When you discover that you are pregnant, in addition to feeling pervaded by strong emotions of happiness and joy, it is important to prepare yourself physically and mentally for the time of delivery .
To fine-tune everything, the first thing to understand is what will happen when the little one decides to come into the world . In fact, it seems that being as knowledgeable as possible helps mothers-to-be to be more positive.
So, to try to be able to live this important moment in the most correct way, it is essential to be prepared and informed about different aspects, for example: choosing the structure in which you intend to give birth, how to manage pain and fears and what to put in the hospital bag.
This guide to childbirth will be useful to understand how to behave in the best possible way , pondering every choice so that this moment is lived in the most relaxing way possible by both the mother and the baby.
Let’s find out together the 10 things to know to prepare for childbirth:
1) The preparation course
One of the moments that prepares a woman to give birth to a child is the preparation course . In fact, following the lessons is very important to feel ready when the time of labor is reached. These courses, consisting of about ten lessons, are free or paid and are always taught by professionals, who will explain how to deal with labor based on the type of birth, analyze the different stages of the birth of a child and advise how to manage the newborn. when you get home. In addition, lessons will be given to learn breathing and body control techniques .
2) Natural childbirth
The time of delivery is very important, but how do you choose the most appropriate one? Obviously the doctor who will follow the pregnancy will be able to indicate if it could be natural or if a caesarean section should be used . Natural birth is a spontaneous vaginal birth and is preferable for most women. In this way, labor follows the natural rhythm of the woman and her baby, without being induced or accelerated, which can take place without anesthesia or with an epidural.
3) When is caesarean delivery necessary?
Pregnant women who decide for a caesarean , happen to make this choice for fear of the pains of childbirth but this surgical operation should be recommended only in case of real need . Even if this modality allows to program exactly the day of birth, it still involves pains, if not during labor, in the following phase and recovery times are much longer.
4) How to choose the right structure
If you choose to give birth in a natural way but have opted for an epidural, it is essential to ask the facility chosen for the birth, if anesthesia is guaranteed 24 hours a day . To obtain it, it is essential to undergo an anesthetic examination. This will rule out any complications. If you want to opt for a water birth, it is mandatory to ask the facility for everything you need before giving birth. Furthermore, to rely on the best structure, it is possible to rely on the pink badges attributed by Onda , the National Observatory on Women’s Health. On the Onda website it is possible to find information on the various services offered by hospitals .
5) What must be agreed before the birth
In addition to requiring, in the event that you opt for an epidural, that anesthesia is available 24 hours a day, it is also good to agree in advance about the practice of episiotomy and the administration of drugs . As for the cutting of the muscle band between the anus and vagina, the perineum, it is possible to agree that it is carried out only in case of actual need . The same goes for the administration of drugs , including oxytocin, which is useful for increasing contractions, and for maneuvers such as Kristeller’s . In addition, it is necessary to establish in advance whether the cut of the umbilical cord is done by the father. You can also ask fornot to be removed from the newborn in the two hours following the birth to allow “skin to skin” contact , it is also necessary to inquire if it is possible to breastfeed immediately and that no foods other than milk are given to the unborn child.
6) How to prepare the bag to take to the hospital
When you have to go to the hospital it is essential not to forget the bag at home with everything that will be needed by the mother and the future baby. But what should you put inside the bag? What do you really need? First of all, there must be all the documents and reports concerning the pregnancy . The useful clothes are: some nightgowns, a dressing gown, slippers, underwear and everything related to personal hygiene. Obviously , rompers, blankets, and some bibs and bodysuits should not be missing . Also in this case it is advisable to ask the hospital what they provide and what you need to bring in the bag.
7) How to recognize “preparatory” contractions
Another fundamental moment is precisely the one in which the contractions begin and therefore the moment of delivery is approaching. Preparing for this also means knowing when labor begins ! The clue to distinguish normal contractions from so -called “preparatory” contractions is provided by the contractions that become more and more frequent, painful, regular and with ever shorter times . They typically last thirty to sixty seconds and the pain they cause is escalating.
8) How to manage fear and pain
That childbirth is painful is a certainty but it is not equally so for all women . The first thing to keep in mind is that during labor there are professionals who will be able to help manage the pain and will recommend the most appropriate positions so as not to make too much effort . For some women, the presence of trusted people or listening to music in the delivery room may be useful for relaxation.
9) Yes or no partner present during labor?
Having a trusted person next to you during labor and at birth is very important to be calm and serene. Your partner will be able to share every moment with the expectant mother, helping her to manage fear. Therefore, the future father or someone you love is an excellent solution to face everything with more courage.
10) After childbirth: what to do and what to have
After giving birth , the first thing you will need to deal with will be the bureaucratic issues . Therefore, you will have to: declare the birth of the child and choose the pediatrician to entrust it to. For these practices it is necessary to contact both the registry office of your municipality and the ASL . In addition to the clothes and the necessary hygiene items, it will be useful to have the shuttle or car seat in the first months of life to ensure comfort and safety at every move.
