What manipulations are carried out before childbirth. Before childbirth: what procedures await the expectant mother
The expectant mother enters the maternity hospital with the onset of childbirth, whether it is contractions or the outpouring of amniotic fluid. However, this is only the very beginning of the process. Before a woman is in the delivery room, some more time will pass, which in the maternity hospital is devoted to various necessary procedures. Some of them can be done at home, on your own, while others are carried out only under medical supervision.
What can you do yourself
So, having felt the approach of the most important moment, you need not just pull on the first clothes that come across and urgently run somewhere. First, you should call an ambulance or call a doctor with whom a contract for childbirth has been concluded. Further, after checking whether all the things and documents are taken with you, you should, if possible, free your nails from varnish, wash off makeup from your face, take a shower, put on clean underwear and put a new pad in your panties. For those who do not want to start acquaintance with the maternity hospital, not with the most pleasant procedure, you can make an enema yourself. Only in this case, we must not forget that uterine spasms can intensify, and the process of childbirth will accelerate accordingly. In addition, before leaving, you should leave all the usual decorations at home. Now, however, doctors allow you not to remove the chain with a cross, but it’s better to just take it with you and put it on when the birth is already over.
Even the most avid motorists should still take into account that in moments of contractions it is very, very difficult, almost impossible to control yourself, and therefore, while driving, there is a risk of creating an emergency on the road. Therefore, if you go to the maternity hospital “on your own”, you must agree in advance on who will drive the car, as well as plan the route of the trip, taking into account traffic jams. In the car, it is better to take a reclining position, spreading a diaper on the seat in case of discharge of amniotic fluid. For convenience, you can take a couple of small pillows with you, which will help you move the road with more comfort. And, of course, do not forget at home a pre-prepared bag.
Yes, and you also need to remember that the first birth, as a rule, lasts longer than the next, so this feature should also be taken into account when planning your departure to the hospital.
In the waiting room of the maternity hospital
The first thing to do in the reception area is to change into a bathrobe and slippers. It would be nice to know in advance whether the conditions of stay in a particular institution allow their own clothes and shoes, or if you need to put on official ones. All things given out in the maternity hospital (robe, nightgown, slippers) are perfectly clean and are changed regularly.
While the expectant mother is changing clothes, the nurse writes down all her data. To do this, she needs to provide documents: a passport and an exchange card, an insurance and pension policy, a birth certificate (these documents are required if the birth is planned in a public institution). After that, the woman in labor should be weighed, measure her height and the volume of the outer dimensions of the pelvis, examine the skin for the presence of fungal and infectious diseases, measure temperature, blood pressure and check for signs of a cold. Those who are all right can give birth in the physiological department. If any problems are found or the documents are not in order, the woman will be sent to the observation department. This is required for prevention purposes, so that if she has infectious disease and not put healthy patients at risk of infection.
Not the most pleasant procedures
We have already said that the first thing a woman in labor is doing an enema. Previously, this procedure was mandatory. The question of why to do such an unpleasant procedure as an enema before childbirth worries many pregnant women no less than the birth itself. Firstly, a cleansed intestine ensures normal labor activity, from contractions to direct attempts and the birth of a baby. The body, as a rule, independently cleanses the intestines before childbirth, but it is useful to help it. Secondly, the sensation of an attempt is similar to the sensation during the act of defecation, which is associated with irritation of the rectal receptors at the birth of a baby and leads to a corresponding reaction of the body. Therefore, an enema will help to focus all the forces on the birth of a child and make childbirth a more comfortable and aesthetic process.
Another controversial procedure is the shaving of pubic and perineal hair. On the one hand, to disinfect this area, it is treated with a special bacteriological liquid. On the other hand, after childbirth, an examination of the perineum is required for the absence of tears, and it is more hygienic to do this in the absence of hair. In addition, sometimes during childbirth there is a need for an episiotomy, and the golden rule of medicine says that any tears and cuts, even the smallest ones, should be sewn up only on a clean surface of the skin so that healing is as fast as possible.
On-duty doctor's examination
The expectant mother, who entered the maternity hospital, will have a conversation with the doctor on duty. After studying the exchange card, he will ask a few questions about how the pregnancy proceeded, whether there were any diseases or complications during this period, he will ask when the contractions began and how often they repeat, whether the waters broke, when and what was the last dose food.
After that, the specialist will conduct a vaginal examination. This is necessary to determine the degree of disclosure and the condition of the cervix, which allows you to understand whether labor has really begun. The doctor will assess the height of the baby's head and its position, listen to the fetal heartbeat, and assess the strength of the contractions. All these studies are necessary for a preliminary prediction of childbirth.
The doctor will also tell you about exactly how childbirth occurs. He will calm the woman, tell you how to behave during childbirth. There is no need to be afraid to seem ignorant: if you have any questions, you should definitely ask them to either the doctor or the midwife. This will help you feel more confident and correctly follow the recommendations of specialists at the most crucial moment.
The outcome of the conversation will be a birth plan. The woman in labor has the right to get acquainted with him in all details, to find out for herself the meaning of the procedures she does not understand, to express her wishes, which, if possible, will be taken into account. In a good maternity hospital, no one will put pressure on future mother and even in an emergency (which is not uncommon in obstetric practice) they will report what and for what purposes is being done at the moment.
Other manipulations
In addition, during the entire time from admission to the hospital until the baby is born, other manipulations may be required. For example, during the entire period of childbirth, cardiotocography is performed, which allows you to monitor the entire process and evaluate the heart rate of the fetus against the background of contractions and attempts. Two sensors are attached to the woman's stomach, one of which registers the fetal heartbeat, the other measures the intensity and duration of contractions. All data is displayed on the monitor. According to the graph, the intrauterine state of the fetus is assessed, which allows you to diagnose the beginning of hypoxia in a child in time and avoid serious complications in childbirth.
In exceptional cases - for example, if there is a danger of a deviation from the normal course of childbirth - the expectant mother is placed with a catheter for intravenous administration of drugs, if necessary. For example, with fetal hypoxia, weakness of labor activity, it is necessary to correct the complications that have arisen in time, which makes it possible in many situations to avoid emergency caesarean section.
All these procedures are done some time before the baby is born, that is, in the first stage of labor. And then the attempts begin directly, the result of which is the birth of a new person.
In fact, you won’t be bored during this period, because there is so much to do before giving birth!
Childbirth is the most important event in a woman's life, for which, of course, it is necessary to prepare in advance. Moreover, the concept of preparing for childbirth includes not only such an important aspect as attending courses for future parents, but also the practical side of the issue: choosing a maternity hospital, arranging a nursery, preparing the necessary documents, buying a dowry for a baby and many other necessary things.
In order not to forget anything and do everything on time, it is convenient to make a list of “good deeds” for yourself in advance. The cases and tasks that the expectant mother needs to complete before giving birth can be divided into two lists. The first will include everything that needs to be prepared directly for childbirth and the maternity hospital. The second list will be important things that need to be done before the birth of the child, because then they may not have enough time and energy.
Preparing for childbirth
Choice of maternity home. This issue should be approached in advance and with all seriousness. It is desirable that the maternity hospital is located not far from home and meets your expectations of comfort. The selection criteria can also be positive reviews and recommendations from friends. Be sure to consult with the doctor who manages your pregnancy: with some features of the course of pregnancy (Rh-conflict - the production of antibodies in the body of a Rh-negative pregnant woman while carrying a fetus that has a positive Rh factor, which leads to the destruction of its red blood cells, perceived as foreign; multiple pregnancy) or the presence of concomitant diseases (for example, diabetes, hypertension) you need to choose a maternity hospital with the appropriate specialization. It is important to form your own idea of the maternity hospital; To do this, you can call the nearest maternity hospital and personally clarify the key points:
- Nursing Specialization.
- The presence of children's intensive care.
- Conditions of stay in the antenatal, maternity and postnatal departments (number of beds in the ward, availability of a shower and toilet, additional amenities).
- Possibility of partner delivery and visits in the postpartum ward.
- Joint or separate stay with the child in the postpartum department.
- The possibility of concluding a contract and choosing a doctor.
- Things and documents necessary for hospitalization.
- Dates of preventive treatment ("wash") of the maternity hospital.
Based on the results of such a “survey”, one or several maternity hospitals you like the most, you need to go to each of them and see everything with your own eyes: the admissions department, discharge, photos of the departments of the maternity hospital in the reception hall, visit the tour, if they are held in the maternity hospital - this is a separate paid service, for which you do not need to conclude a contract. You can talk with doctors in the emergency department, employees of the referral service or the insurance company of the maternity hospital, if possible, with patients and their relatives. It is desirable that on these trips you are accompanied by someone close (husband, mother or giving birth to a friend). To complete the picture, you can see photos or video on the website of the maternity hospital. A personal visit will help to make a more objective impression of the maternity hospital and finally make a choice.
Unfortunately, the likelihood that you will be able to give birth in the chosen maternity hospital depends not only on your desire, but also on the number of places in the maternity hospital that may be occupied. Therefore, if you want to get to the maternity hospital you like at all costs, you should think about the contract form of obstetrics.
The conclusion of the contract for childbirth. If you decide to reserve a place in a particular maternity hospital or prefer individual birth management and more comfortable conditions of stay, you need to conclude a contract for childbirth in advance. In most maternity hospitals, a contract for commercial services is concluded from the 36th week of pregnancy; at the same time, the price, terms of validity and the range of services provided can vary significantly. Some forms of contracts provide only enhanced comfort conditions in the maternity ward and postnatal ward, but do not include individual medical care conditions. Other options include the possibility of choosing and replacing an individual doctor, observation, examination and tests in the prenatal and postnatal period. The duration of the contract also differs: only for the duration of the stay in the hospital, from payment of the contract to discharge from the maternity hospital, for a month or more from the date of conclusion of the contract (such a contract includes prenatal and postnatal monitoring of the patient's health and the birth itself). In order to select the optimal conditions, it is necessary to consider in advance possible options commercial services, call the insurance company of the maternity hospital and talk with an agent, drive up and carefully read the terms of the contract, and only then conclude a contract for childbirth.
Preparation of necessary documents. Upon admission to the maternity hospital, you will need a passport, a policy of compulsory or voluntary medical insurance and an exchange card. Ask your doctor to check that the "exchange" contains the results of all necessary tests and examinations (blood type and Rh factor, tests for HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis for each trimester, general analysis and biochemical tests of blood, urine, smear on the vaginal flora, ECG, ultrasound and CTG, examination by an ophthalmologist, dentist and therapist). An exchange card is an important medical document containing all the necessary information about the health of the expectant mother and the course of pregnancy; this medical information helps the maternity hospital doctor to get a complete picture of the patient and choose the right tactics for managing childbirth.
If you have been observed at the antenatal clinic for at least 12 weeks by the same doctor, he will provide you with a birth certificate (usually issued at 30 weeks of pregnancy), which should also be taken to the maternity hospital and presented upon admission to childbirth. When observed in a commercial clinic, a birth certificate is not issued, since it is used only in the field of free medical services. This document was created to assess the effectiveness of the provision of medical services in the structure of obstetrics within the framework of compulsory medical insurance (compulsory medical insurance). The absence of a birth certificate should not give the expectant mother a reason for concern: it does not affect the choice and hospitalization in the maternity hospital. If there is no birth certificate upon admission to childbirth, it can be issued at the maternity hospital.
Check in help desk maternity hospital, what documents may be needed additionally: sometimes the admissions department asks for photocopies of the passport and insurance policy. If a partner birth is planned, it is necessary to prepare a contract for childbirth, if necessary, also clarify what tests are needed for the presence of a partner (for example, the results of fluorography and tests for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis) and their expiration date. Having prepared all the necessary documents for childbirth, put them in one file in advance and keep them in a conspicuous place so as not to look for when preparing for the maternity hospital. After the 36th week of pregnancy, it is better to carry all the listed documents with you at all times.
Collection of "disturbing bag". Everything you need to stay in the hospital should also be prepared in advance so that you don’t forget anything in the bustle of the last fees. Things for hospitalization need to be decomposed into two parts - for the maternity and postpartum wards, placing them in two clean plastic bags. Before starting the collection, once again clarify the requirements of the maternity hospital for things for hospitalization and make a separate list for each department.
In the rodblock bag, you need to put washable slippers, a bottle of non-carbonated water for rinsing your mouth, hygienic lipstick, moisturizing spray or cream, wet wipes or toilet paper; some maternity hospitals allow you to take your own clothes (robe and nightgown, cotton socks), mobile phone, player, photo and video camera. If partner delivery is planned, you need to clarify the list of things for the partner in advance and put them in the delivery bag. Your birth partner will definitely need washable slippers and clean socks; if the maternity hospital does not provide special clothing, you can take a clean T-shirt and cotton trousers or buy a disposable medical suit at the pharmacy.
For postpartum, you will need a pack of sanitary napkins, a pack of disposable panties, a pair of nursing bras, a breast pump, nipple cream, toiletries (comb, toothbrush and paste, soap, shampoo and shower gel), hair dryer and, if necessary, cosmetics. For the baby, you need to take a small package of disposable diapers and wet wipes. If the maternity hospital allows you to use your own clothes for newborns, you need to collect another bag with a dowry for the baby (according to the list recommended by the maternity hospital). Usually, for crumbs, it is recommended to take 4-5 knitted overalls and the same number of bodysuits, a pair of knitted mittens and socks, a knitted hat. You do not need to take diapers and bedding - they are provided by the maternity hospital. All items must be washed and ironed. When you're done, put a list of the things it contains in each bag to make it easier to pack before leaving the hospital.
Choice of route to the hospital. In order to avoid problems on the way to the birth, if possible, study your route to the maternity hospital in advance. Just in case, make several options for the road to the hospital, taking into account possible traffic jams and unforeseen difficulties. Take the time to drive through each route option and record the length of your journey to find the best route. Remember the exact address of the maternity hospital and the ways to get to it - in case you need to call a taxi. And of course, ask your doctor in advance and be sure to write down the phone number of the “obstetric ambulance”, because it may be necessary to call a specialized team.
What needs to be done
Dowry- one of the most important and most enjoyable things for a future mother. The concept of a child's dowry includes clothes, linen (diapers and bedding), hygiene and care products, a stroller, a car seat, a bathtub, scales, necessary furniture (for example, a crib, a changing table) and much more. Dowry collection for the baby should be taken care of before childbirth, because by the time of discharge, everything you need should already be at home. If the expectant mother is superstitious, purchases for the baby can be stored with relatives and friends until childbirth, or even in a store (some stores for mothers and babies offer storage services for purchased goods), but then the care for the delivery and preparation of the dowry falls entirely on the shoulders of relatives and is carried out in too short a time - during the stay of mother and baby in the hospital. But you need to have time to bring everything (and sometimes even buy it!), disassemble and arrange, wash, iron and sort linen and clothes ... It is better to do everything in advance and calmly, especially since preparing a dowry for a baby gives the expectant mother a lot of pleasure!
Items for discharge for mom and baby It also needs to be prepared ahead of time. For this significant event, you will need beautiful clothes and cosmetics for mom and, of course, a special dowry for the newborn. To discharge the baby from the hospital, you must use overalls. If the baby is in an envelope or blanket, then you will not be able to fix it in a child car seat, which must also be purchased for discharge. Carrying a baby in her arms in a car is very dangerous, since even with a minor accident and low speed, it will be very difficult for the mother to hold the child. Under the overalls, the newborn is put on a bodysuit or knitted overalls, a hat, socks and mittens. In addition, for the baby you need to prepare wet wipes, several disposable diapers and a couple of diapers. For yourself, you need to prepare clothes, taking into account changes in the figure: the stomach does not disappear immediately after childbirth, so outfits purchased at the beginning or middle of pregnancy are best suited. In addition, on the way home, it may be necessary to feed the baby, so it is more convenient to choose a top with a cutout or button-down. It is better to put things for discharge from the hospital in advance in a bag, label it and enclose a list of things.
Nursery equipment and house cleaning are also on the to-do list. It is necessary to discuss in advance where the baby will live for the first months of life, and it is most convenient to equip that part of the house that is destined for the role of "children's" (this can be a separate room or a place in the parents' room). First, on paper, and then - and in practice, you need to arrange a crib, a changing table, think about where the hygiene items, clothes and linen of the baby will be stored. Perhaps it will be a chest of drawers for children's things or a dedicated space in the closet. By the arrival of the newborn at home, a general cleaning should be done: you need to vacuum and wash the floors, wipe off the dust, wipe the furniture, wash the plumbing -
And this, of course, is not at all mother's worries! These responsibilities can and should be shifted to the household; however, in order for everything to be done in full, correctly and on time, it is worth preparing instructions for cleaning the house in advance.
Registration of grants and other documents associated with the birth of a child, unfortunately, it is impossible to carry out in advance. But if even before the birth you make all the necessary information, make a list of the necessary documents, write down the addresses and office hours of the organizations, the procedure for issuing benefits and other important papers will take much less time!
Visit to a beauty salon- no less important item in the list of "prenatal activities". In the first months after the birth of a child, a young mother often does not have enough time to take care of herself, so on the eve of childbirth, you can think about a comfortable haircut that does not require complex styling. In addition, in preparation for childbirth, you can get a manicure and pedicure without using nail polish and choosing a short nail length.
It's no secret that for many women the thought of an upcoming shave upon admission to the maternity hospital is unpleasant, while others experience embarrassment and embarrassment. But this can be avoided if you carry out the procedure yourself.
Why is it recommended to shave your hair before childbirth? This is necessary in order to make it easier for the midwife to control the change in skin color of the perineum during childbirth. When the fetal head erupts, there may be too much tension on the skin when it turns white. If you notice this important indicator in time, you can prevent perineal ruptures or cut tense tissues at the right time. In addition, shaving is an additional factor of disinfection, and if it is necessary to sew up the perineum after childbirth, it makes the operation more convenient for the doctor, so it allows you to hope for best result. In addition, hair removal in the perineal area will be mandatory for a planned or emergency caesarean section.
Of course, you can treat the perineum at home before sending it to the hospital. This should be done delicately, in compliance with the rules of hygiene. Otherwise, after shaving, rashes on the skin may appear (in everyday life they are called “irritation”, but from a medical point of view, this is pyoderma - the formation of small pustules at the site of micro-wounds where microbes have got). After shaving, you should not use alcohol-containing lotions: they dry the skin, provoking inflammation.
Before shaving the perineum, wash your hands with soap and warm water with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Do not forget that washing should be carried out from front to back - from the genitals to the anus. After that, the perineum should be treated with OCTINESEPT, MIRAMISTIN preparations (they do not need to be diluted). Shaving foam can be used to remove hair around the vagina and anus. Be sure to take a new blade to the machine; it can also be wiped with a cotton swab moistened with an antiseptic.
Stretch the skin slightly and gently, trying not to injure it, begin to shave the hair against their growth. Surely you will be uncomfortable doing this yourself, so ask your husband, mother or one of your friends to help. If there is no one to help, and you certainly want to carry out the procedure yourself, then a mirror that can be put on the bottom of the bath will help you out.
After the procedure, treat the skin again with a solution of the same antiseptic, blot moisture with a dry cloth (preferably sterile), you can treat the skin with an aftershave cream. To feel more comfortable in the hospital, carefully remove the hair in the armpit area in the same way.
In Western clinics, they no longer insist on mandatory shaving of the perineum, and in some domestic maternity hospitals they have also become more loyal to the reluctance of women in labor to undergo this procedure. But still, it is better to take a razor with new blades, shaving foam and aftershave cream with you to the hospital.
If the pregnant woman is "in labor", this means that the woman arrived either with contractions or with departed amniotic fluid and she is due to give birth in the next few hours. In this case, the sequence of the procedure is as follows:
- a conversation with a midwife, with a doctor on duty who fills out the documentation - a birth card;
- determining the weight of a pregnant woman;
- The pregnant woman changes into maternity hospital clothes or her own.
- A cleansing enema is given. In the event that a pregnant woman enters in the straining period, the enema is not performed, she is immediately transferred to the delivery room.
- If necessary, the genital area is treated (shaving), then a shower.
- The pregnant woman is sent to the department - physiological or observational.
If bleeding or other life-threatening conditions are detected and requiring immediate delivery, a pregnant woman can be sent to the operating room directly from the emergency room with only minimal or no treatment.
In this case, the pregnant woman is sent to the pathology department or home. The procedures that are carried out in this case are as follows:
- If the pregnant woman is not hospitalized, she is given an advisory opinion with further recommendations.
A pregnant woman may be in the pathology department, her birth may be planned, or contractions may begin at any time. In this case, she expects the following:
- CTG recording - fetal heartbeat.
- Cleansing enema and shower.
Cardiotocography (CTG)
If a woman is scheduled for a caesarean section, the procedure is the same. On the evening before, a light dinner is allowed, in the morning you can drink only a little clean water.
In the delivery room the woman is determined in one of the prenatal wards, where she will be observed, CTG monitoring of the fetal condition is carried out. The doctor clarifies the complaints, the history of the woman, studies the birth chart and, if necessary, conducts an examination on the armchair.
All the time fighting the woman is in the prenatal ward, it is also allowed to move along the corridor, take a shower (as a method of anesthesia).
With the onset of the pushing period, the woman is placed on a chair in the delivery room, the doctor monitors the condition of the fetus by heart rate (listened with a stethoscope or CTG monitor).
After the birth of the child, the birth canal is examined for rupture. For another two hours, the woman is under the close supervision of medical personnel for the timely detection of complications, after which the puerperal is transferred to the ward.
If you have an emergency or planned caesarean section, then immediately after the operation, the woman is transferred to the intensive care unit for observation - at least for two hours, most often for 12-24 hours.
What else will happen after childbirth
- after natural childbirth women stay in the postpartum department for 3-5 days, after a cesarean section - up to 10 days;
- processing of seams twice a day - perineum (during natural childbirth), postoperative scar (after caesarean section);
- the issuance of tablets - with concomitant diseases;
- installation of intravenous infusions - after preeclampsia, caesarean section, after heavy blood loss or other complications;
- if necessary, talks about breastfeeding with women, teaches how to apply a child;
- with a complicated course of childbirth, a woman may be sent for additional examinations or procedures.
Pre-discharge procedures include:
- blood and urine analysis, if necessary, a biochemical study, in-depth urinalysis;
- inspection of seams and their processing;
- vaginal examination on a chair;
- examination of the mammary glands;
- ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs.
Separately, a newborn is examined and examined. If any deviations or complications are found, the mother and child can be left for some more time in the maternity hospital. In some hospitals, in such cases, a transfer to another department is expected.
As soon as mother and baby are ready for discharge, all documents are drawn up: discharge summary, documents for the child, if necessary, and others.
Read more in our article on procedures in the hospital.
Read in this article
What happens immediately after admission to the hospital
A maternity hospital is a medical institution full of mysteries for many, because since Soviet times, it has been customary for pregnant women and women in childbirth not to let go even to their relatives from the moment of admission until discharge, but to communicate “through the window glass”. In order to feel calm and be ready for all the manipulations, it is useful to know what procedures are carried out in the maternity hospital at different stages.
Pregnant women come to the maternity hospital for two reasons:
- in the direction of the doctor of the antenatal clinic;
- alone or in an ambulance with some complaints.
If the pregnant woman is "in labor"
This means that the woman arrived either with contractions or with amniotic fluid broken and she will have to give birth in the next few hours. In this case, the sequence of procedures that will be performed upon admission to the maternity hospital are as follows:
- a conversation with the midwife, and then with the doctor on duty, who fills out the documentation - the birth card;
- examination by a doctor, listening to the fetal heartbeat;
- measuring the circumference of the abdomen and the height of the fundus of the uterus;
- determining the weight of a pregnant woman;
- measurement of blood pressure.
- The pregnant woman changes into clothes (robe, slippers, underwear) of the maternity hospital or her own - it depends on the institution.
- A cleansing enema is given. In the event that the pregnant woman arrives in the straining period, the enema is not performed, and she is immediately transferred to the delivery room.
- If necessary, the genital area is treated (shaving), then you should take a shower.
- The pregnant woman is sent to the department - physiological or observational, based on the clinical situation.
Expert opinion
Daria Shirochina (obstetrician-gynecologist)
If bleeding or other life-threatening conditions are detected and require immediate delivery, the pregnant woman can be sent to the operating room directly from the emergency room with only minimal or no treatment.
If the harbingers of childbirth or other problems
In this case, the pregnant woman is sent to the pathology department or home (for example, if she refuses hospitalization or her condition does not require inpatient care). The procedures that are carried out in this case are as follows:
- Conversation with the midwife and doctor, preparation of the necessary documentation.
- Examination on a gynecological chair.
- Measurement of weight, blood pressure, parameters of a pregnant woman.
- If the pregnant woman is not hospitalized, she is given an advisory opinion on her condition with further recommendations.
- If necessary, the woman is sent to the pathology department or the delivery room for observation.
Procedures for preparation on the day of childbirth
If a woman enters the hospital with contractions or broken waters, the algorithm of actions and all procedures before childbirth are described in the previous paragraph.
But a pregnant woman may be in the department of pathology of pregnant women and her birth may be planned, or contractions may begin at any time. In this case, she expects the following:
- Examination by the attending physician or the doctor on duty, if necessary - by the head of the department.
- Recording CTG - fetal heartbeat.
- Cleansing enema and shower.
- Transfer to an observational or physiological maternity ward.
If a woman is scheduled for a caesarean section, the procedure is the same. On the evening before, a light dinner is allowed, in the morning - you can drink only a little clean water.
Also, the pregnant woman must collect all her belongings if she had previously been in the pathology department. Some can be taken with you to the delivery room, the other will need to be handed over to the storage room.
Watch this video about preparatory procedures before childbirth:
In the delivery room
The delivery room includes an examination room (as a rule, several), prenatal wards, where women are during labor, as well as the delivery rooms (halls) themselves - they contain special chairs, a table for processing a newborn, as well as equipment and tools that may be needed during childbirth, everything is sterile, and consumables are disposable (diapers, etc.).
The delivery room also includes an operating room, where, if necessary, a woman can be sent urgently in childbirth.
After entering the delivery room, the woman is determined in one of the prenatal wards, where she will be monitored (including video), CTG monitoring of the fetal condition is carried out. The doctor, who at this time is responsible for the delivery room, clarifies the complaints, the woman's history, studies the birth chart and, if necessary, conducts an examination on the gynecological chair.
If the birth proceeds without complications, then the frequency of vaginal examinations is as follows:
- every four hours during childbirth;
- after the outflow of amniotic fluid;
- when complications are suspected.
All the time of contractions, the woman is in the prenatal ward, it is also allowed to move along the corridor, take a shower (as a method of pain relief).
With the onset of the laborious period, the issue of transferring to the delivery room itself is decided. Here, the woman is laid on a chair, the doctor monitors the condition of the fetus by heart rate (listened with a stethoscope or CTG monitor).
After the birth of the child, the birth canal is examined for rupture. If necessary, the doctor performs suturing, as well as additional manipulations. For another two hours, the woman is under the close supervision of medical personnel for the timely detection of complications. After that, the puerperal is transferred to the ward of joint stay with the baby.
If an emergency or planned cesarean section is performed, then immediately after the operation, the woman is transferred to the intensive care unit for observation - at least for two hours, most often for 12-24 hours. After that, she is also transferred to the postpartum ward.
Watch this video on how to care for a suture after a caesarean section:
What else will happen after childbirth
As soon as the doctors are confident in the stability of the woman's condition, she is transferred to the postpartum department. After natural childbirth, women stay here for 3-5 days, after a caesarean section - up to 10 days. If necessary, the period may be extended. What procedures will be performed on a woman after this depends on how her birth proceeded.
If necessary, women are interviewed about breastfeeding, teach how to apply the child correctly.
In case of a complicated course of childbirth, a woman can be sent for additional examinations or procedures (for example, physiotherapy), which are done directly in the maternity hospital.
Features before discharge from the hospital
Depending on the condition of the puerperal, the doctor determines the time of her discharge. The day before, it is necessary to undergo a minimum examination and examination. Pre-discharge procedures include the following:
- analysis of blood and urine, if necessary - a wider study, including a biochemical study, in-depth urinalysis;
- inspection of seams and their processing;
- vaginal examination on the armchair - the rate of uterine contraction, the nature of the discharge from the genital tract is determined;
- examination of the mammary glands;
Separately, a newborn is examined and examined. If the baby has any abnormalities or complications, the mother and child can be left for some more time in the maternity hospital. In some hospitals, in such cases, it is supposed to go to another department (rehabilitation) or even a children's hospital.
As soon as the mother and baby are ready for discharge, all documents are drawn up - a discharge summary, documents for the child, and others if necessary. Some of them subsequently, the woman must provide the pediatrician, the other - to the gynecologist at the place of residence.
Preparation for childbirth is universal and is carried out in all maternity hospitals, but each medical institution may have its own approaches and nuances. For example, somewhere it is allowed to visit relatives during the entire stay in the maternity hospital and even during childbirth. In others, this is strictly prohibited and even your own clothes are not allowed. Therefore, when referring to a hospital in a planned manner, you should find out in advance such nuances.
Useful video
Watch this video about the features of the postpartum period:
The expectant mother's fear of childbirth exacerbates the unknown. What will happen behind the walls of the hospital? What procedures will a pregnant woman have to go through? In our material today, we will try to open the veil of secrecy, consider all the processes in stages and convince our readers that everything is not at all as scary as it seems.
The path to the hospital
So, how do pregnant women get to the hospital? Everything is very simple. When your contractions start or your water breaks, you need to call an ambulance or come to the maternity hospital in your own family car. The main thing is to try not to drive, although there are such precedents.
Advantages of transportation by ambulance:
- with you experienced doctors;
- in the event of a traffic jam, the ambulance has the right and the opportunity to pass with the help of a flasher;
- accelerating the process of registration in the maternity hospital.
Of course, it is more comfortable to drive your own car, but if a nervous husband is nearby, this can complicate the situation.
Our mother-Shokoladnitsa tells about the advantages of personal transport : “It shakes less in your car, there are no strangers who inspire anxiety, your beloved husband is in the car, you can open the window and it doesn’t stink of gasoline and cigarettes, you can listen to music, you can look out the window, if necessary, you can stop the traffic police and it will go ahead flashing lights, but you're in your car."
The choice of transport is up to you, but the main thing in the hustle and bustle, do not forget what you and your baby need to stay in the hospital, and the passport .
Some women in labor get to the maternity hospital in advance, lying down to save , in the event that during pregnancy there were any problems or difficulties.
It's different if you have the waters broke . A child can stay in an anhydrous space for no more than 24 hours, but this is the maximum period and it is better not to allow it. With any development of events - call or to the emergency room of the maternity hospital, and you will be sure to be guided on what to do next.
Childbirth is a very individual process, each woman has it with certain characteristics. Clinic specialists ISIDA extensive experience in both natural childbirth and caesarean section. Childbirth in the clinic ISIDA- this is a complex that includes: prenatal stay, obstetric care, pain relief, care for mother and baby in the postpartum period, screening and vaccination of the newborn, if necessary - consultations of narrow specialists, nursing and treatment of the baby.
AT ISIDA constant sanitary and epidemiological monitoring of the condition of premises and equipment is carried out, disposable materials and tools are used. Excellent conditions are created in individual wards, close to home, and comprehensive service and excellent nutrition contribute to a comfortable stay for the mother before and after the birth of the baby.
ISIDA specializes in:
for the management of physiological childbirth;
- operations caesarean section;
- monitoring of mother and newborn in the postpartum period;
- providing medical care in case of complications during pregnancy and in the postpartum period;
- diagnosing diseases in children;
- nursing and treatment of children born prematurely.
Address: Kyiv, b-r Ivana Lepse, 65
tel.: 0 800 60 80 80
Reception and medical examination
After you arrive at the admissions department of the maternity hospital, the admissions nurse will start processing your paperwork . Passport data, place of residence, date of birth, existing allergic reactions, information about the current condition are entered into the history of childbirth. Then your pressure, weight and abdominal circumference will be measured, this information will also be entered in the documents. The history of childbirth is stored in the maternity hospital, the progress and outcome of delivery is recorded in it, and upon discharge, the information is transferred to an exchange card, which is given to the woman in labor.
After completing all the necessary documents to determine how dilated the cervix is, doctor will examine you . The doctor will also listen to the baby's heartbeat. Be prepared to answer questions about contractions, duration, regularity, and intensity. After examination, the doctor sends the pregnant woman to prenatal department .
Shaving before childbirth
Also in the maternity ward necessary hygiene procedures : crotch shaving and cleansing enema .
Many future mothers are afraid of such manipulations and wonder if it is possible to somehow do without such "pleasure"?
Of course, no one will kick you out of the emergency room if you don't have shaved crotch , and will not be forced to do procedures either. However, in order to avoid unpleasant questions, disputes and negativity from the medical staff, we recommend find out in advance whether you need to get rid of hair at the doctor who will take care of your birth.
Each hospital may have its own rules, and you should also take into account individual preferences your obstetrician/gynecologist. Someone can easily take birth with natural hairline, and someone considers the presence of pubic hair a factor that can interfere with labor and postpartum rehabilitation.
Our mother- Nest tells : « I’m not a fan of shaving, then everything pricks me terribly, I’m also not very friendly with waxing yet, so I won’t dare to try the innovation before giving birth. Before giving birth with older children, I did a very short intimate haircut with a trimmer without a nozzle - the plus is that it doesn’t prick any irritation and then do it quickly.
In fact, doctors do not have a unanimous opinion on this matter: someone is embarrassed aesthetic side of the issue , someone insists that pubic hair breeding ground for bacteria , and also if an episiotomy is performed during childbirth, it is better to suture the skin without hairline. Also, do not forget that after childbirth, a woman has lochia, which, in combination with hair and a seam, also represent an excellent anti-hygienic triumvirate. But at the same time, other experts insist that while shaving on the perineum microscopic cracks appear through which infection can enter the body.
Our mother, Elena_Chernenko, tells : “Of course, a short haircut is much better there than lush vegetation, and, in those maternity hospitals where I gave birth, they were oriented in this way at the stage of prenatal observation. So there is no need to shave everything bald. Regarding the enema, if the mother herself wants an enema, because, for example, there was no stool for a day, then they will do it. Purely upon request, they are not forced.
If the question "delete or keep" is not for you, you just need to decide on a way how you will do it. If before pregnancy the removal of excess hair occurred with a razor - stay true to your principles and boldly proceed to the task. Given the volume of the abdomen, it may not be as simple as it seems at first glance, but we are sure you can handle it.
If you regularly do wax depilation at home or in the salon, you can safely adhere to the usual procedures, enjoying smooth skin for 2-3 weeks. The main thing is that you feel comfortable in both cases, which we sincerely wish you.
Enema before childbirth
Now let's move on to the question of enema . Fortunately times have changed and many maternity hospitals no longer insist on the fact that an enema is a mandatory element of childbirth.
Those who are in favor of bowel cleansing before childbirth say that an enema will help a woman in labor avoid the moment when, during attempts, feces come out, staining everything around. Another pro factor is that the absence of feces in the rectum will help the baby move more freely during childbirth. However, given that nature provides natural relaxation of the intestines before childbirth , this fact can be disputed. To avoid problems in the hospital, it is better, as with the enema question, clarify in advance how it is customary in this institution to resolve this issue and what advice your attending physician will give in this regard.
Our mother-Obolonka tells
: “I was not shaved both times and I was not offered an enema. The second time, however, I myself asked: can we do it? They asked when there was a chair for the last time, if on the same day, then you can not do it.
Episio both times, but at home she shaved herself.
In some maternity hospitals, they don’t mind if a woman in labor makes herself an enema at home, on her own, and besides, it’s not necessary to pour liters of water into herself “the old fashioned way”. There are special medical enemas that are also allowed for use in the hospital.
Our mother - KaterionOK15 tells : “I spent the 2nd day at the 2nd canopy booth. There they gave enemas to everyone, but not primus. The list of speeches on the curtains had a medical enema, I bathed.
So, fortunately, we live in the 21st century, and even in maternity hospitals there are no longer any unambiguous strict rules . The expectant mother can choose how she will comfortably get to the maternity hospital - in an ambulance or in her own car. It will not be a problem to consult a doctor and find out if it is necessary during childbirth crotch shaving . If the doctor melts on this hygienic procedure, the woman in labor can decide for herself how exactly will she do the depilation : using a traditional razor, trimmer or use wax.
Question from enema also ceased to be a traditional “horror story” for pregnant women: in some maternity hospitals, enema is not done at all, in others it is allowed to clean the intestines in the traditional way at home or use special medications.
We are all different and everyone is entitled to their own decisions. The main thing for the expectant mother is the understanding that there is no reason to be afraid of any procedures before childbirth.
We wish that the delivery process goes well, the baby is born healthy, and the mother feels good!