The expectant mother is counting every minute until she meets her baby. And yet it is rare to meet a pregnant woman expecting her first child who is not afraid of the birth process. In addition, acquaintances who have already given birth often do not miss the opportunity to further “intimidate” the expectant mother by talking about the terrifying pain during contractions. Let's figure out why pain occurs and how to deal with it. And in general, how to survive labor pains? What can be done to get rid of pain or at least to ease it?

Labor pains

Contractions indicate that the first stage has begun - opening. conditionally divided into three periods:

• initial (opening of the uterine pharynx is about 3-4 cm, contractions are not strong, irregular, and for many painless);
• medium (dilation 4-8 cm, contractions become more frequent, become regular, repeat every three to five minutes, accompanied by pain);
• transitional (full dilatation, 8-10 cm, contractions are frequent and strong).

If the contractions before childbirth in the initial period are easily tolerated in most cases, then later on the expectant mother will have a more difficult time. By the way, the line between the initial and middle periods is very arbitrary; often one replaces the other almost imperceptibly.

Contractions during childbirth are necessarily accompanied by pain. Pain occurs due to the fact that the uterine os opens. Thus, it is impossible to completely get rid of them. But you can make them easier.

There are factors that can affect the severity of pain during contractions:

• the first (when the expectant mother does not yet know in practice how the birth of a baby occurs, she often exaggerates the severity of the pain in her expectations, and due to worries and tension, and sometimes even panic, the pain can actually intensify);
• lack of knowledge about childbirth (the more information a woman has about this phenomenon, the less afraid and worried she is, and, accordingly, the less pain);
• painful periods (most likely, labor pains will be quite painful).

You should go to the maternity hospital when effusion occurs amniotic fluid or when contractions occur every 10 minutes.

How to survive contractions

Many people know the simple and affordable way pain management - taking anesthetics. However, it is not suitable for the expectant mother. After all, drugs have side effects that can have Negative influence for a woman in labor or her baby. How to survive contractions without resorting to painkillers?

First of all, you need to relax. Tension can increase pain. Proper breathing will also help. You need to breathe as follows: inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, counting to yourself to four, then exhale just as slowly through your mouth, counting to six. This method helps up to a certain point. When contractions have become strong and frequent, and deep breathing no longer reduces the severity of the pain, it is necessary to “change tactics.” First you start breathing deeply. When the contraction intensifies, you begin to breathe quickly and shallowly through your mouth (have you seen how dogs breathe?). The contraction ends, the pain decreases - switch to deep breathing again.

A good tip on how to get through contractions without pain is to recommend a comfortable position. It’s difficult to say which one will be optimal for you - everything is very individual. But you can’t lie on your back: this can worsen the baby’s blood supply. We bring to your attention several poses that often help women in labor reduce discomfort. You can

• lean your hands on the headboard, table, etc. and bend your lower back (you can rock your pelvis a little);
• kneel down and sway from side to side;
• stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, swaying from side to side;
• take a knee-elbow position, bending your lower back;
• lie on your side: one leg bent at the knee, the other straightened, a pillow between the legs.

You can also try walking. But if you don’t want to or feel uncomfortable doing it, don’t force yourself.

If you have a fitball, you can also use it to relieve pain. Only it should be soft enough, not fully inflated. He will help you choose a position in which you will feel most comfortable. Try sitting on it, rolling around, springing it. Or kneel and lean on the ball.

Water helps fight pain. True, not all doctors approve of a bath during contractions. Therefore, consult your doctor in advance. If he allows you to use this method, remember that the bath should not be hot! Is bathing prohibited? Then you can take a shower - this also helps.

When thinking about how to survive childbirth and labor, don’t forget that you have loved ones who are always ready to help! How can they help you? For example, distract you with conversation, provide moral support, give positive emotions. This also helps reduce pain!

The expectant mother looks forward to her child's birthday (birth) not only because she wants to see her baby, but also because she is tired of pregnancy. At the same time, a pregnant woman, especially a first-time mother, is concerned about how long labor will take and how easier it is to endure labor pains during childbirth.

A little about contractions

Labor contractions are periodic contractions of the muscles of the uterus, accompanied by pain. The average duration of contractions varies from 9-13 hours, while the pushing period ranges from 15-20 minutes.

If at the beginning of the onset of contractions the frequency between them is about half an hour, then by the time of birth the time between contractions is reduced to 2-3 minutes.

The pain of contractions also increases. At first, a pregnant woman can still endure the pain, but as the contractions become more frequent, they seem to her more and more painful each time. This is due to the fact that as it moves along the birth canal, the fetus puts more and more pressure on the woman’s pelvis.

Labor pains are quite painful, but it will be much easier to endure them if you follow a few rules. Let's look at the main phases of contractions, as well as recommendations on how to reduce pain during them.

Preparatory

This phase is considered latent, its duration is from 5 to 9 hours. In this phase, the birth canal opens. All this time the woman can stay at home. The main task during this period is to relax and save energy. During the latent phase, the cervix can dilate up to 5 cm. The duration between contractions is initially 30 minutes, and by the end of the phase it reaches 10 minutes.

What should mom do:

• Keep a contraction diary
• During contractions, breathe deeply into the stomach (inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth). The ratio of inhalation and exhalation is 1 to 2 (inhale for 3 seconds, exhale for 6 seconds)
• Lie down, relax, spend time with your husband
• Listen to music
• Implement hygiene procedures, get yourself in order. You can take a shower, the water temperature should be no more than 38-39 degrees.
• Have a snack. A small amount of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products is acceptable.
• Pack your bag for the maternity hospital

What not to do in the preparatory phase:

• Panic and randomly rush around the apartment
• Eat heavily before the maternity hospital
• Forget about Required documents to the maternity hospital

Active

During this phase, contraction intervals decrease from 10 minutes at the beginning to 3 minutes at the end. The cervix dilates by 7-8 cm and the waters drain due to the natural rupture of the bladder. Here it is important not to miss the moment and come to the maternity hospital when the intensity of contractions is at least 5 minutes.

What should mom do:

• Talk and communicate with your child
• Focus on the result, not the process
• Stroke your stomach in the direction from the waist to the navel. You can also clench your hand into a fist and, at the moment when the next contraction hits, rub it on your lower back in the area along the spine. This will help you bear the pain
• Breathe slowly and deeply, trying to inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
• Look for a comfortable position that would make it easier to endure contractions.
• Stimulate the approach of labor by walking more.

Yes, yes, do not lie in bed, but move along the corridor or the birth room. When labor pains overtake a pregnant woman standing on her feet, it is easier to endure, since the woman’s body is not relaxed, but is in some tone.

In addition, periodic movement of a woman on her feet will allow the fetus to quickly descend to the cervix, which will speed up its dilation. And, therefore, it will bring the moment of birth closer.

A pregnant woman should not be afraid that as a result of constantly being on her feet, she will become weak and will not have the strength to give birth. There will be enough strength, as Nature intended.

What not to do during the active phase:

• Sit upright on a hard surface with your entire pelvis
• Drink and eat
• Retain urination
• Self-administer painkillers
• Refuse doctors' recommendations
• Clenching and straining muscles
• Go to the maternity hospital on your own
• Screaming, being afraid, panicking

The last point may lead to the cessation of labor due to stressful situation. In addition, during screaming, air is inhaled superficially and mother and child may experience oxygen starvation.

Transitional phase (lowering)

The phase period is from 1 hour to 2 hours. In this phase, contractions last up to 2 minutes. There is pain in the sacrum, it can cause nausea, vomiting, freezing, and fever.

What should mom do:

• If you want to push, you should first call a doctor.
• If the doctor says that dilation has occurred, but it is too early to give birth, this means that the baby’s head is still high. In this case, the mother needs to push vertically during contractions.
• If the opposite situation occurs, when there is no full dilation, but you want to push, you need to stand in a knee-elbow position, thus rolling the child away in order to reduce the pressure on the perineum.

What not to do:

• Start pushing without your doctor's permission
• Squeeze your hips, stand up sharply, jump
• Push on your face and puff out your cheeks
• Holding back bowel movements due to inconvenience and shame

Positive attitude during childbirth

By talking to your child and reassuring him that everything will be fine, you put yourself in a positive mood. Follow these tips to help you ease your labor pains.

What a person has to experience is the pain of childbirth. Every woman who has become a mother is familiar with the pain that accompanies this process. And in many cases, she is not ready to become a mother again, because it is the pain of childbirth that is holding her back. What can these sensations be compared to? Yes, with nothing, because no other pain can repeat it. It is necessary to understand that labor pain is individual and depends on the physiological characteristics of each woman.

Features of different women

As noted earlier, pain during labor is individual for each woman. However, it may depend on a number of factors. Let's look at some of them:

• Physical and psychological It is advisable that before this process the woman and her husband attend courses for young parents. Here, experts will tell you how to breathe correctly during childbirth and reassure the expectant mother. It is important that her husband is also close to her so that she feels supported by him.
• Pain threshold level. It is individual for every woman. If a woman in labor is unable to tolerate pain, she is given painkiller injections.
• Difficulty during labor. Sometimes the birth process lasts only a few minutes, and sometimes it lasts several hours. This depends on the degree of dilatation of the uterus and the size of the fetus. A caesarean section may be necessary.
• Use of anesthesia. Many women decide to use this method of childbirth because the pain is practically not felt.

What does pain during childbirth resemble?

Most women who are about to give birth to their first child wonder what the pain of childbirth can be compared to. In fact, it can hardly be compared with anything. Moreover, this process is individual for each woman.

The unpleasant sensations that accompany a woman from the very beginning of labor are initially episodic. At the same time, the woman in labor feels a peak, at which the pain becomes unbearably strong, and a decline, when this feeling becomes less noticeable or disappears altogether. This phenomenon is called contractions. As a rule, contractions repeat at intervals of 30 seconds to half an hour. Their duration is approximately several minutes. The explanation for this is that the woman’s body has begun preparing for the birth of the fetus.

The birth process

What does labor pain feel like? Hard to tell. But she is very strong and unbearable. The cervix, which is normally closed, begins to gradually stretch, reaching nine to ten centimeters in diameter by the time of birth. This is necessary in order to pass the baby's head through the birth canal. As a rule, this phenomenon lasts from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the condition of the woman’s tissues.

If the process is too slow, the doctor can stimulate it. Each subsequent birth is less painful than the previous ones. Usually, the second birth lasts less than the first (provided that no more than three years have passed since it). This happens because the woman’s body still “remembers” the previous labor. It is the sensation of stretching of the cervix during contractions that is the main source of pain during childbirth. When the fetus is completely delivered, the pain disappears.

What does the science say?

Every woman fears that she will have intense and unbearable pain during childbirth. What to compare it with? No pain can replicate that experienced by the female body during labor. Although some scientific research It has been proven that the pain of childbirth is equal to breaking 20 bones. However, for most women, the pain threshold decreases due to the release of the hormone endorphin into the blood. Therefore, for some women in labor, this process occurs with minimal pain or without it at all.

Each woman can determine for herself what pain during childbirth is like. After all, each person has purely individual sensations. To make the pain less pronounced, you should not set yourself up for a bad end. Under no circumstances should you think about a bad outcome. In addition, there is no need to get hung up on what to compare the pain of childbirth with. prove that for some women, even tooth extraction is more painful.

How to relieve pain yourself

To reduce pain during childbirth, both physical and psychological preparation are necessary. During pregnancy, you need to walk as much as possible, which will strengthen the muscles of the vagina and pelvis. As a result, pain during childbirth will be significantly reduced. In addition, a pregnant woman should prepare herself in advance that the process of giving birth to a child will be painless.

Of course, pain is a companion to absolutely any childbirth, even if it takes place artificially (during operations). It doesn’t matter at all what you can compare the pain of childbirth to. The main thing is that it is not as terrible as people say. If the expectant mother understands this, the birth will be much easier.

Artificial pain reduction

Any woman shudders when she hears the phrase “pain during childbirth.” Each woman determines for herself what to compare this phenomenon with. In any case, even this thought gives me goosebumps. If a woman in labor has not been able to cope with her fears of childbirth, then the feelings of panic she experiences can lead to a weakening of labor. Therefore, doctors recommend the use

This type of pain relief is considered the safest not only for the woman, but also for the baby. However, this method of pain relief also has a drawback. It consists in the fact that the woman in labor does not feel the active period of contractions, so she cannot begin to push at the right moment. As a result, after childbirth, the vaginal muscles may be slightly torn. Therefore, when using epidural anesthesia, it is necessary to follow all the advice of the doctor delivering the baby.

Correct breathing

Pain during childbirth is the most severe, comparable to a fracture, therefore it is necessary to facilitate active labor. You need to learn proper breathing not during the birth itself, but before it. Although most women who have learned proper breathing techniques fall into panic during labor, forgetting everything they were taught. Therefore, they have to follow all the advice of the doctor, who will tell you how to breathe correctly so that the birth takes place as quickly and painlessly as possible.

How to explain to a man what labor pain is?

Explaining to a man when the active phase of labor begins and what kind of pain childbirth can be compared to is enough challenging task. What can the pain of childbirth be compared to for men? Nothing. It’s not even worth trying, they still won’t understand. It is better to make them experience this pain themselves. Fortunately, there are currently a huge number special equipment, which allows you to do this. Of course, you cannot do this against the will of the man himself. Although, if he is afraid, it means he roughly understands what pain during childbirth is. He doesn’t know what to compare it with, but he guesses that it hurts.

Pain when pushing

Despite the fact that most women note that the peak is the most severe pain occurs precisely during the period of contractions; during pushing, quite unpleasant sensations are also noted. They are not so strong due to the fact that the baby’s head, passing through the birth canal, compresses the nerve endings, which significantly reduces their sensitivity.

It’s hard to say what kind of pain childbirth can be compared to. Quite often, in women giving birth for the first time, as well as in cases of rapid and rapid labor, so-called ruptures appear. This is a violation of the integrity of the tissue as the baby’s head passes through. Quite often, doctors, anticipating the appearance of tears, perform an episiotomy. It is an artificial incision in the vaginal tissue to facilitate the exit of the baby's head, as well as to prevent ruptures. A suture placed on the area of ​​a medical incision heals much faster and causes less discomfort than a natural rupture. The pain from a rupture or cut in the perineum is practically not felt by a woman, since it is at this moment that the baby’s head compresses the nerve endings, so the sensitivity of the tissue area becomes minimal.

Every expectant mother wants her baby to be born healthy, for the birth itself to be as painless and easy as possible, for her to feel good after giving birth and to recover quickly. At competent preparation to childbirth during pregnancy, with correct actions During childbirth, such a mother already forgets about the pain in childbirth for 1-3 days and enjoys motherhood, she is overwhelmed with feelings of love and tenderness for her newborn baby.

There are 3 basic rules that will help you survive pain. I think these are the main ones you should keep in mind throughout the birth process. Even when it seems to you that you no longer have any strength at all, that you can’t stand it any longer. Try to carry these rules through the entire process, they will help you, I checked it three times. 🙂

The first rule is that you need to live one fight at a time.

What does it mean? This means, when a contraction begins, you should think like this: “Now the contraction has begun, now it is increasing, there will be a peak and then it will subside, I will begin to rest. There are a whole 2-3 minutes of rest ahead.” Those. you are only setting yourself up to survive only one contraction. You don’t think how many there were before, how many are still ahead, you live only for one fight. Wait for the peak of the contraction and immediately relax yourself completely and begin to rest. Rest as much as possible until the next contraction.

If you think differently, fuss, shout: “Oh, Lord, the contraction is starting... This is the third... How many more? Contraction!.. Contraction...” If you build up tension within yourself like this, then you will simply be overwhelmed by fear, adrenaline will be released, and instead of resting between contractions and relaxing, you will spend all your energy on fear. And then, by the time of pushing - you probably know that the process of contractions can last up to 24 hours, especially in the first birth, and this is absolutely normal - so by the time of pushing you will simply be exhausted. Although pushing, this is precisely the stage of labor when you need to put in some physical effort. Live one contraction at a time, relax as much as possible between contractions and breathe correctly. What does it mean to breathe correctly?

The second rule is about how to breathe correctly.

This means, during a contraction, slowly exhale into the tube. At the same time, you can sing along with something, purr, growl, but all this must be done calmly, slowly, saving energy. There is no need to sing or growl loudly, do it quietly. If you feel better when you purr, purr, do it in a low voice so as not to waste extra energy. Your strength will come in handy final stage childbirth

And the third rule - do not waste your energy at the very beginning of labor.

When you realize that the process has already begun, your first desire will be to run around the apartment, joyfully inform everyone that you are already giving birth, run to call your husband, mother, girlfriend or someone else. You shouldn't do all this. Prepare everything you need for the maternity hospital, place your bags close to the exit, check that all documents are collected. You can call your husband, obstetrician or doctor with whom you agreed on the birth. And then try to relax and go to sleep. Most perfect option, if you manage to fall asleep at a time when the dilation is still small, the contractions are not yet strong. If you can’t sleep, just lie down. Go out onto the balcony, take a few deep breaths. Try to relax as much as possible and lie down to rest.

Why is this so important? The birth process is quite long, especially for those who give birth for the first time. All this is not yet known to you, it is not clear how long it will last, how it will happen. Therefore, you will need strength. Your main task throughout all contractions is to preserve strength for the pushing stage. Typically, the process of dilatation up to the first 5 cm takes the longest and it is important to live through this process with the greatest economy of effort. Then the process goes much faster. It is important not to spend all your energy in the first stage of labor.

During the birth process, there comes a time when you want to isolate yourself completely from the outside world, so that you are not touched at all. You will simply withdraw into yourself. And you won’t have time to look for some beautiful picture, looking at which it becomes easier for you, to try all sorts of poses, but you will simply withdraw into yourself and even switch off for a moment between contractions and feel as relaxed as possible. At the same time, the rule of living one contraction at a time and breathing correctly will help you live next stage childbirth, when you will not actively react to what is happening in the outside world.

Partner childbirth is always a big responsibility: whether the expectant mother is accompanied by a friend, husband or one of her relatives, he should become a support and, if possible, alleviate the suffering of the woman in labor. Teachers in prenatal training courses often mention ways to alleviate a woman’s suffering due to contractions, but we decided to systematize this information.

1. Facial massage helps relieve stress and relax;

2. Remind the expectant mother to go to the toilet every hour: full bladder– this is not only very unpleasant, but also increases the feeling of contractions;

3. Place a cold compress on the mother’s neck and face or lightly moisten it with cool water;

4. If doctors do not prohibit it, you can offer the woman water and light snacks - they will help replenish the energy that the expectant mother loses during labor;

5. Help the woman in labor change her position to speed up the process of cervical dilatation. Some positions will be painful, others will provide a little respite from the pain, your task is to find best option for her;

6. During contractions, the expectant mother suffers from back pain: massage her lower back, lightly press on the sacrum. The position “on all fours” also helps to cope with pain;

7. Be there: even if during contractions a woman does not want to be massaged, a feeling of presence and support loved one very important. Encourage her with words, hold her hand;

Light shower. Many doctors agree that water perfectly relaxes muscles and relieves pain, so if there are no contraindications, you can help a woman take a warm shower;

9. Try to distract the woman from the pain: if her condition allows, talk to her, listen to her favorite music, read something interesting. Be a mediator between the woman in labor and the medical staff;

10. Remind her that soon the painful sensations will pass, and the expectant mother will be able to hold her baby in her arms - this always works.

Video: Childbirth without pain

The appearance of contractions

Many women who will become mothers for the first time are worried that they will miss the onset contractions. In the last weeks of pregnancy, false contractions are observed, which are mistaken for harbingers of labor, but real contractions cannot be confused with anything. Harbingers of contractions can be: the passage of amniotic fluid, the appearance of a mucus plug that clogs the cervix, dull pain in the hips or back. The first contractions are similar to the pain and cramps during menstruation, but soon these sensations intensify. When contractions become regular, it's time to rush to the hospital. When the situation stabilizes, the duration of contractions ranges from 40 seconds.

This is the beginning of the first stage of labor, when the cervix begins to dilate. If this is your first birth, your uterine muscles may contract for 10-12 hours, so don't be alarmed or worried. You will have a formal interview and first examination at the maternity hospital; you may be asked to take a test for the presence of protein and sugar. If your water hasn't broken yet, you can take a shower.

Video: How to survive a fight

Comfortable positions during contractions

You can relieve pain or at least get a little distraction by changing body positions - your birth partner can help you with this.

• Vertical position. Effective in the initial stages of contractions: you can lean against a wall or bed. You can sit on a chair (facing the back), leaning on a pillow. To make sitting softer, another pillow can be placed on the surface of the chair. Lower your head into your hands, breathe calmly and measuredly, spread your knees to the sides;
• Kneeling or supported position. During contractions, you can put your hands on your husband's shoulders and lean on him while standing. Ask for a relaxing massage. You can also kneel down, spread your legs, and place your hands on the pillow. Try to keep your back straight;
• "On knees". It is most convenient to take this position on a mattress: make forward movements with your pelvis, try to relax between contractions, resting your head on your hands. If you put your weight on your arms, you will reduce the back pain caused by the baby's head during cephalic presentation (it rests directly on the mother's spine). In the intervals between spasms, you can walk, your partner can massage - pressing in a circular motion on the base of the spine is especially effective;
• Movement helps to cope with the pain from contractions - you should walk at intervals, keeping your back straight, then the baby's head will rest against the cervix and the dilatation process will go faster. Try to relax during breaks, focus on breathing. Visit the restroom more often - a full bladder is not the best feeling, and it can interfere with the progress of the fetus.

Second stage of labor or pushing

For a woman, the most difficult time is the end of the first phase, contractions become long and painful, and also very frequent. At this moment, the woman needs help and support, since you may encounter tears, depression, the expectant mother may begin to feel chills or begin to fall asleep. Breathe with her, support her, wipe away the sweat. If you see that the woman in labor is cold, take care of a warm robe and socks. If you start pushing, call your midwife.

The second period is the expulsion of the fetus, so in addition to contractions, the woman in labor needs to make her own efforts, listen to the guidance of the midwife. The duration of this period is up to several hours.

Video: Breathing during contractions and pushing

Positions for the second phase of labor:

• "On knees". Gravity opens your pelvis faster, but you may feel tired quickly. It is best if your husband sits on the edge of the chair and spreads his knees, and you can sit comfortably between them and rest your hands on his thighs;
• On the knees. The position is less tiring and reduces pain. It is best to have your spouse support you to make your body more stable. If you feel tired, lean on your hands, but keep your back straight;
• Sitting on the bed. If it’s not very comfortable, surround yourself with pillows. As you begin to push, you can lower your head down and clasp your legs with your hands; do not forget to rest in the interval.

Childbirth

During this period, all the expectant mother needs is to listen to the doctors’ instructions. As soon as the baby's head appears, you will no longer need to push, relax, catch your breath. After a few contractions, the baby’s body will appear: after the little miracle is placed on the woman’s stomach, the torment is quickly forgotten. Then the baby is taken for examination: the neonatologist makes a control weighing, takes measurements, and cuts the umbilical cord.

After giving birth, women often receive an injection that increases the contractions of the uterus to help the placenta come out faster, otherwise, if you wait until it comes out naturally, you can lose a lot of blood. This issue is discussed in advance with the doctor, as is pain relief.

Childbirth is a tiring and difficult process, but all unpleasant sensations are forgotten when you hold your baby for the first time.