Natural childbirth – what are its stages and how to be prepared for it

Natural childbirth can go without surprises if one acquires prior knowledge of how it goes. Despite the great excitement, it is important to prepare properly. Whether the mother-to-be will have a natural childbirth or a C-section, she needs to remember some of the most important things to do. However, it is important to make sure with the attending physician whether there are any contraindications to natural childbirth after a C-section.

Life after natural childbirth

Postpartum after natural childbirth is undoubtedly a time of great changes in a woman’s life. The body needs to regenerate after a long 9-month pregnancy. The duration of puerperium can be as long as 3 months. Even up to a week after delivery, a woman may still feel uterine contractions. The vagina after natural childbirth goes through a series of changes, leading to its contraction. This is quite a natural symptom.  Experiencing uterine contractions are especially felt by nursing mothers because the breast-sucking reflex stimulates oxytocin (the proximity hormone) responsible for, among other things. birth action. A natural ailment associated with the postpartum period is problems with the excretory system and manifests itself as trouble passing urine and stool.

What natural childbirth looks like

Women who have not yet been mothers wonder what natural childbirth is like. It consists of 4 phases culminating in the welcoming into the world of the awaited toddler. In the first phase, the pregnant woman senses gentle uterine contractions, these are called “contractions”. heraldic contractions. They are not as intense and frequent as labor contractions. They appear on average every 2 minutes. This has to do with the preparation of the cervix for dilation. When the pain becomes more intense and contractions occur more frequently it is probably a sign that the baby wants to get out into the world quickly. This stage of labor is the longest and can last up to 18 hours. Obstetricians then recommend a lot of movement: walking and gentle exercise on a ball.

Natural childbirth with  epidural (zzo) anesthesia is possible only when the anesthetic is administered at the right time – when the cervical dilation is about 4 centimeters. Usually there is also a catheter connected to the needle, through which the level of anesthesia can be dosed. When the amniotic waters leave, women usually feel a surge of energy. This is related to the “nesting” phenomenon. The baby, which comes into the world through the natural forces of its mother, is pushed out by the force of contraction of the uterine muscles and diaphragm. Pushing in the course of natural childbirth must be combined with proper breathing technique. This prevents the bursting of blood vessels in the eyeballs and face. The gynecologist, in order to prepare for natural childbirth, may decide on an episiotomy, or perineal incision. After this stage, the toddler comes into the world. The third phase of labor is also called placental. After the baby is born, the lucky mom must also give birth to the placenta. Fortunately, it is not accompanied by pain or tension. The midwife should make sure that the placenta has been expelled in its entirety. If not, a minor procedure to curettage the uterine cavity is necessary. In the last phase of labor, the baby goes through the now famous APGAR test. The gynecologist must also make sure that there was no serious damage to the woman’s reproductive tract during delivery: hemorrhages or rupture of major vessels.

See also: Should you take vitamins during pregnancy?