a baby. According to psychologists, a person experiences the most severe stress at the moment when she first sees the light after the cozy “nest” in her mother’s belly. The cry indicates vulnerability to the new world. If the expectant mother does not work on herself, focusing on pain and fear during childbirth can prevent her from “turning on” the natural maternal instinct “as long as the baby feels good.”

It is necessary to study and understand the physiological process of pregnancy and childbirth. Without knowing what is happening to the body, it is impossible to control it. Books and magazines will help. Here, again, it is important not to “clutter” your head, exclude dubious reading, and use only specialized literature. With the right theoretical basis, it is easy to move on to physical training.

Pregnancy is a serious test for the female body. Along with the feeling of euphoria from upcoming motherhood, the period of gestation is associated with worries and stress.

But nature wisely gave the expectant mother nine months to prepare for childbirth and realize responsibility for the baby.

From the very first days, the pregnancy will be managed by a gynecologist. The development of a diet, the possibility of playing sports or physical exercise should be discussed with a specialist in order to exclude injuries and not harm the fetus. It is important that the gynecologist becomes “one of our own”; communication should be confidential, and recommendations should not raise doubts.

Pregnancy is progressing, and it seems like there is a lot of time - a whole 9 months! And it seems that there is time for both psychological preparation for childbirth and physical preparation.

• However, before you know it, half of the pregnancy has already passed and there is only a little time left before giving birth - but there is a lot to do. The bustle, the race, the preparation begins.
• You, like most expectant mothers, probably think that the main thing in preparing for childbirth is to prepare your breathing, find out what positions you can take during childbirth and how you can help yourself cope with unpleasant sensations during childbirth.
• I don’t argue – these moments are important. First of all, they are important for your peace of mind and self-confidence. If you are nervous or worried, no breathing, no postures, unfortunately, will correct the situation, and the pain will increase.

Start

You need to start preparing for childbirth by creating calm, peace and harmony in your own soul.

• One of the important factors in successful childbirth is the correct psychological state. Only with the right attitude, with an internal stable positive state, can you give birth easily.
• Another important point is that natural childbirth, which is easy and calm for both mother and baby, depends on hormonal balance. Simply put, before giving birth you need to build your life in such a way that you have a LOT of positive emotions, and anxiety, stress and worry are kept to a minimum.

Physical training can begin much earlier - literally from the 20th week of pregnancy.

I want to offer you a list of simple actions that will reduce stress, anxiety and worry in your life to a minimum. And against the backdrop of calm, serenity and relaxation, you can begin more detailed and in-depth preparation for childbirth.

The list should include:

1. medical issues: tests, paperwork, choosing a maternity hospital, choosing a doctor;
2. household chores: repairs, rearranging furniture, buying household appliances that make life easier with a child;
3. preparing a dowry for the child: clothes, first aid kit, furniture;
4. preparing things for yourself: clothes for feeding, cosmetics for the first time after childbirth, bags for the maternity hospital.

Choose from this list only the things that are PLEASANT for you, and delegate the rest to your loved ones: husband, parents, relatives, friends.

Write the dates: by what date each of the written tasks should be completed.

Most reasonable obstetricians and gynecologists recommend that a woman stop working from the moment she learns of her situation. If this is not possible, then at least take a vacation for the first 8-12 weeks of pregnancy and wait out the period of severe hormonal storms and body changes in a quiet, homely environment.

After 34 weeks of pregnancy, it is no longer advisable to work! This prevents you from adjusting to motherhood and disrupts the internal processes of preparing your body for childbirth.

Pregnancy makes adjustments not only to your lifestyle, but also to your social circle. If suddenly communication with one of your family, loved ones or friends begins to cause unpleasant emotions, minimize contacts. After the baby is born, everything will return to its place. (it is advisable to do this no later than the 32nd week of pregnancy);

Every day, find beautiful things in the space around you and admire them.

These can be paintings, reproductions - which you will find on the Internet. It could be slowly swirling snowflakes, shaggy paws of fir trees in the park, a beautiful sunset, cheerful bullfinches. Just start noticing the beautiful things around you.

Strive to please and pamper yourself, collect positive emotions and sensations. Make a list of things that you wanted to do, but you didn’t have enough time: watch a movie, meet a friend, walk in the park, buy some thing - and do it!

Many expectant mothers cannot stand classical music, but they step over themselves and literally listen with clenched teeth. Nothing good will come from such activities for you or your child.

You can listen to any music, the main thing is that you like it, so that while listening to it you get positive emotions and relax.

Use this plan to mentally prepare for childbirth, and everything will go well!

A woman’s body is designed by nature to bear and give birth to a child. The body begins natural preparation for childbirth from the beginning of pregnancy and by the time of birth, it is normally completely ready for the birth of the baby. But it is much better when not only the physical, but also the psychological readiness of a woman is at a high level.

• Various studies conducted in our country have proven that the higher the psychological readiness of the expectant mother for childbirth, the better it goes. Prepared women arrive at the maternity hospital on time, having caught the first signs of the onset of labor. They are active during contractions and during the pushing period, do not waste energy on screaming, and are determined to help their child.
• There are far fewer complications during childbirth, both for the women themselves and for their children. Talking about childbirth, a woman describes it as a process, albeit difficult, but joyful, and the moment of the birth of a child as the greatest happiness.
• Psychological readiness for childbirth also has a positive impact on the subsequent period: established mothers want to be with their child in the postpartum ward and are more successful in establishing breastfeeding.

Readiness degree

Psychologists divide the level of preparedness for childbirth into three degrees. Try to evaluate your own level of preparation, even if you are still far from giving birth.

Extremely low level of readiness. Strong worries, numerous fears (for the child’s life, for one’s own health).

The woman does not have objective information about the birth process - she mainly relies on the frightening stories of other women about how their childbirth went. Expects severe pain and suffering from childbirth. At the same time, he says that he wants to give birth quickly, “so that this will all end.”

When labor begins, she panics. During childbirth, a woman concentrates on pain, feels sorry for herself, forgetting about the child being born. She may even experience aggression towards the man who is “to blame”, as well as towards the child who makes her suffer so much.

Average level of readiness. The woman knows about childbirth and has read articles about it. She is generally positive, although somewhat uncertain. Her preparation for childbirth was not systematic: she read something somewhere, heard something from someone.

• In general, in the head of the expectant mother there is a cocktail of verified objective information and subjective feelings, memories and fears of other women. A woman can know a lot “in theory,” but during childbirth the knowledge “flies out of her head” because it is not reinforced by practice.
• Because of this, the expectant mother enters labor confidently, but at certain moments she may “fall out” of this state, panicking and focusing on pain and fear. Unfortunately, this often happens just during the most important period of pushing, when it is necessary to help the baby be born.
• Memories of childbirth are also a mixture of joyful feelings and “It was a nightmare!”
• High level of readiness. A positive attitude towards childbirth has been formed as a celebration of meeting a child. A woman works out in advance everything that can help her during childbirth, bringing breathing techniques, self-massage, and easier positions to the point of automation.

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More and more modern couples expecting the birth of a baby realize that preparing for this event goes far beyond buying a dowry. Childbirth and motherhood are responsible and serious tasks that require parents to be prepared physically, informationally, and psychologically.

The modern culture of parenthood offers pregnant couples a wide variety of opportunities to consciously and happily live through the amazing 9 months, establish mutual understanding and strong contact with the baby, and prepare perfectly for childbirth and successful motherhood. Let's look at the existing methods of preparing for childbirth, understand their essence and advantages.

Psychological preparation.

Undoubtedly, awareness and reasonable confidence in one’s abilities play a significant role in solving any life problems, especially such important ones as the birth of a person. Fears, anxiety, and panic are always bad, but during childbirth they are simply dangerous! Therefore, educating expectant parents and addressing fears is paramount to being prepared for a successful birth.

Nowadays, there is more than enough information on the topics of pregnancy and childbirth - this is good, but at the same time it is bad - the mass of disparate and contradictory information creates an “information mess” in the head, which only increases tension and fear. It is very important to systematize knowledge, complement the missing “puzzles” (and there are many of them!), and build them into a coherent “picture”. And also learn about alternatives, learn to critically perceive information and make your own right choices, based on the needs and characteristics of your family. Courses for pregnant women help future parents with this.

Understanding builds confidence, the remnants of fears disappear after discussing and debunking typical “horror stories”, watching films and working on practical skills. Understanding your role in childbirth and the ability to implement it, as well as a positive “I can do it” attitude (motivation) become the tools that help you give birth perfectly and beautifully.

Breathing techniques.

It is no secret that proper breathing plays one of the most important roles during childbirth - a complete supply of oxygen to the baby and the contracting muscles of the uterus. The functioning of all organs and systems of the body depends on oxygen. The first to suffer from a lack of this vital gas is the child’s nervous system (in particular, the brain); It is clear that her health is worth paying attention and responsibility to her breathing skills. During pregnancy and childbirth, the baby is entirely dependent on the mother, on her faithful and diligent breathing. He has no alternative way to saturate himself with oxygen!

At courses for pregnant women, mothers practice various breathing methods during childbirth and learn about the rules for their use (at what stages of childbirth, why and how). The most important of them is full breathing: a smooth, slow inhalation, gradually filling with air first the lower sections of the lungs (“into the stomach”), then the upper ones (“into the chest”), then an even slower and smoother exhalation through open and relaxed lips. This breathing during childbirth will allow you to remain calm, relax well and provide yourself and your baby with invaluable oxygen.

This breathing needs to be practiced daily. Such training not only develops the necessary skill, but also contributes to better oxygen saturation of the baby and mother’s tissues now - during training. In addition, full breathing can be used in stressful situations to calm and master your emotions.

It is also important to learn proper breathing for pushing: you need to take a quick and deep breath through your mouth, inhale “into your stomach,” and hold your breath. At the same time, approximately in the area of ​​the solar plexus or a little lower, a sort of “balloon” or “ball” is felt. This “ball” needs to be pushed down. With the correct push, the palm placed on the navel will move forward.

The difference between correct and incorrect pushing is only in the localization of the inhalation. If we inhale “into the stomach,” the effort will go down. If we inhale “into the chest”, the push will go “into the face” with absolutely the same muscle efforts. Signals that the pushing effort is incorrect are a feeling of heaviness in the face and its redness, a feeling that the stomach is moving slightly upward, and the tissues of the perineum are reflexively compressed.

And several more types of breathing: “dog” - frequent shallow breathing through the mouth, sticking out the tongue a little - will help to skip unwanted attempts; “train” - a calm deep breath, a series of short rhythmic exhalations through relaxed closed lips - will help cope with contractions; accelerated breathing is a variant of the basic full breathing, gradually accelerating as the contraction intensifies and slowing down again after it ends.

Relaxation and meditation.

With the help of these techniques, the expectant mother achieves a state of deep calm, relaxes all the muscles of her body, learns to detach herself from external stimuli, focuses on internal experiences and signals from her body, maintains and deepens contact with the baby. These skills are invaluable during childbirth, because the so-called. The “birth flow”—the ideal organic state of a woman in labor—is essentially meditation.

There are many different ways to relax; Having become acquainted with them during the courses, mom will be able to choose the most effective ones for herself. Here is the simplest plan for relaxation at home: lie down comfortably and close your eyes (you can turn on some pleasant music). Feel how your body gradually becomes heavier and warmer. Think something nice about your baby or imagine yourself “diving” towards him. Stay relaxed for 15-20 minutes, come out of this state gradually and slowly. You can practice just before bed, then the relaxation session will smoothly transition into falling asleep.

If you have absolutely no experience with relaxation or are so emotional that you have difficulty calming down, then it is worth trying a relaxation technique based on contrast. To use this technique, it is best to sit or lie on your back and get comfortable. Wander around the body with your inner gaze for some time, feel it. Then lift and tense one leg, with the toe pointed towards you. Hold this position for 10-30 seconds, all this time feeling the tension in each muscle of the raised leg. Now it is very important to suddenly and completely release the tension so that the leg “plops” into place, as if throwing it back to its original position. Feel the lightness and weightlessness in the resting muscles, this is the relaxation we are looking for. Repeat the tension-release with the second leg and with each hand (fist clenched). Listen carefully to yourself, absorb the feeling of rest and relaxation. Now try to feel your face - to do this, close your eyes, purse your lips - very, very, very much, then relax, listen to the sensations. Can be repeated several times. Now the whole body is resting, relaxation has been achieved. Each time you relax, you will succeed better and faster.

Autotraining (affirmations).

This technique doesn't require any special effort, but it works great. Affirmations are used to manage your emotions, for example, to build and strengthen self-confidence and the successful course of childbirth, to maintain calm, positive mood and maintain good spirits.

Autotraining involves repeated repetition of positive statements (affirmations) expressing confidence in the achievability of desired goals:

I am calm. My birth is successful! We cope! My baby is healthy and strong!

Rules for affirmations: - we talk about what we want, and not about what we don’t want: I’m calm! not I'm not nervous. The “not” particle is not perceived by the subconscious, so it receives the command “I’m nervous,” and this is of no use to us at all. — we’re talking about the present tense, not the future: We can handle it! and not We can handle it. For the subconscious there is no future time; for it, life is a consistent change of many “nows”. “Later” is never. We need results here and now. — the optimal number of repetitions of one statement is a number that is a multiple of 3 (3, 9, 18, 27…108)

The amazing thing about affirmations is that they work even if you don’t believe in them. And if you believe – sincerely and strongly – then the results are simply amazing! Use affirmations in everyday situations (for example, the statement “I feel good in transport during an attack of toxicosis” works great. This is not a joke, try it!), and then by the time you give birth you will become friends with them so tightly that 1-2 repetitions of your favorite phrase will be enough to bring about the desired state.

Visualization.

This is a pleasant and effective technique for managing your thoughts. Through the power of imagination, positive images are created that help achieve the desired effect on the physical level. Surely you have heard the statement that thought is material. Visualization can be a worthy illustration of this amazing phenomenon.

If I had to explain the essence of this technique in a nutshell, I would say “lucid dreaming.” When we are carried away by our thoughts into rosy dreams or terrible fears, the corresponding visual images are evoked involuntarily, as if by themselves. Often we are not aware of our power over this “film”. However, its plot is entirely in our hands. This is what we will use during childbirth, consciously creating the necessary positive images:

...the fight becomes a wave, rising to its crest and carrying forward to the desired shore-goal!

...the uterus turns into an amazingly beautiful rosebud, smoothly blossoming and releasing a small, cheerful bee

...warm waves or a gentle breeze envelop the tummy and relax and dissolve it in their bright embrace

...yes, anything, following these rules: the images should be comfortable, relaxing, symbolizing fertility (lush, round) and revealing, and these should be just images, and not attempts to represent the physiology of the birth process.

Visualization promotes excellent relaxation of the whole body and especially the abdomen, on which positive attention is concentrated; promotes more comfortable and rapid dilatation of the cervix; allows you to control your emotional state and not waste energy on unconstructive fears and worries.

The second part of the article contains techniques focused on physical training, strengthening and healing the body.

Childbirth

– difficult physical work that requires physical strength and endurance. The passive lifestyle of a “pregnant” life hardly adds these essential qualities, so it is worth looking for opportunities to prepare your body in physical education. When choosing a type of activity, be guided by your preferences, and an experienced instructor will help you choose the right exercises and loads in accordance with your stage of pregnancy and your state of health.

All types of classes for pregnant women are focused primarily on training the muscles of the body, especially those involved in childbirth, improving blood flow and metabolic processes in the expectant mother and her baby, improving the functioning of internal organs and increasing healthy tone and vigor.

Aquaculture. The properties of water are amazing: it reduces the effect of gravity on the body, promotes spontaneous relaxation, it is impossible to make sudden movements in water, and its resistance allows you to get a greater effect with less effort than on land. All these features of water perfectly meet the needs of a pregnant woman. This is why exercises in the pool are so effective in preparing the body for the successful birth of a baby.

Diving, accompanied by short breath-holds, trains the mother’s lungs and helps the baby successfully cope with the lack of oxygen that occurs during childbirth. Relaxation, which comes so easily in water, relieves excess tension, promotes mental comfort and develops the relaxation skill necessary for childbirth. Childbirth simulation games allow a pregnant woman to prepare for childbirth psychologically, experience the baby’s birth experiences and teach him to perceive the processes occurring during childbirth naturally and calmly.

Gymnastics. Suitable for those who prefer traditional dynamic loads. Complexes specially designed for pregnant women strengthen the abdominal and thigh muscles, promote stretching, strengthen the chest muscles, and relieve stress on the spine. As a rule, a complex of gymnastics for pregnant women includes breathing exercises, elements of childbirth poses and relaxation. The result of systematic exercise is elastic tissue and trained muscles, as well as the important ability to manage their tension and relaxation. This plays an important role in the efficiency of childbirth. Muscles that are not accustomed to laziness will quickly come to their senses and return to normal after the birth of the baby.

Pilates. This area of ​​fitness was created as a method of rehabilitation after injuries, but very soon gained wide popularity. Pilates is a safe exercise program aimed at stretching and strengthening muscles, increasing the elasticity of ligaments and joint flexibility, and improving coordination. The main feature of Pilates is the minimized risk of injury. The complex consists of smooth, leisurely movements that allow you to load even hard-to-reach muscles.

The result of Pilates classes is a stronger and more flexible body, harmonization of the internal processes of the body and gaining emotional balance. Pilates perfectly trains the muscles involved in childbirth, relieves stress from the lower back and shoulder girdle, and improves sleep. After childbirth, Pilates helps you get back in shape, maintain good posture and maintain breast shape. You don’t need to expect quick results from Pilates; they come gradually but surely.

Eastern traditions.

Eastern cultures have at all times been famous for their decent, reasonable attitude towards health and a holistic approach to man as an organic symbiosis of body, spirit and psyche. That’s why the techniques that came to us from the east are so harmonious and effective.

Yoga. This is a whole culture of attitude towards your body and spirit, which requires a serious attitude and the implementation of a number of rules, but at the same time it is wonderfully effective. Yoga consists of certain movements and static exercises, accompanied by special breathing. The lesson necessarily includes poses for rest, meditation and ends with relaxation. You need to exercise on an empty stomach.

Yoga harmonizes and heals the entire body, makes muscles elastic and strong, and develops excellent skills of proper breathing and relaxation. Yoga makes a person who seriously practices it strong in body and spirit, balanced and confident.

Belly dance. These beautiful feminine dances were originally created in Arab countries specifically for pregnant women, because they involve the muscles that will be involved in childbirth (the abdominal and perineal muscles). The back muscles are trained and become strong, this allows you to avoid or significantly reduce such tiresome lower back pain before and after childbirth. Smooth and harmonious dance movements have another significant advantage - they force the oblique abdominal muscles to work, which after childbirth will return the dancing mother to an excellent narrow waist. Plus, dancing is just fun!

Reflexology (on the feet). This impact on the so-called reflex zones (“points”) on the feet, which correspond to different organs and systems of the body. Reflexology methods performed only with the help of a therapist’s hands are excellent for pregnant women. Thanks to this pleasant massage, a therapeutic, preventive and strengthening effect is achieved on the body as a whole and on its individual functions. By activating the body's internal resources, colds, allergic reactions, diseases of almost all body systems, pain of unknown origin, and much more are treated. In addition, reflexology also has an impact on the psychological state: it relieves worries and disorders, complexes, stress, restores self-confidence and increases love for life! The effect on the feet gives all those effects that are so important for a pregnant woman!

Reflexology helps to normalize the condition in case of threat of miscarriage, reducing the increased tone of the uterus, with toxicosis, with fluctuations in blood pressure, edema, and poor circulation in the placenta. In 80% of cases, with the help of reflexology, it is possible to correct the incorrect position of the fetus in the womb.

Systematic reflexology sessions performed by an experienced specialist give the expectant mother improved physical and mental health, which is extremely important for the successful course of childbirth and further breastfeeding. If you decide to try doing a foot massage yourself, then follow these rules: listen to your feelings, stop if you feel discomfort in your body. Don't massage your feet too intensely. The points that require stimulation are always sensitive and slightly painful - according to these signs, they can be easily felt on the foot; after the massage begins, the painful sensation should decrease.

Qigong. This is a holistic system of knowledge and practice methods, including exercises, meditation and different breathing methods aimed at human development, his improvement and treatment, expansion of consciousness, and understanding of one’s life tasks. Qigong is a way of regulating the body’s energy, opening the way to longevity and joy of life. This system has no contraindications; an experienced teacher develops an individual program taking into account the health and physical fitness of the student.

Health-improving qigong gymnastics has a positive effect on the course of pregnancy and childbirth. Qigong helps to improve nervous activity, the respiratory and circulatory systems, relieve stress on the spine, cure toxicosis, recurrent miscarriage, threatened miscarriage, edema, vegetative-vascular dystonia, and much more. Studies have shown that after doing this exercise, the baby in the mother’s belly feels much better, its blood circulation is normalized and the level of vital energy increases.

Women who practice qigong during pregnancy do not experience difficult or protracted labor and the risk of premature birth is significantly reduced. Almost immediately after giving birth, the practice can be continued. This will help you recover quickly and easily, and avoid complications with internal organs.

A few more oriental secrets. Masters of oriental practices recommend that all expectant mothers massage the abdomen daily in a clockwise direction. During the massage, it is very important to relax deeply and focus calm, contemplative attention on the massaged surface of the abdomen and on the baby. This massage perfectly improves blood circulation in the abdominal cavity, which promotes better functioning of the placenta and provides the baby with everything necessary, and also harmonizes the circulation of energy, which is also important for the baby and his mother. It is also very useful to massage the spine. The massage should be calm and comfortable; you can ask the future dad for help.

Those mothers who are familiar with oriental practices first-hand probably know about a set of exercises with the poetic name “eight pieces of brocade.” This complex is part of the art of Wushu. During pregnancy, women continue to perform it, but with some restrictions - avoiding exercises with sudden movements and jumping.

The third part of the article contains creative ways to prepare the mind for successful childbirth and motherhood.

“Pregnant” creative activities are becoming increasingly popular – and for good reason! After all, the process of creativity in any state brings a feeling of satisfaction, promotes greater psychological freedom and the unfolding of the individual’s potential, and enriches a person’s inner world.

And during pregnancy, this benefit doubles - a powerful activation of the baby’s creative, sensory-emotional potentials is added to the mother’s self-development. In addition, joint creative activities (in “pregnant” creativity there are really 2 full-fledged participants - mother and baby) help strengthen intuition and mutual understanding, form and strengthen that subtle connection that allows the mother to unmistakably sense the conditions and needs of the baby during pregnancy, during childbirth and after birth.

Art therapy

– expressing yourself through drawing, free drawing. With the help of paints, pencils or crayons, the expectant mother transfers her moods, expectations, worries and fears, dreams and fantasies onto paper. This helps her to better understand herself, learn to be friends with her experiences, identify “pitfalls” - fears, anxiety - and eliminate them. In the process of drawing, the mother relaxes, goes deeper into herself, becomes a little like a child and often, unexpectedly for herself, creates real masterpieces: for example, the outlines of a baby suddenly appear through scattered and random strokes.

Vocalizations

– expressing yourself through sound, working with voice. Vocalization exercises contribute to the harmonization of psychological states: with the help of sound, negative emotions (tension, stress, anger, resentment) are removed and positive ones are formed and expressed (feelings of love, joy, comfort, lightness). With the help of singing, expectant mothers train their lungs and learn to control their breathing and sound. 70% of women in childbirth discover the need to sound - it is very important to do it correctly! After all, the correct – “chest”, diaphragmatic – sound perfectly relaxes, facilitates contractions and makes them incredibly effective!

Singing lullabies is a great way to communicate with your baby, strengthen contact with him, express yourself and learn voice control.

Needlework

- expressing yourself in a craft. Most often, such a craft becomes a toy or doll for a child. Expectant mothers knit or make a gift from natural materials for their beloved baby, communicating with him and putting all their tenderness into creativity. After birth, these toys become the child's favorite. And for mom, the manufacturing process brings relaxation, rest from intense intellectual work, spiritual comfort and joy.

You can add a meditative note to your creativity: before starting work, hold a small bead in your hand and fill it with your innermost desire regarding childbirth or the baby. This bead is placed in the head of a doll or toy and makes the result of creativity a kind of light talisman that can be picked up in stressful situations, taken with you during childbirth, and then given to the baby.

Fairytale therapy.

The technique of influencing a fairy tale is focused on the “inner child” living in every person. A pregnant woman, due to her mental state, is especially close to a child, which is why living fairy tales is so effective for her. Fairytale therapy is an excellent way to identify and understand the underlying causes of fears, anxieties, and neurotic states and cope with them, harmonize your view of yourself and the outside world, and gain confidence in your abilities.

The peculiarity of a fairy tale is that a person unconsciously begins to associate himself with its hero, bypassing the strict post of psychological resistance characteristic of the psyche in topics that are painful for it. Afraid of being “bad,” we push “unwanted” emotions and experiences into the darkest recesses of the psyche and are afraid to admit them even to ourselves. At the same time, they do not disappear anywhere, they accumulate, creating various problems for us. A fairy tale speaks to us about these problems and emotions, sometimes directly, sometimes allegorically, but always indirectly - through its hero. The hero is allowed to be different, experience different emotions and sometimes make mistakes by definition. By associating ourselves with it, we allow all this to happen to ourselves, thus getting to the roots of our problems.

Fairytale therapy gives pregnant women a harmonious perception of their new role and the changes associated with it, getting rid of fears of childbirth, relieving stress and anxiety, strengthening self-confidence and the successful course of childbirth.

So, there are many opportunities to prepare your body, mind and psyche for the upcoming birth. Many of the techniques described are complementary, so it will be great to try each of them. The choice of individual techniques will also be effective - not a single effort is wasted and works towards success in the birth of a new person. Let the preparation for the birth of a Miracle bring you only benefit and pleasure!

How to breathe during childbirth?

The need for proper breathing during labor is not only a guarantee that the pain will be significantly less, but also the key to a faster resolution of the burden, as well as the appearance of a healthy baby who will emerge from the mother with ease. In order to study the basics of behavior at the time of childbirth, young parents are recommended to attend special gymnastics, but if it turns out that it does not fit into your schedule, it is never too late to master the basics on your own. However, you should prepare for several months - this way you will bring the process to automation, which is sorely lacking in critical situations, and childbirth can really be classified as such.

At the time of regular contractions preceding the breaking of water and labor attempts, you need to relax and not try to reduce pain in the lower abdomen by bending forward or pulling your knees to your chest. By such actions you are cutting off the baby’s oxygen, which does not have the best effect on his condition. On the contrary, you should take the most even position and start breathing according to the following pattern: counting to 4, inhale through your nose, and starting a new count to 6, exhale through your mouth turned into a tube. Take your time, lengthen the exhalation and shorten the inhalation, count at the pace of ticking seconds.

Have the contractions become more intense? Breathing changes, becoming more frequent and easier: the mouth opens slightly, inhalation and exhalation have the same duration. You need to breathe quickly, as if you had run a marathon, but do not hold the air to restore your breathing. Short and even inhalations and exhalations. At their most acute moment, usually associated with the opening of the uterus, the breathing pattern changes again: you again need to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth, but the pace also remains fast, the breathing is not deep.

When the birth process begins, before pushing, the young mother should draw as much air as possible into the chest and abdomen through her nose, and while exhaling, through her mouth, for a minute, try to expel it through the bottom, thereby pressing on the uterus and pushing the fetus. When the baby's head is outside, breathing again becomes frequent and shallow, carried out entirely through the slightly open mouth.

Final tips for first-time mothers

How to negotiate with a doctor about childbirth? This is relevant for women who want to give birth in the most homely environment possible and entrust the child to someone they know. Regardless of whether you are seeing this specialist for a long period of time, or you decided to have contact literally before pregnancy, you need to make sure that the person will be in the city throughout your pregnancy. After this, an application is drawn up addressed to the chief physician of the maternity hospital in which you plan to give birth. Remember that payment is made after the birth - this will guarantee the absence of force majeure situations at the most inopportune moment.

The main advice that all specialists and women who have given birth give is to prepare for the important day in advance, and this applies to absolutely everything: breathing training, changing your diet, packing things for the maternity hospital, preparing all the documents, identifying the doctor and his assistants . The first birth always takes you by surprise, even if you consider yourself a balanced and unshakable person: comments from young mothers say that severe panic even froze the process of labor, as a result of which it was necessary to stimulate the birth of the child. This is something that should not be allowed: you must maintain maximum calm and understanding that the more excitement comes from you, the more difficult it is for the baby.

How to prepare for childbirth without pain and tearing

We talked about how to push correctly and when it is necessary in this article. But to reduce the threat of ruptures, you will need to prepare properly. Precisely to reduce it, because no one will give a firm guarantee in such a matter. To do this, you need to start preparing during pregnancy. It includes:

1. Diet with restriction of certain foods that affect the size of the baby;
2. Special exercises aimed at stretching the perineum;
3. Understanding the basics of proper breathing;
4. Psychological preparation that supports a woman’s positive attitude before an important event.

First of all, the expectant mother should eat only healthy foods that can enhance the production of elastin in the tissues of the perineum. But that is not all. To prevent the child from being too large, a woman should beware of using meat, especially fatty meat, flour and confectionery products, large amounts of salt and sugar, and various sweets. Vitamins and micronutrient complexes can only be taken as directed by a doctor.

If the bread contains yeast, then there is a danger of developing candidiasis, known as thrush. This unpleasant disease significantly reduces elasticity, so if you really eat bread, then only whole grain bread. Some doctors also recommend adding primrose oil, flaxseed oil, fish oil or salmon fish, which contain essential polyunsaturated acids, to your food. In addition to increasing the level of elastin, they have a beneficial effect on the cervix, which will subsequently contribute to its faster and easier opening.

A pregnant woman can also benefit from leisurely walks - from 2 to 3 hours at different times of the year. Slow walking prevents blood from stagnating in the pelvic organs.

Regular exercise is important, as it improves blood circulation, which causes increased metabolism and, accordingly, the production of elastin. To do this, you can do simple physical exercises - bending, swinging, turning, the main thing is that the blood supply to all tissues of the body is not disrupted. You can use special Kegel exercises. But intimate massage should begin no later than 7-8 months.

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After childbirth

Postpartum department

After childbirth, our patients are placed in the postpartum obstetric physiology department.

The newborn in our maternity hospital is together with the mother in the postpartum department. Pediatric neonatologists and nurses explain and help young mothers learn the rules of caring for a newborn.

The department has single wards with improved living conditions, as well as “Lux” wards, consisting of two rooms, one of which contains a mother and child, the other is intended for guests.

Every day, postpartum women receive training on caring for a newborn, hygiene of the postpartum period, and, if necessary, qualified psychological and legal assistance can be provided.

Vaccination is carried out only with written consent and in the presence of the mother. Children are vaccinated against hepatitis B (in the first 24 hours of a child’s life) and tuberculosis (weakened by the BCG-M vaccine on the 3rd day of life).

Before discharge, all women undergo an ultrasound of the uterus and a clinical blood test. Upon discharge from the maternity hospital, recommendations are given on possible methods of contraception, taking into account the nature of concomitant extragenital diseases and the method of delivery.

With a favorable course of the postpartum period in the mother and the period of early adaptation in the newborn, discharge home occurs on the 3rd day after birth, on the 5th day after cesarean section.

All children are examined according to the program during the 1st month in the pediatric center. In the maternity hospital, it is possible to observe the child under various programs in the pediatric center.

The department has experienced, caring staff who help women easily adapt to their new condition and make caring for their newborn easier.

The team of the postpartum department is a team of like-minded people, in which the exceptional friendliness and respectful attitude of the employees create a particularly warm atmosphere.

Breast-feeding

Our maternity hospital implements a program to “support and encourage breastfeeding”, “technologies” for proper feeding, and provides information about the benefits of natural breastfeeding. The baby is placed on the mother's breast immediately after birth, directly in the delivery room.

A mother's milk is ideal for her baby. It contains a large number of immunoglobulins that protect the child from infections and allergies until his own immune system begins to work at full strength.

Our maternity hospital does not provide supplemental feeding to the baby. It is prescribed only by a neonatologist if the child’s weight loss is greater than is physiologically acceptable, i.e. more than 10% per day.

Milk usually comes in 2-4 days after birth. In the first days after birth, to establish and maintain lactation, you need to drink plenty of fluids (up to 2 liters of fluid per day).

Technology of proper feeding

• The mouth is wide open and the lips are pulled back.
• The nipple is located deep in the newborn's mouth, with its tip in the very back of the mouth.
• The baby's lips and gums are pressed against the areola.
• The lower lip should be turned out. The child should take not only the nipple, but also the isola, more from below than from above.

This technique promotes better emptying of the mammary gland, eliminates injury to the nipples, and also prevents the child from swallowing air.

When breastfeeding, you can eat: meat (lean beef or pork), chicken, turkey, fish (cod or flounder), eggs (2 times a week), porridge (buckwheat, oatmeal, rice), wholemeal bread, butter or vegetable oils, milk, dairy products, vegetables, fruits (bananas, green apples).

When breastfeeding, it is not recommended to eat: red vegetables and fruits (tomatoes, red apples, strawberries, etc.), citrus fruits, sweets, candies, chocolate, seafood, spicy seasonings, garlic, onions, celery. Alcoholic drinks, carbonated drinks, coffee, cocoa.

When and how do contractions begin in first-time mothers?

The established period of gestation is 38 weeks, but few women actually give birth on the 267th day: the body is so individual that real contractions can occur both at the 34th week and after the 39th. However, the main period in which you can expect the long-awaited moment to approach is from 32 to 38 weeks. In such a situation, the child is considered fully term, and his condition usually does not cause concern to the doctor. It is also quite possible to give birth to a baby in the period from 24 to 32 weeks, but the period from 30 to 34 may require further monitoring of the newborn.

In any case, by the end of the 7th month the woman begins to prepare for the fact that the wait will soon end, and... begins to wonder how contractions will begin and when this will happen. There are fears that it will not be possible to arrive at the maternity hospital on time, and at the same time, it is not worth going there in advance - there is a high risk of either getting artificial stimulation or ending up as a patient in the pathology department. Neither one nor the other will add health to the young mother and her baby. Therefore, you should contact the maternity hospital only at the moment when you are firmly convinced that the very hour has come. How to define it? All of the points listed below are individual and will not necessarily come true completely, but they are much easier to track the progress of pregnancy.

Firstly, 21-28 days before the onset of labor, a lowering of the abdomen occurs: this is caused by a change in the position of the fetus, which goes with its head to the pelvic ring. Some people notice this factor through a change in the appearance of the abdomen, as if it has become smaller, while others, on the contrary, only based on their sensations - it becomes easier to breathe, due to the fact that the pressure on the diaphragm decreases. But the pressure on the pubic bone increases, accompanied by pain in this area, as well as in the lower back. A feeling of weak legs and weakness is also allowed, again due to pressure on the pelvic organs. An obstetrician can confirm the descent of the abdomen during an ultrasound, indicating that the fundus of the uterus has also dropped.

Secondly, at the same time, false contractions often occur, associated with tonic excitability of the uterus, which becomes dense, acutely reacting to any irritating factors by changing its tone. Primiparas perceive false contractions as real and prepare to immediately leave for the maternity hospital. Undoubtedly, the possibility of the complete absence of a “false alarm” in front of the real fact of labor urges cannot be ruled out, but one must first make sure of their genesis.

False contractions are characterized by their duration, which usually does not exceed 10 minutes, while several similar “attacks” can occur within 2-3 hours. There is absolutely no systematicity in this, and after the 1st time it may take 1-1.5 hours before the contractions recur. The sensations are the same as during real contractions - pain in the sacrum and lower abdomen, heaviness in the lower back. You can alleviate the condition if you immerse yourself while lying in a bath with warm water or walk at a measured pace - after 20-25 minutes. the condition returns to normal. At the same time, obstetricians note that false contractions are more characteristic of organisms with increased sensitivity, as well as women with an unstable nervous system, since they perceive what is happening to them more acutely.

Among the less guaranteed signs of approaching real contractions, it should be noted the release of the mucus plug, which can occur either 10-14 days before the onset of labor or 1.5-2 hours. It is characterized by the separation of brown mucus, the consistency of which is close to blood clots during menstrual cycle - this is always a sign that the cervix is ​​dilating, which means that birth is near. There may also be no movement of the fetus, which often leads first-time mothers into a state of panic: there is no need to be afraid, since the fetus has moved closer to the pelvic ring, and there is much less space for movement.

Real, regular contractions in primiparous women are almost always very painful, rhythmic, and stable. Their usual frequency is 40-45 seconds. every 5 minutes As such, there is no long moment of decay in them, so it is no longer easy to confuse them with false ones. In addition, during real contractions, the cervix dilates completely, which is accompanied by vaginal discharge. The last sign after which you must go to the maternity hospital is the loss of amniotic fluid: after this, the baby will no longer be able to stay.