7 Important Facts About Giving Birth
7 important facts about giving birth
In this article, we’d like to inform you about the seven most important facts about giving birth. As an expectant mother, it can prove to be extremely useful to already have dealt with this topic prior to the birth of the child.
What’s That About the Perineum?
You’ve probably already heard that the perineum can tear during birth. This is rather comprehensible given that when the baby’s head emerges, the vagina is stretched quite extremely in a very short amount of time. That takes an extreme physical toll on the area between the anus and the vagina – the perineum. Because of this, a perineal tear can oftentimes not be avoided.
There is a differentiation between the different degrees of tear: A 1st degree tear is a rather small rupture, a 4th degree tear means that the entire area all the way up to the anus has torn. Sometimes the tissue also tears sideways. A larger tear has to be sutured after the delivery, but don’t worry: You won’t feel the tearing, because the contractions and birth pangs will predominate. You will also not feel the stitches, because you will receive local anesthesia beforehand.
The perineal tear can be partly prevented with a perineal massage, which you should do regularly already in the weeks leading up to the birth.
Additionally, the doctor or midwife may be able to provide some support to the perineum during birth.
In some instances however, it is also necessary for the doctor to help with scissors. Sometimes a targeted cut is better than an uncontrolled tear.
Do You Need an Enema Before Giving Birth?
In many hospitals, an enema is still done as a precaution. This has the clear advantage that you don't have to worry about any mishaps when you push later during the birth. That’s because you have to push very, very hard during the pushing contractions - just as if you were constipated. If the bowel is not empty, the bowel contents may be expelled during the contraction. This is something you can avoid by having an enema done in time. It‘s neither painful nor uncomfortable – and therefore definitely something you should take into consideration.
What Happens to the Stomach After Birth?
Unfortunately, many people are not aware of this: Even if the baby has seen the light of day and the belly is therefore now "empty", it has by no means disappeared. How could it? After all, the skin is not quite that elastic. Of course your belly will disappear, but it will take quite some time. It’s even said that it takes 9 months until the baby is ready and another 9 months until everything has completely receded. Moreover, it is not only the skin that is affected: The uterus has also stretched 20-fold during the pregnancy and must now gradually return to its original shape. Naturally, this is not possible from one day to the next - good things take time! So be patient with yourself. If after giving birth you look like you did in the 6th month, it may be a bit frustrating, but it's also quite normal.
Does Breastfeeding hurt?
In theory, breastfeeding should not be painful of course, after all, it’s the most natural thing in the world. But in practice, things may look a little different. However don't worry, you'll soon get used to that too. At the very beginning, your baby's suckling will cause the uterus to retract. And that can be quite painful - a pain very similar to labor pains. So unfortunately, the pain is not quite over after birth. But holding your baby in your arms, will truly make the pain bearable. In addition, the nipples are very sensitive, especially with the first child. This can be quite exhausting, but it will pass with time.
The Baby Blues
As beautiful as you might be imagining the first days and weeks with the baby, it can also easily happen that reality will interfere with that plan. Against common expectations, many mothers do not feel happy and exhilarated after the birth, but rather completely frustrated, sad, and irritable. But do not worry! This is also a completely normal phenomenon, called the baby blues or more correctly: postpartum depression. It's easy to explain why: When the baby is born, the mother experiences a proper hormonal crash. This in turn leads to massive mood swings, which are accompanied by bad moods and mild depression. However, this should regulate itself again after a few weeks. If not, the doctor should be consulted, because after all, 10% of all young mothers also suffer from depression after pregnancy for a longer period of time - and that could lead to difficulties.
What About Sexual Intercourse?
The vagina expands quite a bit during childbirth - as the baby "glides" through it, it gets extremely stretched. Many parents are worried about the sex life that follows. However, there’s no reason to worry, because everything will form back (at least almost) back to normal afterwards. Sex can therefore be just as fun again after childbirth as it was before. However, in the first few weeks after the birth, the mother may not feel any desire for it and may also be afraid because of a perineal tear. But here too, the name of the game is: patience! Time heals all wounds. Otherwise, all parents would only have one child - and fortunately that is not the case.
The Pelvic Floor
A woman's pelvic floor suffers extremely during childbirth. That's why it's really important that you start postnatal pelvic exercise about 4 weeks after giving birth, because you otherwise risk permanent urinary incontinence. And who would want that? But it's normal to lose a few drops of urine when you sneeze or cough in the first few weeks after giving birth. So you should always wear a pad.
What About Postpartum Flow?
The postpartum period lasts about 6 weeks after delivery. This means that you will have more discharge during this time because the uterus is forming back. When the placenta detaches from the uterus, a wound is created that has to heal first. During this process, a bloody and unpleasant wound secretion, called lochia, is discharged.
As you can see: Aside from the wonderful aspects, there are also some less pleasant aspects of childbirth. But if you are informed about everything, you will be able to cope with it better. And: You are not the only one who suffers from baby blues or a still somewhat "stretched out" belly after giving birth. Perhaps only a small comfort, but still. And, hey! In return, you now have a baby and a new wonderful chapter of life begins.
During childbirth, expectant mothers accomplish incredible things, they give life. Childbirth is a very powerful and intensely stressful act for the body and the mind. Of course, after an exhausting birth, time is needed for the body to recover and regenerate. This is not always easy, because the newborn also has to process the birth and needs some time to arrive in the world.
Our spring-cradle from swing2sleep recreates 3 out of 5 important and familiar components for your newborn from its time in the womb. The lying position, constant and continuous bobbing up and down, and the tight, snug fit. Your baby feels incredibly safe and secure. This way, you can also give your body the opportunity to recover from the exhausting birth and to heal all wounds.
