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Childbirth – everything a mother-to-be needs to know.

The birth of a child is one of the most transformative and intense experiences in a woman’s life. It is a moment that is awaited with a mixture of excitement and joy, but also uncertainty and fear. Whether it’s your first pregnancy or your next one, the amount of information about childbirth can be overwhelming. How do you know that it’s already here? When to go to the hospital? What is a birth plan and do I need one? How to deal with pain?

When to go to the Hospital? Recognizing the first signs of labor

One of the most common questions mothers-to-be ask themselves is: “How will I know that this has already started?” The body usually sends clear signals announcing the impending birth. The key is to learn how to interpret them and distinguish them from symptoms that may appear a few weeks before the due date.

Predictive contractions (Braxton-Hicks) vs. labor contractions

Already in the second half of pregnancy, you may feel the so-called Braxton-Hicks contractions. These are irregular, usually painless tensions of the uterus that prepare it for the actual labor. How to distinguish them from real labor contractions?

• Braxton-Hicks contractions:
  • Irregularity: They appear at random intervals, do not intensify and become more frequent.
  • Intensity: They are usually mild, resembling abdominal tension or slight menstrual pain. They often disappear after a change of position, rest or a warm bath.
  • Location: The pain is felt mainly in the front of the abdomen.
• Labor contractions:
  • Regularity: They start out as mild, but become more frequent, longer, and stronger over time. They occur at regular, shortening intervals.
  • Intensity: The pain increases and does not go away after changing position or relaxing. It is becoming more and more absorbing.
  • Location: The pain often starts in the lower back and radiates to the front of the abdomen, girdling the entire pelvis.

Departure of the mucus plug – is it already?

A mucous plug is a thick secretion that closes the cervical canal throughout pregnancy, protecting the baby from infections. When the cervix begins to shorten and dilate, the plug may be expelled. This may look like a gelatinous, clear, yellowish or slightly blood-stained discharge. The departure of the plug is a signal that the body is preparing for childbirth, but it does not mean that labor will begin immediately. This can happen in a matter of hours, days, or even weeks. The mere departure of the spigot, without regular contractions or water drainage, is not an indication for an urgent visit to the hospital.

Amniotic fluid breakdown – how to react?

A rupture of the amniotic bladder, i.e. the loss of water, is one of the most unambiguous signals of the start of labor. Contrary to the film scenes, it is rarely a violent stream. More often, the amniotic fluid oozes slowly, which may mean that a physiological birth is approaching.

• What does amniotic fluid look like? They are colorless (or slightly straw-colored) and odorless (or with a slightly sweetish odor).
• What to do? If your amniotic fluid is the correct colour and you don’t have regular contractions yet, contact your doctor or midwife and follow their advice. It is usually recommended to arrive at the hospital within the next few hours.
• When to go immediately? If the amniotic fluid is green, brown or bloody, you should go to the hospital immediately. This may indicate hypoxia of the baby (the presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid).

Regular contractions – the golden rule of 5-1-1

For many women, the decisive moment to go to the hospital is the appearance of regular contractions. Hospitals often use the 5-1-1 rule:

• Contractions every 5 minutes (or more often).
• Lasting about 1 minute each.
• Persisting regularly for 1 hour may indicate the beginning of the second stage of labor.

This is a general guideline. If you are giving birth again, the labor may go faster, so it is worth going to the hospital earlier. Always trust your intuition – if you feel that something is wrong or you just need the support of medical staff, go to the hospital.

Preparing for childbirth – what should you know and do?

The last weeks of pregnancy are the perfect time to mentally and logistically prepare for the big day. Good preparation can significantly reduce stress and give you a sense of control.

Birth Plan – Your Roadmap in the Delivery Room

A birth plan is a document in which you write down your preferences and expectations regarding childbirth. It is a form of communication with medical personnel. What can it contain?

• Your and your companion’s data.
• Preferences regarding the environment (e.g. the period of labour). dim light, music).
• Expectations as to pain relief methods (willingness to use anesthesia or avoid pharmacology).
• Consent or lack thereof for specific medical interventions (e.g. episiotomy, administration of oxytocin during labor).
• Birth preferences (e.g., freedom of movement, water birth).
• Requests for the first moments after birth (e.g. immediate skin-to-skin contact, delayed umbilical cord cutting).

Remember that the birth plan is flexible. Your medical situation may require you to change your plans, but writing it down helps you think about your needs for a vaginal birth and is a great starting point for a conversation with your midwife.

Hospital bag – A must-have for Mother and Child

Packing your bag 3-4 weeks before your due date is a great idea to be ready for a human birth. It is worth dividing things into those that will be useful in the delivery room and those that will be useful in the postpartum ward.

• For Mom:
  • Documents: ID card, pregnancy card, test results (blood type, GBS, ultrasound, etc.) are necessary before vaginal delivery.
  • For childbirth: a comfortable shirt or T-shirt, still water, energy snacks, lipstick, hair elastic.
  • After childbirth: 2-3 nightgowns (to facilitate breastfeeding), bathrobe, slippers, shower flip-flops, nursing bras, large maternity pads, disposable mesh panties, toiletries, towels, phone charger.
• For Child:
  • Several sets of clothes (bodysuits, rompers, hats, socks).
  • Disposable diapers in the smallest size.
  • Wet wipes.
  • Cream for diaper rash.
  • A swaddle wrap or blanket can be useful after a road birth.
  • Clothes for leaving the hospital (adapted to the season).
• For an accompanying person:
  • Comfortable clothes and a change of shoes.
  • Snacks and drinks.
  • Camera/phone.

The role of a companion – support you can count on

The presence of a partner, friend or doula during childbirth is invaluable. The task of the accompanying person is to provide emotional and physical support. This can be massaging the back, giving water, helping to change position, and above all, being an “advocate” for the woman in labor and reminding her of the arrangements from the birth plan. It is worth having the accompanying person also prepare for their role, e.g. by participating in antenatal classes.

Phases of Childbirth Step by Step – The Course of Natural Childbirth

Natural childbirth is divided into four main periods. Their length is very individual and depends on many factors, m.in. the way the birth goes. whether it is the first childbirth.

Phase I – Cervical dilation period (approx. 6-12 hours or longer)

This is the longest phase of labor, which is divided into three stages, including the moment when the baby’s head begins to descend.

• Latent phase: The cervix dilates from 0 to about 4 cm. The contractions are irregular, milder. This is the time that is best spent at home, relaxing, resting and eating light meals.
• Active phase: This is the key moment when vaginal delivery becomes intense. The dilation progresses from 4 to 7 cm, which is a key stage during labor. The contractions become regular, stronger and more frequent (every 3-5 minutes). This is usually the moment when you should already be in the hospital.
• Transition phase: The shortest but most intense part. Dilation from 8 to 10 cm (full dilation). The contractions are very strong, long and frequent (every 1-2 minutes). You may feel severe pressure on your perineum, as well as mood swings ranging from discouragement to euphoria.

Phase II – Pushing Period and Birth (Approx. 30 min – 2 hours)

When the cervix reaches full dilation, the pushing phase begins. You will feel a natural, irresistible urge to push, similar to the urge to stool. Your midwife will instruct you on how and when to push during the contraction to help your baby come into the world effectively. This is a phase of great effort, but also the moment when you will see your child for the first time.

Phase III – Postpartum (placenta) (approx. 5-30 minutes)

After the baby is born, the uterus continues to contract to expel the placenta. These contractions are much weaker. The midwife may ask you to push lightly to speed up the process. This is the key moment when the medical staff assesses the completeness of the placenta.

Phase IV – Early Postpartum (Approx. 2 hours)

These are the first two hours after childbirth, which you will spend in the delivery room under close observation. This is the time for the first skin-to-skin contact, the first breastfeeding and rest. The staff will monitor your bleeding and contraction of the uterus.

Methods of relieving labor pain

Labor pain is a natural part of the process, but every woman has the right to decide how she wants to deal with it. There are many effective methods of pain relief.

Non-Pharmacological Remedies for Pain – Breathing, Movement, Water

• Breathing: Conscious, deep breathing is essential. Inhaling deeply through the nose and exhaling slowly through the mouth oxygenates you and the baby, helps you relax and reduces the perception of pain.
• Movement and vertical positions: Walking, rocking on a ball, standing on the basis of a partner – gravity helps the baby insert into the birth canal, and movement relieves pain.
• Water: A warm shower or immersion in the bathtub brings great relief, relaxes muscles and relieves back pain.
• Massage: Massage the lower back and sacrum can significantly reduce pain.
• Relaxation techniques can help relieve uterine contractions during vaginal birth. Visualization, listening to music, aromatherapy.

Epidural Anesthesia – All About Epidural

It is the most effective pharmacological method of relieving labor pain. The anesthesiologist inserts a thin catheter into the epidural space in the lower part of the spine, through which the anesthetic drug is administered.

• When is it given? Usually in the active phase of labor, with a dilation of 4-5 cm.
• Advantages: Significant or complete pain reduction allows the woman in labor to rest during the second stage of labor.
• Disadvantages: It can weaken contractions and prolong the second phase of labor, sometimes making pushing difficult. It may involve monitoring the baby’s heart rate and the mother’s blood pressure. It requires you to stay in bed, which may be necessary in the case of a cesarean section.

Other pharmacological methods

• Laughing gas (Entonox) can be used as a form of pain relief during vaginal birth. The mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide that you inhale through a mask on top of the uterine contraction can help relieve pain during labor. It works quickly, but has a milder analgesic effect than ZZO.
• Opioids (e.g. pethidine): Administered by intramuscular injection. They can cause drowsiness in the mother and baby, which is why they are used less often and mainly in the early phase of labor.

Caesarean section – what should you know?

A caesarean section is an operation during which a baby is born through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus. It can be planned or performed in an emergency mode when a natural birth becomes dangerous for the mother or the baby.

Indications for Caesarean Section – Planned and Emergency

• Elective indications: abnormal position of the baby (e.g. breech), multiple pregnancy , some maternal diseases (e.g. they may affect the course of vaginal delivery, cardiological, ophthalmological), placenta previa.
• Emergency indications: lack of progress in labor, disturbances in the baby’s heart rate, placental separation.

What does the procedure and anesthesia look like?

The procedure usually takes 30-60 minutes. The most common is spinal or epidural anesthesia, so you are aware when your baby is born and can see it right away.

Recovery after Caesarean Section

After the operation, you will stay in the hospital for a few days. The first few days can be painful, and it takes several weeks for a full recovery. It is important to take care of the surgical wound, avoid lifting and gradually return to activity.

The First Moments After Childbirth – Skin-to-Skin Contact and Postpartum

Birth is just the beginning of a new road to giving birth to a child. The first hours and weeks after childbirth are a time of intensive adaptation for the whole family.

The Magic of Skin-to-Skin Contact

If there are no medical contraindications, the newborn should go directly to your chest for at least two hours. This uninterrupted contact:

• It regulates the baby’s body temperature, breathing and heart rate.
• It stabilizes the blood sugar level of the newborn.
• It facilitates the colonization of the baby’s skin with good mother’s bacteria.
• It stimulates the production of oxytocin, which supports lactation and bonding after vaginal birth.
• It calms the baby and the mother.

What is the postpartum period and how to take care of yourself?

The puerperium is the period of 6-8 weeks after childbirth, in which your body returns to its pre-pregnancy state. It is a time of revolutionary changes: the uterus shrinks, wounds heal, and the hormonal balance stabilizes. It is also a time to learn how to take care of a child and adapt to a new role.

• Take care of yourself: Rest whenever you can. Ask for help and accept it.
• Eat healthy and drink plenty of water, especially if you’re breastfeeding.
• Be forgiving to yourself: Mood swings and “baby blues” are normal during labor. However, if you feel overwhelmed, sad and without energy for more than two weeks after birth, consult your doctor – it could be postpartum depression.

Childbirth is an extraordinary journey, and you are its main character. Remember, there is no one “right” scenario. Each birth is different and unique. Trust the strength of your body and your intuition. Surround yourself with the support of loved ones and professionals. Regardless of how your birth goes, it will culminate in a meeting with your baby – and this is the most beautiful beginning of a new story.