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Preparing a man for the birth of a child and childbirth

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 19.10.2021
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The end is near - at least, the end of pregnancy! Soon the couple will have a child and they will start! New. Family life.

A man hardly wants to be present at birth. Spouses most likely want to be ready for the birth of the child and for subsequent changes in order to know what to expect. Preparation will allow to cope with the situation most effectively.

In order to prepare with this woman for this important event, there are a number of things that are better to address now, it is better to learn about others in advance so that the spouses can think about it and discuss them. This chapter reveals some areas that may be new to men.

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Curriculums to procreation

Times change, and now most women want their spouse to be next to them, the lazhe actively helped them during childbirth. A man may be interested in how to do this (if he wants it) - it is quite possible that this is the first child of the spouses!

You will be ready for the forthcoming, if you pass the training courses for procreation. Many attend these courses together before the birth of the child. About 90% of future parents expecting the first child attend such courses, and this helps. Studies have shown that women attending childbearing courses need less medication, less delivery assistance, and they are more likely to treat a child than women who did not attend such courses. Information about the upcoming will give spouses confidence and prepare for childbirth. Prior to attending a course, a man may not believe that he can be present during the birth of his wife. After completing the course, he can understand that childbirth is what he wants to participate in!

The purpose of these courses is to provide the spouses with information that will help them prepare for the upcoming. It is believed that if the spouses are prepared for childbirth, it will be easier for both of them. A man may be uncomfortable to attend these courses. But with the beginning of the training and after he learns the mechanism of birth and finds out what he is up to, he can feel more enthusiastic about this.

trusted-source[4], [5], [6], [7]

What you need to pay attention to

In each case, the courses have their own style. The list below will help the couple understand if these courses are suitable for them as spouses.

  • The course was recommended by a doctor or a polyclinic staff.
  • On these courses the same attitude to childbirth, that of a doctor and midwives.
  • Courses begin when the spouses need it, around the 7th month of pregnancy.
  • The size of the group is small - no more than 10-12 couples, and the premises are large enough so that they can all practice (on the floor).
  • The course includes a trip to the hospital and an excursion to the maternity wards.
  • Teachers are positive (you should find someone who attended these courses and learn about this).
  • The courses are informative, interesting and tell us about birth. Pain during childbirth is not overestimated or underestimated. The idea of "ideal births" is discussed in a realistic way.
  • The courses tell about emotions and about medicine, including birth stimulation, cesarean section, epsiotomy and various methods of anesthesia.
  • The courses show videos of births and caesarean sections to help prepare for both.
  • Information is provided on the time after delivery, in particular about postpartum depression, circumcision and the choice of the method of feeding.
  • The courses have time and the opportunity to ask questions.
  • The courses are attended by doctors (anesthetists, pediatricians) and / or nurses.

If there is NO opportunity to VISIT COURSES. If a man can not find a way to join the courses, one should try to choose not too busy time (this should be talked with both the spouse and the doctor): this will give the man and his wife the opportunity to ask all the questions. If it turns out that the time for which the excursion to the maternity hospital is scheduled is too busy, it is necessary to agree on a different time. This excursion will help both spouses feel better when their child comes to be born.

REFINE PROS OF THE INSTRUCTOR. A person who leads childbearing courses (almost always a woman) is very important from the point of view of the general view of childbirth. It is important that the instructor herself gives birth. Some instructors have medical practice, such as a midwife; others do not have it at all. It is necessary to find out the qualification of the instructor.

Basic views on childbearing

Spouses may be interested in whether any of the methods of procreation described in the courses are better than others. Any of the ways can be good for the spouses, but it's better to dwell on one method. It is also important to discuss this with your doctor and find out his views on this issue. If a woman decides to give birth in a way that requires the participation of a man, and a man does not want or can not participate so much in this process, it can lead to disappointment and irritation.

Usually, 3 methods of childbearing are distinguished, divided into 3 main philosophies - Lamaz, Bradley and Grantley Dick-Read. Each of these philosophies offers its own methods and techniques.

Lamaz is the oldest technique for preparing for childbirth. In the classes of expectant mothers, they are taught how they can replace productive labor with productive ones, since supporters of this technique consider labor to be a normal, natural, healthy process. Also in the classroom they learn the techniques of relaxation and breathing to ease the pain during childbirth. Recently, couples are admitted there. Robert Bradley believed that fathers should help with childbirth, which is why so many men are present during childbirth. Courses for Bradley teach various techniques of relaxation and concentration. Great attention is paid to deep abdominal breathing to make childbirth a more pleasant process. Classes often begin with the onset of pregnancy and continue until childbirth. Women involved in Bradley usually refuse to use anesthesia during childbirth.

The Gran or Dick-Read method is a method that allows you to break the "fear-tension-pain" circle during labor with some training. These courses were the first where future fathers were allowed.

trusted-source[8], [9], [10]

Choosing courses

Begin the search for courses in childbearing should be in the middle of the second trimester of pregnancy - about the 20th week of pregnancy. About the courses you can ask. Doctor or nurse in the clinic, most likely they know about them. Friends can also be a good source of information, you can search the information in the reference books (Education for childbirth).

Most likely, it will be necessary to register there in advance. Courses usually begin with the beginning of the third trimester (around the 27th week of pregnancy). It is best to finish the training a few weeks before the expected date of birth of the child. Curriculums to procreation can take place in public organizations or universities. Most maternity hospitals also provide facilities for this, they are usually led by a midwife or nurse.

The cost of training courses for childbearing varies; the most valuable are private lessons. Some insurance companies and public programs pay this course partly or completely. This should be learned in more detail from the insurance agent.

trusted-source[11], [12], [13], [14]

Will a man help in childbirth?

Does the man plan to attend the birth of his child? If so, then he is not alone. Nowadays, many men help their spouses during childbirth and enjoy their participation in this event.

Participation in the birth of a child with a woman will not affect any of the spouses. Studies have shown that the spouses who took part in this together become emotionally closer to each other in the following months. In addition, the presence of a man can give confidence to a woman that everything will be fine. Studies have shown that if a woman is very afraid during labor, this can damage the process. The presence of a man will help to relax and give confidence.

What if a man can not do this?

Men are usually afraid of participation in childbirth. They can feel a shiver in their knees at the entrance to the delivery room or fear if they see a lot of blood. Also, a man can believe that it will be hard for him to see the pain of his wife and feel helpless. The society strongly presses on men, believing that they can not do what is very unpleasant for them. A man should understand what he can do, and discuss it with his wife. If a man is not sure that he will help his wife during childbirth, especially after childbearing courses, he should honestly tell her about it and let her know what he intends to do-wait in the corridor or sit next to her and hold her hand. Honesty will serve a man better than trying to pretend that he can do something, and then fail to do it.

What does the assistant nature do?

A good assistant at childbirth can make impressions of births positive and memorable. The key to this is to establish a good connection between the assistant and the mother in childbirth. A man should ask his wife what she wants when the fights begin to provide it to her. But we must remember that both spouses will have to think quickly. Childbirth is an adventure that contains a lot of ignorance. During childbirth, the situation can change quickly, and you will have to immediately come up with a new plan of action. Despite the fact that everyone likes to plan births, it's impossible. We must meet with the unknown, and then deal with it together.

What MUST be and WHAT THE MASTER DOES NOT HAVE TO DO. Below is a list of what the assistant should and should not do when giving birth. It should be read carefully to get acquainted with what is expected of a man. You also need to know what not to do! To this list, you can add everything that the spouses have learned in the courses of childbearing.

  • A man should be a "lawyer" of his wife, inform the staff of the hospital when it hurts or when the activity of bouts changes, prevent unwanted visitors and look for what his wife needs.
  • A man must help with fights.
  • A man should help his wife apply breathing techniques. You should know which technique is best for what stage of labor.
  • A man should listen to the midwife's advice she gives and which are based on her experience.
  • A man should think quickly. The situation can change quickly, and plans will also have to be changed.
  • A man should offer his wife ice or spraying if she loses water.
  • A man should distract his spouse, when this will be the right time.
  • A man should do everything possible to make his wife easier, and ask her what she wants.
  • A man should be invited to massage the aching back or the aching muscles of a woman.
  • A man should allow his wife to make basic decisions regarding childbirth, in particular whether she needs anesthesia.
  • A man should take a break if he needs it, but you need to be sure that the midwife knows where he is going and when he will return.
  • A man should show his wife that it is important for him to have a child by giving his wife flowers or a gift after the birth of the child and celebrating it.
  • A man must do everything. So that experiences are the best for both spouses.
  • A man should not wait too long before he takes his wife to the hospital.
  • A man should not take the woman's reaction closely, if she becomes sensitive or angry with him, this can be ignored.
  • A man should not stay in the delivery room, if it's hard for him. At this time, the staff can monitor only one patient (and this is a mother in childbirth).
  • A man should not call from the maternity ward to work and take work with him to the delivery room.
  • A man should not leave without telling anyone where he is going.
  • A man should not be too careful. It is necessary to give attention to the wife when she wants it, but if she refuses help, she should be left alone.
  • A man should not take photographs or videotape if his wife is against it.

Choosing another assistant during childbirth

Despite the fact that it is very nice for a man to help his wife during childbirth, this is not necessary. She can ask a friend or family member about it. Do not be offended if she asks someone about it.

trusted-source[15], [16], [17]

Participation of a man, if he is not an assistant at birth

Even if the couple decided that an aide to a woman at birth will not be a husband, a man can still participate in the birth of a child, though not directly. He can be in the delivery room and help, for example, in such ways:

  • watching the woman's struggles, so that both spouses observe the development of childbirth;
  • encouraging a woman during childbirth;
  • creating a mood in the delivery room;
  • ensuring that there are no unauthorized persons in the room and answering phone calls;
  • telling relatives how the childbirth is progressing;
  • Playing music, reading aloud or distracting a woman in other ways;
  • cutting the umbilical cord of the baby after birth.

In order to support his spouse morally, a man does not have to participate directly in childbirth. Just staying together at this time can help both spouses. Participation in the joy of the birth of a child can be the beginning of the transformation of the relationship of spouses into a family.

Who is this doula?

A woman can choose a doula to help her with childbirth. Dole is a woman trained to provide support and assistance to a woman at the time of the birth of her child - Dole remains with the woman from the beginning of childbirth and until the birth of the child.

Dole differs from a midwife in that the dole does not accept the child. She physically and morally supports the woman during childbirth - from massage to assisting the parturient woman to concentrate on her breathing. Dole can even help a young mother start breastfeeding.

The real purpose of doulas is to provide support to a woman who decided to give birth without anesthesia. If a woman decides to give birth with anesthesia, she does not need a dole.

Despite the fact that the main duty of the dola is to provide support during childbirth, she can also be an assistant at birth. She does not replace this assistant, she works with him. However, in some situations, doula can be an assistant at birth.

Dole services can be very expensive. This cost includes assistance during childbirth and one (or more) prenatal consultation.

If the spouses decide that the child will be present at birth, they should discuss this with the doctor. He may have his own reasons to impose a ban on this. The doctor can also recommend to the spouses someone who can be contacted about this and with whom he often works.

As the anticipated term of childbirth approaches

With the approaching of the expected period of birth, the spouses should agree on how they will keep in touch with each other. With an easily accessible mobile phone it's much easier to stay in touch. It should also be agreed with someone who will be next to the woman during childbirth so that you can contact him, and also so that this person can take her to the hospital in case the man is not around.

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Before the onset of labor

Spouses can look forward to the birth of a child, but they may not know how to determine the onset of labor. On this day, there will be signs of the onset of labor. These include:

  • the intensification of Brexton-Hicks fights
  • the child "falls" lower to the pubic woman
  • she feels the increasing pressure on the pubis and rectum
  • in the presence of a change in the state of the muscles of her vagina
  • she has diarrhea

trusted-source[22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29]

Preparations for childbirth

Perhaps the woman has already collected a bag for a trip to the hospital and is completely ready for it. Did the man pick up his bag? You can collect a small backpack or bag with some important things that will help a man during childbirth. You can bring the following items with you:

  • comfortable shoes
  • change of clothes
  • clock with stopwatch
  • Toilet accessories such as deodorant, toothbrush, pasta
  • powder, in order to do a woman's massage during childbirth
  • a small roller for paint or a tennis ball so that you can make a woman massage your back during childbirth
  • cassette or CD and a player or radio, so that the birth is accompanied by music
  • camcorder and cassette (only if both spouses agree to the shooting)
  • list of phone numbers and a backup card or prepaid card, as well as a card for long-distance calls
  • charger for phone
  • A non-hazardous snack and a bottle of water
  • book, magazine or newspaper

If a woman leaves the water

Inside the female womb, the baby is surrounded by an amniotic fluid. When the birth begins, the envelopes surrounding the baby tear and the fluid flows through the vagina. When the shells break, the fluid flows first outward, and then it flows slowly. Or it can just flow slowly, but there is no flow.

During the delivery, not every woman leaves the water. The doctor sometimes has to cut these shells. If a woman believes that her water is draining, call your doctor immediately. Most likely a man will be advised to take his wife to the hospital.

Shells are destroyed when the child is not yet ready to be born. If the woman is still far from the expected date of delivery, the doctor can ask her to come to the clinic to check it. In this situation, her husband or someone else should go with her, since after the shells break events develop quickly.

If the child is not yet ready to be born, the doctor will want to make sure that the woman has left the water, and take steps to prevent infection. After the withdrawal of water, the risk of infection increases.

MEASUREMENT CONDUCTIVITY. It is important for the doctor to know how often there are contractions and how long each of them lasts, only in this case one can understand whether it is time to go to the hospital. At the same time, they pinpoint how long each battle lasts and what is the gap between them. It is necessary to ask the doctor how it is more convenient for him to detect time. There are 2 ways to do this.

Method I. Begin counting with the beginning of the bout and finish it when the next one begins (this method is used most often).

Method 2. Begin counting with the end of the bout and before the next one.

On how to prepare for a trip to the hospital, you should ask the doctor - he may have special instructions for the couple. Perhaps the couple will want to ask the following questions.

  • When should we go to the hospital if the woman has labor?
  • Should we call you before we go to the hospital?
  • How can you be found outside office hours?
  • Are there any instructions that we should follow?
  • Where should we go - to the ambulance or to the hospital?

Verification of the truth of birth

When a man brings his wife to the hospital, they can both be sent home! This will happen if they are false births or early births. Upon arrival at the hospital, the woman will be assessed for signs of childbirth. Sometimes this is called a test of the truth of childbirth.

Trip to the hospital

Perhaps the spouses have already registered in a maternity hospital a few weeks before the expected date of delivery. It will save time and nerves. Pre-registration involves filling out questionnaires received at the hospital or doctor. Even if the spouses are not going to take them to the hospital before the birth, they should be filled in advance. If you hesitate with this before the birth, they will have to be filled in a hurry and there is an opportunity to skip something important.

When traveling to the hospital, a man should make sure that the couple took with them an insurance policy and a woman's medical card and that they are easy to find.

If a woman was sent home, one should not get irritated, sad or angry. It should be understood that to determine the onset of labor will often have to travel to the hospital. Sometimes the truth of birth can not be determined by phone.

People who determine the presence of a woman's birth signs know that the spouses want a baby and that they do not want to go home. However, if a woman has false births (see table above to understand how true births differ from false births), it is better for her to go home. If this happened to the spouses, the man should support the woman and help her understand that they will return to the hospital when this is necessary.

After coming to the hospital

When a woman enters the delivery room, many events occur. Check how much the cervix is stretched, clarify the history of pregnancy, record vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature and heart rate of the child. A woman may be injected with anemia or with intravenous injections; most likely, there will be significant blood loss. A woman can do an epidural blockade if she asks for it.

A copy of the woman's pregnancy surveillance data is usually kept; it contains basic information about the health and progress of a woman's pregnancy. Primarily, palpation is performed to determine the stage of labor and in order to use this data as a reference point for other analyzes during childbirth. This analysis, as well as the analysis of vital signs, is conducted by a nurse or a nurse. The doctor conducts it only in unusual situations, usually in case of danger. Before the appearance of a doctor, you can remain calm, knowing that the nurse is in touch with him. In the case of most births, the doctor appears only closer to their end.

If a woman has asked for anesthesia or if the birth does not begin very soon, she does not need to lie down. A woman can walk. Most likely she will only be allowed to suck ice or drink some water. At this time, a man can be in the ward with his wife alone, and nurses can come in to make various preparations. In most cases, a monitor strap is placed on the abdomen of the future mother to observe the contractions and the child's heartbeat. This record can be observed in the delivery room and in the observation room (in the latter case, nurses follow this).

Measurement of blood pressure and palpation are carried out regularly to monitor the course of labor.

In some cases, upon arrival at the hospital, the spouses may report that their doctor is unavailable and that another doctor will be taking delivery. If the spouse doctor believes that during his childbirth he may not be in the city, he should be asked to meet with someone who will replace him in this situation. Despite the fact that the doctor would like to be present at the birth of the child, 7a development of which he observed, sometimes this is impossible.

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How a woman can cope with the pain of delivery

Most primiparous women do not know how painful labor can be. We believe that it is important to know the truth - birth is almost always accompanied by pain. Different women can have painful sensations of different strength. Studies have shown that waiting for pain causes fear and tension. The best way to deal with pain is to be warned about it.

Some women think that you can not ask for anesthesia. Perhaps they believe that it will hurt the child. Others believe that they should receive "the experience of giving birth completely." Many are concerned about the cost of anesthesia. A man should not put pressure on a woman in this, nor should one allow others to do this.

The spouses probably learned about the variants of anesthesia through their channels. A good source of information are birth-education courses; but some instructors do not pay much attention to this. Perhaps the couple learned in courses about methods of anesthesia, not related to drugs, in particular about respiratory methods and relaxation techniques. Some courses discuss anesthesia, and even an anesthesiologist may be invited to open one of these classes.

If the spouses are concerned about how the woman will endure the pain of childbirth, talk about anesthesia with the doctor. The use of anesthetics during labor is usually the decision of the spouses, not the doctors.

A man should convince his wife to remember the possibility of anesthesia during childbirth. After all, a greater or lesser need for anesthesia can arise, and it should be asked if there is a need. Support her choice. Perhaps the pain at birth will be a very difficult experience.

Anesthesia without medicines

Some women prefer to try to ease the pain by taking various positions, massage, relaxation techniques or hypnosis. The techniques of breathing and relaxation are usually taught in childbirth training courses.

Different positions during childbirth, as well as massage, imply the participation of the mother and her assistant in this. This is the only way to find a way to relieve pain. Some women claim that the use of these techniques allowed them to get close to their spouse and made the birth more pleasant for them both.

MASSAGE for relieving pain. Massage is one way to help a woman feel better during childbirth. Touching and pressing during a massage will help her relax. The study showed that a woman who was massaged during labor for 20 minutes every hour felt less tension and less pain.

Massage of the head, neck, back and feet can bring pleasant sensations and relaxation. A person doing massage to a woman should pay much attention to her requirements regarding the intensity of pressing.

Different types of massage affect a woman in different ways. Spouses can try to apply the two methods described below, before the onset of labor, to familiarize themselves with each.

Efferderzh is an easy, gentle massage of the abdomen and upper thighs with the help of fingers; it can be used at an early stage of childbirth. Pressures are light, unsharp, and the pads of the fingers constantly touch the skin. Start with both hands on both sides of the abdomen. The palms should be moved up and out, down to the bottom of the abdomen, and then move back. Then you can massage your thighs. It is also possible to cross-train around the monitor belt (if any). The fingers should move along the belly from one side to the other, between the belts.

Back massage very well helps with back pain during labor. For him, you should put a wrist or a flat fist (you can also use a tennis ball) in front of the tailbone and make circular movements, applying gentle pressure.

trusted-source[31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36], [37], [38], [39]

Analgesics and anesthetics

There are many ways to ease the pain. Analgesia and anesthesia include many methods. Knowledge of each of the ways will help the spouses choose the right one.

ANALGESIA. When analgesia pain during delivery decreases, but the woman remains conscious. This anesthetizes, but can cause anxiety or irritation, as well as slow the reflexes and breathing of the baby, because these drugs usually give in the early or middle stages of childbirth. Examples of analgesics are demerol (mspheridin hydrochloride) and morphine.

GENERAL ANESTHESIA. Under general anesthesia, the woman is unconscious, so this method is used only for caesarean section and emergency vaginal births. In this case, the child is also unconscious, and after childbirth he will need to restore vital functions. In our time, general anesthesia is rarely used in childbirth. Convenience is that, if necessary, it can be applied quickly.

LOCAL ANESTHESIA. Local anesthesia covers a small area, and it is used for episiotomy and suturing after it. Episiotomy - a surgical dissection of the area between the vagina and the anal opening, is done to prevent rupture of the vagina or rectum during childbirth. It usually does not affect the child and has not so many side effects.

REGIONAL ANESTHESIA. Regional anesthesia covers a larger area than the local one. The three most common types of regional anesthesia are pudsalnaya blockade, spinal blockade and epidural blockade.

With pudenly blockade, the medicine is injected into the area of the corresponding nerve into the vagina to relieve pain in the vagina, lower abdomen and rectum. Thus the woman remains in consciousness and by-effects are observed seldom. Pooden blockade is one of the safest methods of anesthesia, although it does not relieve the pain of contractions.

With spinal blockade, the agent is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid at the lower back. The woman remains conscious. This method is used only once for childbirth, therefore it is usually used immediately before labor or for cesarean section. This method works quickly and effectively eliminates pain.

For an epidural block, the needle is inserted into the outer space of the spine at the bottom of the back. This method is used for very active childbirth, when the cervix is strongly stretched and the pain is very strong. This procedure requires the use of a needle for insertion between the two vertebrae at the lower back of a small tube or catheter. The medicine comes through the tube, and the woman remains conscious during labor. The tube remains there until the end of the birth, so that the medicine can be re-introduced if necessary. Epidural blockade relieves pain of fights, as well as pain in the vagina and rectum, when the child moves through the birth canal. This method is also used for anesthesia with episiotomy. The woman feels pressure, as she strains at vaginal delivery. However, epidural blockade can complicate them, and a vacuum extractor or forceps will be required.

trusted-source[40], [41], [42], [43]

The position of the child in childbirth

Most children enter the birth canal forward, and this is the best position of the child during childbirth. But there is another situation.

The reverse position means that the child is upside down and his legs or buttocks will enter the delivery canal first. If the child is lying wrong, the doctor may try to turn it; It is also possible that a woman will ask for a cesarean section.

For a long time with the reverse position of the children gave birth through the vagina. Then it began to be considered that in this situation the safest method is a caesarean section; most doctors in this situation continue to believe that this is the best way out. But there is an opinion that a woman can give birth to a child who is in the opposite position, without complications, if the situation is under control. If such a situation happens, the doctor will discuss this with both spouses.

Childbirth

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Vaginal delivery

After the woman has passed through the first stage of labor, she is ready for delivery. Both spouses will finally see their long-awaited child.

In practice, childbirth and the release of the placenta in stage 2 can take from a few minutes to an hour or more (see the table on pages 225-227, which describes the stages of childbirth).

When the cervix is fully stretched (10 cm), attempts begin. They can take from 1-2 hours (the first or second child) to several minutes (an experienced mother). Birth of a child, exit of the placenta and suturing usually take 20-30 minutes.

After childbirth the child and mother are examined. At this time, the man will finally be able to see and hold his child, and his wife can even feed him. The longest part of childbirth may not be the birth of a child, but the imposition of seams on various areas of the skin and muscles.

Depending on where the woman is, she can give birth and recover after giving birth in the same room (usually called the birth and recovery room). Also, it can be transported to the recovery room, usually it is located near the delivery room.

Cesarean section

In some cases, complications may occur during childbirth requiring a caesarean section, in which the child is removed through a cut on the abdomen and uterus of the mother. Despite the fact that there are many reasons for a cesarean section, its main goal is the same as for normal births - the birth of a healthy child, while maintaining the health of the mother.

Spouses often want to know why you need a cesarean section if they need it. The doctor can not always know the answer to this question before the birth, if a woman has never done a cesarean section, the child is in the right position and there are no other complications. Usually the beginning of fights is expected to determine whether they affect the baby and whether it passes through the birth canal. Cesarean section is a surgical operation, accompanied by a certain risk. If a woman is given a cesarean section, she most likely will have to stay in the hospital for a few days longer. In the case of caesarean section, recovery is slower than with vaginal delivery, and usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Spouses are advised to discuss cesarean section with their doctor a few weeks before the expected date of delivery. They should ask why the operation is scheduled, and also express their wishes and considerations on this matter.

trusted-source[49], [50], [51], [52]

Childbirth alone

  • Call the ambulance.
  • Call a neighbor, family member or friend.
  • Do not push and bend.
  • Spread the towels and blankets in a convenient place.
  • If the child is born before the arrival of help, you should try to help him with the help of his hands, while gently squeezing.
  • The child should be wrapped in a blanket or towel and kept close to the body to avoid loss of heat.
  • Use a clean cloth to remove mucus from the baby's mouth.
  • Do not pull the cord to pull out the placenta.
  • If the placenta leaves, it should be preserved.
  • Do not cut the umbilical cord.
  • Both the mother and the child must be warm before the doctors arrive.

trusted-source[53], [54], [55], [56]

Childbirth at home

  • Call the ambulance.
  • Call neighbors, relatives or friends (keep their phone numbers at hand).
  • Convince a woman not to push and not to bend over.
  • Use blankets and towels to make the woman as comfortable as possible.
  • If it's delivery, you should wash the vagina and the anal area of the woman with soap and water.
  • When the baby's head appears, convince the woman to concentrate on breathing and not push.
  • You should try to release the child's head with the help of careful pressure, but do not pull for it.
  • After the head appeared, it should be gently pressed to release the shoulders.
  • After it seemed one shoulder, you should raise the child's head, releasing the second. Gradually the whole child will leave.
  • It is necessary to wrap the child in a blanket or a towel.
  • Use a clean cloth to remove mucus from the child's mouth.
  • Do not pull the cord to pull out the placenta - it is not required.
  • If the placenta leaves by itself, it should be wrapped in a towel for preservation.
  • Do not cut the umbilical cord.
  • Keep the placenta at the child's level or slightly lower.
  • Both the mother and the child should be warmed with towels or blankets before the doctors arrive.

trusted-source[57], [58], [59], [60], [61], [62]

Childbirth on the way to the hospital

  • You should stop the car.
  • Try to call for help if there is a mobile phone.
  • Turn on the emergency lights.
  • A woman should be put in a back seat covered with a blanket or a towel.
  • Convince a woman not to push and not to bend over.
  • When the baby's head appears, convince the woman to concentrate on breathing and not push.
  • You should try to release the child's head with the help of careful pressure, but do not pull for it.
  • After the head appeared, it should be gently pressed to release the shoulders.
  • After it seemed one shoulder, you should raise the child's head, releasing the second. Gradually the whole child will leave.
  • Wrap the child in a clean blanket or towel.
  • Use a clean cloth to remove mucus from the mouth.
  • Do not pull the cord to pull the placenta - this is not required.
  • If the placenta leaves by itself, it should be wrapped in a towel for preservation.
  • Do not cut the umbilical cord.
  • Keep the placenta at the child's level or slightly lower.
  • Both the mother and the child should be warmed with towels or blankets before the doctors arrive.

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After the birth of the child

After birth events develop rapidly. First read the mouth and throat of the child. Then the doctor bandages and cuts the umbilical cord (or the father can do it). If a man wants to cut his baby's umbilical cord, this should be discussed with the doctor before delivery. Whether he will be allowed to do this depends on the situation and the location.

Then the child is wrapped in a clean diaper and can put on the mother's stomach. Appara score is from 1 to 5 minutes after birth. An identification strap is hung on the wrist or ankle of the child. Usually the physical condition check and the child's taxation are carried out immediately after his birth. The child is dripping the medicine in the eye to prevent infection, and injecting vitamin K to prevent bleeding. Spouses can ask their child to be vaccinated against hepatitis. This should be discussed with the doctor before delivery; The vaccine will protect the child from hepatitis in the future.

Once the basic assessments are made, the child can return it to his parents. Later he will be put in a heated bed for a while.

trusted-source[64], [65]

Do circumcision?

If a man has a son, he will have to make one more decision - whether to make a circumcision for his son. When a boy is circumcised, the skin covering the head of his penis is removed. This can be done both during the surgical procedure, and with the help of a special device designed to remove the foreskin. Usually it is done in hospitals, but if the spouses profess Judaism or Islam, it can be done as part of a religious ceremony outside the hospital.

In our time, about 65% of male children make circumcision; in the 1970s, their number reached 80%. If the spouses decide not to circumcise their son, this is not a very unusual decision, in any case it should be taken together. It is necessary to agree on this before the birth of the child, so that both spouses can realize the consequences and come to an agreement.

In addition to religious considerations, male babies are circumcised for two more reasons. The main reason why spouses decide to make a son circumcision is the desire that he does not differ from his father and other boys of his age in school. The second reason is related to medicine and excludes infections of the genitourinary system in the first year of life of the child and reduces the risk of developing cancer, syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases at a later age.

Most parents know that during this procedure the child is in pain. Various variants of anesthesia are possible, including blockade of the dorsal nerve of the penis, annular blockade of the foreskin and anesthetic lubricant.

Risk in this procedure is minimal; possibly a small bleeding and a local infection. The wound usually heals in 10 days.

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Is it worth it to make a child circumcision?

In the recent past, in the US, circumcision was done to almost all boys. Now some parents prefer not to do this, and this is a personal decision.

The American Academy of Pediatricians is neutral about circumcision. They believe that there is no right or wrong answer to this question. This society believes that this choice should be made by parents and should be based on medical, cultural or religious beliefs. If the couple decides that the child needs to be circumcised, it should be done at a fairly early age, since in this case the negative effect of this procedure on the child is minimal (if done later, it can be much more painful and contains more risk). If the spouses decide that this should not be done, their son will not be the only "uncircumcised" child when he grows up. According to statistics in the US, approximately '

The boys are not circumcised. This operation requires the consent of both parents and will not be done without it. When meeting a doctor before the birth of a child, circumcision may be a topic for discussion. If the spouses do not have this opportunity, they can discuss this before the child leaves the hospital.

Feeding the baby

The choice of the method of feeding the child most young fathers provide to their spouses. In the end, it is she who will feed the child, so the father should not interfere in her choice. Let's turn to the researchers.

Studies have shown that in most cases, the refusal of a female bus to breast-feed a child is based on the fact that his father is negative about this. One of the reasons why men are afraid of this is the fear that the woman will feed the child in public. The good news is that many men, after learning about the benefits of breastfeeding, change their mind and support their spouses.

Breast milk contains all the nutrients that a child needs, and it is also easily digested. Because breast milk contains immunizing factors, babies who are breastfed have a lower risk of infection. Breastfeeding will also give the child a sense of security, and mothers - a sense of self-sufficiency. However, if there are reasons why a woman does not want or can not breastfeed her baby, it will be necessary to feed them with artificial mixtures, which is also not bad.

A man should discuss breastfeeding with his wife during pregnancy and support her regardless of her choice; a man can provide great support and help with any choice. If a woman is breastfeeding, you can help by bringing her a baby and referring him to a nurse. If she feeds the child from the bottle, the man can take on some feeding, even at night.

trusted-source[69], [70], [71], [72]

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