Prepared childbirth and real contractions

The normal delivery occurs after pregnancy, between the 37 th and 42 th week of pregnancy. You will find below the description of the different stages of childbirth. We also invite you to read our fact sheet on the role of the future mother and the future father during labor and delivery. You will find tips that will help you live this experience. Stage 1: The work Stage 2: The descent and the birth of the baby Stage 3: The expulsion of the placenta Stage 4: The recovery period Stage 1: The work The first stage begins when regular contractions are felt. It ends when the cervix is ​​fully open to let the baby out, that is, when the opening reaches 10 cm. The different stages of work can be experienced differently by each woman. These descriptions should therefore be considered only as benchmarks. The duration of this stage varies according to different factors. For example, during a first birth, the work will tend to be longer than for a second birth. On the other hand, the walking woman will tend to have a shorter stage 1 since the movement and the standing position favor the descent of the baby. Many other factors can shorten or lengthen the duration of work such as the baby's weight, position in the pelvis, pelvis shape, quality of contractions, use of certain medications, but also the psychological state of the mother or preparation for birth. The average duration of the first stage for a first delivery is 12.5 hours, but can vary from 7 to 16 hours. For a woman who has already given birth, the duration will generally be shorter. However, since the experience of delivery is unique for each woman, it is difficult to determine in advance the duration of the work. Stage 1 has 3 phases: the latency phase, the active phase and the transition phase. The latency phase During the latency phase, the contractions can be of low intensity. They sometimes look like menstrual cramps and can manifest themselves in the lower back or belly . The contractions are felt every 5 to 30 minutes and last from 30 to 45 seconds. During this phase, the neck will open up to 3 cm. This is not yet the time to leave for the place of birth, unless you have lost amniotic fluid. If in doubt, call your hospital or midwife. They will be able to guide you on the right moment to introduce you to the place of birth. During this phase of work, women experience different emotions such as some excitement or nervousness at the thought that the baby will arrive soon. Some mothers are silent, while others are playful and talk more. Most of the time, you can talk or walk during your contractions. Active phase The active phase generally lasts from 3 to 6 hours. The contractions now become longer, closer and more painful. They are felt every 2 to 5 minutes and last from 40 to 70 seconds, which allows the cervix to reach an opening of 7 cm. You may have more difficulty managing pain and you may need to be guided to maintain control during contractions. It will also be harder to keep walking or talking during contractions. Remember, however, that movement is still important to facilitate the baby's descent into the pelvis. It is during this phase that many women lose the waters. It is often during this phase that you will go to the hospital or birth house. Different non-pharmacological methods of pain relief will then be proposed by the care team (walking, massage with pressure points, various positions, birth balloon, therapeutic bath ...). Take the opportunity to tell people around you what makes you feel good during this time of painful contractions. Some women feel the need to retreat in their bubble, while others desire visual or physical contact (massage, hand in hand, support at the time of changes of position) during contractions. All of these behaviors are normal. Finally, your doctor could also suggest pharmacological methods to relieve pain if you need it. The transition phase During this last stage of dilatation, the opening of the neck reaches its maximum, ie up to 10 cm. This is the shortest phase, but the most difficult. It lasts on average a little over 3 hours for those who give birth for the first time and is very variable among women who have already given birth. The contractions are felt every 2 to 3 minutes and last from 60 to 90 seconds. It is possible that you have the impression that there is no interruption between contractions. Some women experience hot flashes while having cold hands and feet. Others have nausea and vomiting. You may feel like you're losing control, feeling restless or irritable. It can also be more difficult to focus. All this is normal. Your spouse, the people who accompany you, and the people around you will be a great help to ease your doubts about your abilities and help you overcome the pain. If you have chosen to be relieved by epidural anesthesia, you will still need staff to move and prepare for delivery. Try to encourage yourself by congratulating yourself for braving one contraction at a time. Remember that with each contraction, your baby is getting closer to you. Concentrate on your breaths and take a breathing rhythm that suits you, that makes you feel good. During this phase of labor, you may feel pressure in the rectum and increased vaginal secretions. You should not push until it is fully dilated, as it may cause the cervix to swell and slow down work. If the urge to push arises before the end of the dilation, you can pant (make "hi-hi-hi-hou"). This type of breathing helps to relieve pressure and retain the urge to push. However, it can also sometimes cause dizziness and numbness of the hands. These sensations will subside with a slower and more regular breathing. Stage 2: The descent and the birth of the baby Stage 2 begins when the cervix is ​​completely opened and ends when the baby is born. The contractions are then felt every 2 to 3 minutes and they last about 60 seconds. This stage is longer for women giving birth for the first time and can take up to 3 hours. For mothers who have already given birth, this stage lasts from 0 to 30 minutes. During this phase, you will feel an urge to push. There are 2 schools of thought about when to push. According to the first, you must listen to your body and begin to push only when the urge is felt, following the instructions of the doctor, the nurse or the midwife. If you have had an epidural anesthesia, the push may be delayed. This is the push time that is at least an hour on average. When the mother waits to feel the need to push, it has been established that: the thrust is more effective and the mother is less tired; there are fewer assisted births with forceps or a sucker; the risk of tearing the perineum is lower; the baby experiences less stress and less fatigue because he receives more oxygen. The second approach is to push as soon as complete dilatation is confirmed. This is more common in patients without anesthesia at this stage of labor. Breathing during pushing Two breathing techniques are more commonly used. The thrust exhaled. It is about pushing by letting a stream of air between the pursed lips, as to inflate a balloon. The air must come out with difficulty and the lungs do not empty completely. This technique would ensure a lower accumulation of CO2 in the blood of the mother and the baby. However, it must be well understood and practiced before the day of delivery to be well done. The thrust with air retained. It is a question of pushing while holding your breath, while directing the effort towards the lower part of the body, that is to say towards the rectum and the perineum. This technique provides more power and may be needed when the baby needs to go out faster. In both cases, you must first inhale, push for about ten seconds and then release and empty the lungs completely. This exercise can be done 2 to 3 times by contraction. Between contractions, breathing can be done in a normal and relaxed way. An effective push ensures that the mother and the baby receive enough oxygen and allows the perineum to stretch gradually. Here are some tips to push effectively: Change positions regularly, that is to say about every 3 or 4 pushes or 15 minutes. You can push prone on your side, crouching, in a semi-sitting position or on all fours. Stakeholders can guide you through position changes. Bend your elbows, grab your legs or the support bar with your hands and keep your knees aligned with the shoulders. Lower your chin towards your chest and open your mouth slightly. Release the muscles of the pelvic floor (perineum). Be sure to stay focused by putting all your efforts to get your baby down. Imagine that you want to give your baby as much space as possible. This visualization will promote the descent of the baby. Some women feel the need to grunt during the push. The grunt is an effective method because it lowers the diaphragm . This makes it possible to increase the force of expulsion directed towards the perineum. The caregiver who will accompany you will be able to inform you of the effects of your push on the descent of the baby. Express what you feel between contractions. Stakeholders will see to inform you or adjust their interventions according to your needs and those of the baby. Push actively at the same time as the contractions, in 2 or 3 sustained efforts of about ten seconds each. Do not forget to breathe well between active outbreaks. Rest and relax between contractions. If you have had an epidural, you may not feel the need to push. In this case, the speakers will tell you when to do it. Finally, when the baby's head starts to come out, the perineum swells and the skin stretches at the moment of the push. This causes a burning sensation, often called a "ring of fire". Skin-to-skin contact At birth, you will be offered to put the baby on your stomach. This skin-to-skin contact with your baby at birth and in the hours that follow promotes the discovery of your baby and secures him. Skin-to-skin contact also helps your body release oxytocin (a natural hormone). This hormone allows your uterus to contract, reducing the risk of excessive bleeding. This contact is also beneficial for the baby as it helps stabilize breathing and heart rate after delivery, while keeping it warm. Stage 3: The expulsion of the placenta After the baby is born, the uterus contracts and the placenta starts to peel off. You may be asked to push a few times to facilitate the expulsion of the placenta. This stage should be completed within 30 minutes of the baby's birth. Generally, the placenta is expelled spontaneously between 5 and 30 minutes after delivery. A hormone, oxytocin, is often given to help spontaneous expulsion of the placenta and reduce the risk of bleeding. If a certain time is exceeded or if too much bleeding puts the mother at risk, a doctor's intervention may be necessary. He will then remove the placenta manually or surgically. Stage 4: The recovery period The recovery period is focused on your comfort and monitoring your general condition. It's a special moment for you and your baby, as you are reunited as a family for the first time. It's a time when everyone discovers the other. In the event of a tear or episiotomy , your doctor may sew the wound after delivery of the placenta. If necessary, a medication may also be injected to help your uterus contract and prevent bleeding after delivery. The nurse or midwife can also massage your uterus to keep it firm and contracted. It is possible that during this maneuver you feel some discomfort. If necessary, you can breathe as you did during work. While taking care to respect your family intimacy, professionals make sure that everything goes smoothly. The nurse will check your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, uterine status and bleeding from time to time. It will clean your perineum, place a sanitary napkin and apply ice to reduce swelling. You will be offered a clean hospital gown and a warm blanket. You will appreciate it greatly because you can feel chilly after birth. Which is completely normal. It's like after an intense exercise. It is also possible that you want to eat or drink. You have just provided a considerable physical effort. Eat according to your capacity, sips or mouthfuls at a time. You will be given time to relax and connect with your baby. It is also a good time to continue skin - to - skin contact with your baby, which will encourage breastfeeding . In fact, skin-to-skin contact may encourage the baby to take the breast within the first hour of birth. During this time, the baby is alert and stimuli such as the sight and touch of the nipple or the smell and taste of colostrum may induce him to take the breast. If your condition does not allow skin-to-skin contact, it is possible that it is done by the father or another loved one. You will be able to take your baby skin to skin later when you will be able to do it.

Some methods to trigger the birth naturally! The end of the pregnancy is here, and yet, baby still does not tip the tip of his nose! Magicmaman gives you some tips to start the birth naturally ... Dear (future) moms, the end of pregnancy is coming! This is the last stretch, the last days ... You can not wait to see the baby's face and yet ... Nothing happens, no sign suggesting a close childbirth ! It seems that baby is comfortably installed, and Pregnancy Delivery Course of delivery Some methods to trigger the birth naturall Dear (future) moms, the end of pregnancy is coming! This is the last stretch, the last days ... You can not wait to see the baby's face and yet ... Nothing happens, no sign suggesting a close childbirth ! It seems that baby is comfortably installed, and does not want to point the tip of his nose yet. While warm in your belly, he surely enjoys his last moments. Only you, you can not anymore! It is therefore time to give a little help to nature. Initiate childbirth: clean up Let's think a little ... When a mother is likely to give birth to a premature baby, doctors advocate immobilization. Then, in the opposite case, that is to say when baby is cautious about going out, a small cleaning session would be welcome. Indeed, intense and energetic physical activity should help, if not cause natural childbirth. Pregnancy Delivery Course of delivery Some methods to trigger the birth naturally! method to trigger delivery Share Pin Tweeter The end of the pregnancy is here, and yet, baby still does not tip the tip of his nose! Magicmaman gives you some tips to start the birth naturally ... Dear (future) moms, the end of pregnancy is coming! This is the last stretch, the last days ... You can not wait to see the baby's face and yet ... Nothing happens, no sign suggesting a close childbirth ! It seems that baby is comfortably installed, and does not want to point the tip of his nose yet. While warm in your belly, he surely enjoys his last moments. Only you, you can not anymore! It is therefore time to give a little help to nature. Initiate childbirth: clean up Let's think a little ... When a mother is likely to give birth to a premature baby, doctors advocate immobilization. Then, in the opposite case, that is to say when baby is cautious about going out, a small cleaning session would be welcome. Indeed, intense and energetic physical activity should help, perhaps even cause childbirth naturally. One thinks directly of grandmother's methods of washing the 4-legged floor (an ideal position to dilate the cervix), or washing your windows (having arms raised upwards is an act likely to to provoke contractions). Or to start your delivery: take a car ride Going for a car ride would be favorable for a natural release of the childbirth . Indeed, as for physical activity, the intense movements caused by the holes or bumps on the road would favor the pressure exerted by the baby's head on the cervix. Preparation for birth What is the use of birth preparation? The preparation at birth allow you to develop knowledge theoretical but also discover practical tools (postures, breathing) to facilitate the work and manage the pain of contractions during your labor , but also to better prepare the arrival of baby. preparation? The classic method: Also known as PPO (Obstetric Psycho-Prophylaxis), this method is based on theoretical sequences to help you understand pregnancy, childbirth and newborn life. The classes are always supplemented by a practical part to help you understand how to breathe during contractions, relax as much as possible and push when the time is right. Sophrology : This relaxation technique based on breathing , body relaxation and positive visualization teaches you how to promote physical and mental relaxation very close to sleep. This state of relaxation allows you to visualize in a positive way the different steps of becoming a mother, in order to gain confidence when you live these stages in reality. Prenatal yoga : Yoga is a body work that aims to achieve balance, harmony of body and mind. This technique of postures and breaths promotes stretching and muscle relaxation as well as awareness of your body physical abilities. This helps you to better position yourself in the daily to solve the ills of pregnancy (back pain, heartburn, difficulties to move ..) and actively accompany the birth of your baby. When to start the preparation? It all starts with a prenatal interview that usually takes place in the 4th month of your pregnancy , which will allow you to get to know the practice and set your preparation classes together according to your choices. Classes will begin in the 6th month of your pregnancy (about 28 weeks of amenorrhea), one class per week so that you are ready for the last month of your pregnancy. How is a course held? Classes are held in small groups of 3 moms maximum. The dads are welcome if they wish. Each class lasts 1h15: 45 minutes of discussions and discussions on a theme 30 minutes of practice according to your choice of yoga or sophrology . What are the topics covered? When to consult with the maternity : contractions, rupture of the pocket of waters, that to put in its suitcase .. Work and childbirth : chronology, what to propose to your midwife during work, sensations, positions .. Contraction management : how best to manage contractions, postures, breaths, FAQ on the epidural .. Femininity and motherhood : pregnancy, childbirth, how to prepare, our life as a woman before / after .. Baby feeding: Breastfeeding or feeding bottle according to your choice After giving birth : For you, for your baby, the necessary exams, the appointments to take, the return to the house .. The moment of birth : positions, breaths, sensations, how do you do it!