Informed for birth: 8 important facts::/H2
Does one need an enema before birth?
In many hospitals, an enema is still performed as a precaution before birth today. This has the great advantage that you don't have to worry later while pushing during birth about possibly having an accident. And you will really push very, very hard during the pushing stage – just as if you had constipation. If the bowel is not empty, you might push the contents out by straining. You can avoid this with a timely enema. It is uncomplicated and completely painless.
Checklist for your hospital bag::/H3
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What happens during a perineal tear?
You have probably already heard that the perineum can tear during birth. This is not surprising in itself, because when your baby's head emerges, the vagina is stretched extremely within a very short time. For the area between the anus and the vaginal entrance – the perineum – this means extreme stress, which can lead to tearing of the perineum.
Depending on the severity, these tears are divided into different grades: from grade 1, a rather small tear, to grade 4, where the entire area down to the anus tears. Sometimes the tissue also tears sideways. A larger tear must be stitched after delivery, but don't worry: you won't feel the tearing or the stitching. The pain impulse of the tearing is lost in the labor and birth pain, so you don't even notice it, and the stitching is done with local anesthesia. If there is no other way, the doctor may also use a scalpel during birth to relieve the perineum with a deliberate incision. Because a targeted cut is always better than an uncontrolled tear.
There are also various ways to counteract a perineal tear:
- Perineal massage: Start massaging the area between the vagina and anus regularly with a little oil a few weeks before the birth. On this occasion, you can also gently and carefully stretch the vagina. This is also a great opportunity to involve your partner in the whole process
- Epi-No: An Epi-No is an inflatable balloon that you insert regularly into the vagina starting a few weeks before birth, gradually increasing the circumference. This also serves as preparatory stretching, whereby it occurs evenly in all directions, just as the newcomer's head will do during birth.
- Sitz baths: Regular sitz baths promote blood circulation and thus ensure stronger connective tissue. Depending on your preference, you can add lavender oil or hay flower extract to the water, but the warmth alone already has a circulation-promoting effect.
- Birthing position: In the supine position (lying on your back), the perineum is exposed to the greatest stress. Talk to your midwife about alternatives such as the all-fours position, kneeling birth, or perhaps a water birth.
This list is not necessarily exhaustive. In any case, speak with your gynecologist or your midwife.
What happens to your belly after birth?
It is understandable if you wish for everything to return to the way it was as quickly as possible after delivery, but that takes time. During the temporary residency of the new inhabitant of the earth, not only was the skin stretched significantly, but the uterus also increased 20-fold in size over the course of the pregnancy and must now gradually regress. It took 9 months for the baby to be ready; now it takes another 9 months for everything to completely regress. This may seem long at first, but with your new little sunshine, you will soon look back in amazement and wonder where the time has gone.
Does breastfeeding hurt?
Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world and should therefore not actually be painful. Nevertheless, the first breastfeeding period in particular can present you with challenges. For example, the nipples are not used to the strain and may possibly become sore with frequent breastfeeding. Here, it is important to check your baby's latching position and see how your baby grasps the nipple. They should have a large part of the lower areola in their mouth. Your nipple should touch their palate and be gently enclosed by their tongue from below. It is also recommended to try different breastfeeding positions until you find the one that works best for you and your baby. However, in case of severe or persistent pain, be sure to contact a doctor, a midwife, or a lactation consultant.
Right at the beginning of the breastfeeding period, you may experience a pulling sensation in the abdomen. This is because breastfeeding supports the regression of the uterus. Fortunately, this process is only of short duration.
What is the baby blues?
In the time before the birth, you imagine the first days and weeks with the baby in the most beautiful colors. But paradoxically, many mothers after birth do not feel happy or even elated at all. Rather, they are completely frustrated, sad, and irritable. This is due to a completely normal phenomenon known as the baby blues or postpartum depression. After the birth of the baby, the mother experiences a hormone crash – and emotions crash right along with it. The result is massive mood swings, which are accompanied by a bad mood and mild depression. However, this phase should subside on its own after a few weeks. If it lasts longer, you should talk to your doctor, as after all, 10% of all young mothers suffer from depression for a longer period after pregnancy.
What about sex?
The vagina is stretched extremely during the delivery of the baby. For this reason, many parents worry about what their love life will be like in the future. Fortunately, this concern is unfounded – the vagina also returns completely to its original state after some time. After childbirth, sex can therefore be just as much fun as before. However, it is possible that the mother may not feel any desire in the first weeks after birth due to the hormonal rollercoaster ride. In addition, possible birth injuries such as a perineal tear may require some restraint. Here, too, a little patience is required. Time heals all wounds. If this were otherwise, after all, all parents would only have one child – and fortunately, that is not the case.
What role does the pelvic floor play?
The woman's pelvic floor is subjected to extreme strain before and during birth and is heavily affected. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to start targeted pelvic floor training about 4 weeks after birth to support the regression of the muscles and connective tissue. Please do not neglect this aspect, as a weak pelvic floor can lead to permanent urinary incontinence. It is also best to talk to your gynecologist about this.
By the way, it is completely normal to lose a few drops of urine when sneezing or coughing in the first few weeks after birth. For the transition period, it can therefore be wise to always wear a pad.
What about the lochia?
Lochia (postpartum discharge) gets its name in analogy to the postpartum period and lasts about as long: up to approx. 6 weeks after delivery.
It is a bloody and unpleasantly smelling wound secretion. It comes from the wound that was created when the placenta detached from the uterus. This too is a completely natural accompaniment to the regeneration and healing taking place.
With pregnancy and birth, you were exposed to an absolute extreme situation physically and emotionally, which pushed you to your limits. This has left its mark. But in return, you have given life to a new human being, and the unpleasant side effects of birth and pregnancy recede quickly and are soon forgotten.
We hope this article has helped you to prepare yourself mentally a little better for the birth. We don't want to sugarcoat anything – giving birth is strenuous. But if you know what to expect, you can handle it better. You are going through what billions of mothers all over the world and throughout all times have experienced. And time and again, you hear from new mothers that they had forgotten all the effort, pain, and deprivation the first time they were allowed to see the smile on their baby's face.
Checklist for your hospital bag::/H3
By the way
Our swing2sleep automatic baby hammock supports mother and child during the adjustment and regeneration phase. Due to the lying position, the continuous up and down bouncing, and the familiar closeness, the newborn retains three important aspects from their time in the womb. In this way, they feel safe and secure, allowing you to give your body the opportunity to recover and heal from the strenuous birth.
