Content

• Steps

Towards the end of the third stage of pregnancy, your body begins to show signs that it's time for your baby to be born through labor and birth. While every birth is different and unpredictable, being well-prepared can give you more confidence in your labor and make labor as smooth as possible. When preparing for delivery, talk to your doctor about the steps and be as thoughtful as possible for the new family event.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Prepare the body for labor

1. 

   Understand the three stages of labor. How long each stage lasts may vary from woman to woman, but you'll most likely have to go through 3 stages during labor:
   • The first phase consists of the early labor phase and the active labor phase. In stage one, the uterine muscles begin to contract and loosen, dilating and opening the cervix so the baby can pass through the birth canal. Labor begins with irregular uterine contractions and lasts less than a minute. The latent phase can last from a few hours to a few days. You will then experience contractions of the uterus that are evenly spaced for about a minute. You need to go to the hospital or maternity ward when active contractions occur. You will then move on to the second stage, when the cervix is ​​completely open and ready for the baby to come out.
   • The second stage is the real stage of birth. During this stage, the cervix is ​​completely dilated and the baby follows the birth canal. So your baby is born.
   • The third stage takes place after the baby is born. You will have contractions until the placenta leaves the birth canal.

2. 

   
   
   Do Kegel exercises in addition to the daily exercises. You should maintain a daily exercise routine with light exercises throughout pregnancy, focusing on the Kelgel exercise to strengthen the pelvic muscles and ligaments. These exercises will help prepare your body for delivery.
   • Kegel exercises are done by tightening the pelvic muscles as if holding urine. Don't move your abdomen or thighs, just move your pelvic muscles.
   • Hold the muscles tight for 3 seconds, then relax for 3 seconds.
   • Initially tighten and relax muscles for 3 seconds. Gradually increase by 1 second each week until you can contract the muscles for 10 seconds.
   • Do the Kelgel exercise 10-15 times per session. Practice three or more sessions a day.

3. 

   
   
   Join her husband in prenatal classes. If your partner is making an important part in your baby's later life, you both need to take prenatal classes before the baby is born. If you are having antenatal care in the hospital, you may be offered prenatal classes by the hospital. Many health centers also offer such classes.
   • During the lessons, you will learn how to breastfeed, how to care for the baby, how to have a healthy pregnancy, and how to massage the baby.

4. 

   
   
   Ask your doctor about eating and drinking during labor. Most doctors will advise you to drink clear fluids and snacks during labor, such as a slice of toast, apple sauce, jelly, or ice cream to get the best out of your birth. However, you should avoid full and indigestible meals (do not eat barbecue or sandwiches) and only eat foods that don't upset your stomach, as you may already have colic during labor.
   • During childbirth, you should drink fluids such as low-salt chicken broth, filtered fruit juice, tea and sports drinks. You can also suck ice cubes for strength when performing breathing exercises during childbirth.
   • Some doctors may recommend drinking clear fluids only, especially if you are most likely to have a caesarean section.
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Part 2 of 2: Birth planning

1. 

   Create a birth plan with the help of your husband or doctor. While it's impossible to predict how your birth will occur, writing a birth plan can help you outline what you want to expect during labor. You should give a copy of the birth plan to your partner, the doctor and the staff at the hospital.
   • Many hospitals offer standard birth plan templates; you can fill it in and return it to let them know your wishes.

2. 

   Talk to your doctor about options for giving birth. You can decide to have your baby at home, at a hospital or a maternity ward near you. You may be confused as to where to give birth, so talk to your doctor and partner before making a decision. Above all, you should do what feels best for you and your baby's health.
   • Hospital birth is the standard delivery plan for many women. Find a hospital close to your home, choose a doctor and medical staff that make you feel comfortable and confident. Many hospitals invite mothers about to give birth on a tour of the place where they will give birth to get used to the prenatal environment.
   • A home birth is an option that can give you a comfortable passing atmosphere. However, there are a number of risks associated with home delivery. You must be careful in choosing midwives, note that home midwives in the US do not need to be certified and may not receive training. The infant mortality rate at home is three times higher than in hospital.

3. 

   Determine when to go to the hospital. If you are going to give birth in a hospital, talk about what stage you need to go to hospital. You need to go to the hospital when you begin to experience active contractions at the end of the first stage of labor.
   • The midwife should also be aware of how long you need help with home delivery. Depending on your agreement with the midwife, both sides have to determine when to expect the delivery so they will be ready to wait for you to call the midwife at home. If necessary, you can also give birth in a hospital when complications occur.

4. 

   Discuss pain relief options. Childbirth is a stressful and painful process. Your doctor will make options for pain relief and you will decide how much pain you can tolerate with or without medication. You can choose from one or more of the following:
   • An epidural: An anesthetic is injected directly into the spine and away from the bloodstream. This is safer for the baby and ensures quick pain relief too. This is the method of pain relief that many women choose to give birth. Although it may take up to 15 minutes to start working, epidural anesthesia can be done when you ask, even if your cervix is ​​not already dilated to the extent necessary. The anesthetic will numb your lower body, including the nerves in the uterus, and help relieve pain caused by uterine contractions.
   • Pudendal block: This procedure is used to relieve pain in the second stage, usually done while the baby is passing through the vagina.Your doctor may take medication if you need to use a pair or aspirate. A local anesthetic will relieve pain in the perineum or vagina, but you will still feel uterine contractions.
   • Spinal block or back anesthesia (saddle block): This pain reliever is rarely used in vaginal delivery. The anesthetic will be given in one dose just before the baby comes out if you don't want an epidural during labor but want to relieve pain while the baby is born. This is a quick-acting pain reliever that will numb while your baby is going out. During spinal anesthesia, you need to lie on your back 8 hours after giving birth.
   • Demerol: The pain reliever Demerol can be injected into the buttock or intravenously, you may be given Demerol 2 or 3 hours before birth, then 2 to 4 hours after a dose. It will not interfere with uterine contractions, and some women are given Demerol injections to make them more regular.
   • Nubain: Nubain is another pain reliever that is given as an intravenous injection. This is a synthetic opiod that does not cause general anesthesia but can relieve pain and stress.
   • Some doctors may use nitrous oxide gas (such as in a dental clinic).
   • General anesthesia (regional anesthesia): General anesthesia is rarely used during labor, but only in the case of emergency caesarean section. This method may also be needed in the case of vaginal birth to remove the baby. You will be under anesthesia during delivery, and the anesthetic will make you feel nauseous when you wake up.
   • Natural delivery (without medication): If you are concerned about taking pain relievers during labor, you may decide to have a spontaneous birth without medication. Talk to your doctor about not taking medicine during birth, or using a combination of medicine and natural birth techniques.

5. 

   Decide on your own birth environment. If your delivery is in a hospital, you should discuss your specific delivery environment requirements in the hospital delivery room. Your doctor will take note of your requirements before you give birth.
   • If you were giving birth at home, talk about your birth environment with your husband and midwife. You may decide to give birth in a bathtub or special tub for home delivery. You can also decide to use music, lighting and other relaxing elements during your time.

6. 

   Ask your doctor about possible caesarean sections. It is important to be prepared for the possibility of a cesarean section in the delivery plan. You can write: "In case it is necessary to have a cesarean section ..." Based on your condition, the doctor may recommend a cesarean section for medical reasons or prescribe an emergency cesarean section during labor. Your doctor may recommend a cesarean section if:
   • You have chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease.
   • You have an infectious disease like HIV or an active genital herpes.
   • The health of the baby may be at risk due to disease or birth defects. If the baby is too big and it is difficult to safely pass through the vagina, your doctor may recommend a cesarean section.
   • You're overweight, as obesity can cause other risk factors that require surgery.
   • The fetus is in the buttock, when the legs or buttocks come forward and cannot turn around.
   • You have had a cesarean section in previous births.

7. 

   
   
   Decide about breastfeeding right after birth. The skin-to-skin method in the first hour of birth is important for the health of the baby and for the bonding between mother and child. This is called Golden Hour, and doctors usually recommend skin-to-skin contact with your baby as soon as possible after the baby is born. You should also make a decision about breastfeeding right after your baby is born, as the hospital will fulfill your wishes.
   • Remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed during the first six months of their baby's life and continue to breastfeed for at least another 12 months. Breast milk can protect babies from infection and reduce the risk of health problems such as diabetes, obesity and asthma.
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