Giving birth without a support person
How to Give Birth Alone in a Hospital | Mother Rising
No woman should have to give birth alone. However, sometimes life just deals us a bad hand and unfortunately, new parents are not exempt. If for whatever reason, you need to plan for being alone during labor and delivery or are currently giving birth without support, this post on “how to give birth alone in a hospital” is for you.
I hope that this post decreases your fear and anxiety. And I hope that your birth turns out better than you imagine, and to be honest, I’m sure it will. There’s no grace in our imaginations!
God shows up and provides for His children each day in little and big ways. Look for Him – He ALWAYS shows up.
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
How to Give Birth Alone in a Hospital
Before we explore the topic of how to give birth alone in a hospital, let’s first define what I mean by giving birth alone. Of course, nobody is actually alone in a hospital. Upon admittance, each woman is assigned a nurse, and a doctor or midwife that will be with her, typically intermittently, throughout the birthing process.
What I mean by giving birth alone in a hospital is that the support team that was planned or hoped for, just isn’t there. Maybe a doula isn’t there, a mother or mother-in-law is not by her side, or her sister or friend can’t come. This could even mean that her partner, for whatever reason, isn’t there either.
When support can’t come to the hospital because of illness, travel issues, visitor policies, or *ahem* a global pandemic, it’s important to know how to give birth alone. The following are my best ideas on how to give birth alone in a hospital. Let’s get started!
1. Tips for Before Labor
Take a Childbirth Class
First off, it’s important to take a high quality childbirth class. (If there are no good options locally, consider a LIVE online childbirth class.
)
Many new parents believe that childbirth education isn’t necessary because our bodies were designed to give birth and therefore knows exactly what to do. It is true that our body intuitively knows how to have a baby, but there are additional skills and knowledge needed to successfully navigate having a baby in our birthing culture. It also helps to know what to expect, how to cope, and have a bag of tricks on hand.
My online childbirth classes are perfect for parents wanting to explore their options during pregnancy, and learn how to advocate for themselves throughout childbirth. Mother Rising’s birthing classes will prepare you to birth-in-awareness whether you are birthing at home, in a birth center, tipi, taxi, or hospital.
Buy
The Birth PartnerThe Birth Partner is a book all pregnant people should own. This book is required reading for most doulas-in-training and is a wonderful resource for any person looking to have more of a hands-on role during childbirth.
The visuals are very helpful, giving parents lots of ideas of things to try for pain coping.
My favorite part? The Birth Partner is made to be easily navigated during childbirth so that when something unexpected comes up (which WILL happen, by the way) you or your partner can use this book as a timely resource to navigate the unknown.
Practice Comfort Measures
Try a Birthing Ball
A birthing ball is an exercise ball that helps ease pregnancy symptoms, but can also encourage a less painful, more straightforward birth. It’s a must-have for every pregnant woman hoping for an easier pregnancy, better birth, and happier postpartum. I’m not exaggerating!
One way parents can prepare to give birth alone in a hospital is to practice using a birthing ball in the ways one would use it in labor. The more a ball is used during pregnancy, the less a woman will need to think about how to use it in labor. This is helpful because the thinking brain is difficult to access when in labor!
Practice Birthing Positions
Good birthing positions can 1) encourage baby to rotate and 2) mom to dilate =, therefore, allowing for less painful and shorter labor.
When a woman instinctually changes birthing positions throughout labor, she will likely choose positions that encourage labor progress but that also decreases her pain.
When birthing positions are practiced during pregnancy, the less thought will need to go into different birthing positions in labor. Again, the less thinking the better!
Learn Breath Awareness
In my childbirth classes, I teach a labor breathing technique called breath awareness. It’s extremely effective, women all over the world use it in labor, is easy to learn, and can carry a woman through the bulk of her labor and delivery.
Not only is this labor breathing technique excellent for a natural birth, but it’s also amazing for a medicated or even a cesarean birth. No matter what type of birth you are planning, this simple and effective labor breathing technique is for you.
Reduce Anxiety
If you’re reading this article, odds are you’re experiencing a little bit (or a lot) of anxiety.
Anxiety during pregnancy can manifest itself in many ways – headaches, fatigue, poor appetite/diet, lack of sleep, irritability, etc.
Anxiety can come from a lot of places, but if I had to guess, your anxiety probably stems from trying to control what cannot be controlled. (Ask me how I know! ? )
During pregnancy, we should strive for peace in our minds, bodies, and souls so that we and our babies can experience health and wellness. Check out my tips for reducing anxiety during pregnancy. You’re bound to find at least one good idea that will make a huge impact on how you feel.
Address Fears
It is very normal, natural, and surprisingly even helpful to have fears about labor and delivery. The main benefit of fears, anxieties, and knowing what one would like to avoid during labor and delivery is that it can motivate parents to find resources and solutions for their particular issues.
However, fears, anxieties and knowing what one would like to avoid can also paralyze parents and keep them in a state of fear.
It’s important to operate in love rather than fear. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18
Hop on over here to learn how to 1) recognize their fears but also 2) four steps to respond in love rather than fear.
Manage Expectations
Birth can be traumatic when how we expected, planned, and hoped our birth would go does not line up with what actually happened.
Expect the Unexpected
It is a safe bet for parents to expect the unexpected at any kind of birth, alone or with a room full of loved ones. It’s impossible to know how or what won’t go according to plan, but for things to not follow our plans to a T – that we can bet on.
This is quite challenging! Our whole lives we may have created goals, mapped out milestones to achieve said goals, and more often than not, achieved what we wanted!
Birth, on the other hand, refuses to be so linear. Sure, the lessons we learn through birth are about hard work and determination, but they’re also about surrender, how to know what to do when you don’t know what to do, and moving beyond our perceived limits.
(Which are perfect lessons for new parents.)
Birth Plans Aren’t Contracts
I don’t enthusiastically encourage parents to create birth plans. One reason is that I dislike the negative responses from nurses and how they sometimes put my clients in a “one of those women” box.
Also, I am not a fan of how birth plans make some moms feel like they can control their births. It’s important to understand that a birth plan is not a contract with your care provider (or the universe) to have the kind of hospital birth you desire.
You can greatly influence your birth, but in the end, you simply cannot control it.
When creating a birth plan, there is a temptation to feel more in control of the people in the birth room and how the birth will unfold. However, I encourage mothers to think of a birth plan more as a tool for parents to explore their options, and to communicate with care providers during pregnancy and birth, rather than a false sense of control over a particular outcome.
When the Unexpected Happens
Previously I mentioned that it is a sure thing for parents to experience some sort of the unexpected at every birth. But what should parents do when an unwished-for event begins to unfold? How do parents reduce birth trauma in situations like this?
Stay Involved
One thing parents can do in these challenging situations is to continue to be an integral part of the decision making process. If and when plans change, don’t give up, rollover, and check out. Stay involved. (SOURCE, SOURCE)
I once had a doula client that was expecting her first baby. She planned on laboring at home as long as possible, heading to the hospital when her contractions were close together, and having a natural, vaginal birth. However, when she got to the hospital her baby was having consistent heart decelerations. This was definitely not part of her plan.
Not knowing what else to do, she internally gave up and just accepted whatever came her way without asking questions or being involved in the decision-making process.
For her, that was one of her biggest regrets and some of what contributed to her negative experiences at her first birth. Sure, there was more to it than that, but she confided in me that she wished she didn’t give up – but instead kept asking questions, and stayed involved in the decision making process.
2. Tips for During Labor
Now that we’ve discussed things to work on before labor, let’s switch gears. For those that are preparing for giving birth alone or reading this in labor, these tips are for you.
Choose Encouraging Words
If you will be relying on non-professional birth support (yourself, a husband, partner, family members, etc.) for in-person or virtual labor support, make sure they read the 10 things to never say to a woman in labor (and what to say instead). Our words are incredibly powerful, and birth is no exception.
MantraBand Bracelets
Have you seen MantraBand bracelets? I love these things. The one on my arm right now says “ALL IS WELL”.
This bracelet has helped to remind me that my fearful thoughts aren’t real, but instead, God is good, He’s in control, and can be trusted.
Check them out! (Use the code MOTHERRISING for 10% off. There’s free shipping on every order!)
Birth Affirmations
Especially during the hard parts of birth, words of encouragement and reminders of reality are key to coping through each moment. Check out Mother Rising’s collection of 12 stunning printable birth affirmations that empower women throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
Give birth alone, without fear and with confidence no matter what happens!
Prioritize Rest and Relaxation
When preparing for labor, so much of the focus is on coping through the pain of each contraction that parents forget about the gift of breaks between contractions.
Contractions are not constant – they come and go. During contractions, women feel many sensations such as pressure and pain, but between contractions, much of this goes away.
This is good news!
In early labor, women may have as many as 4-6 minutes between contractions (or more!). As things progress the break becomes less, but in active labor, there’s still a whopping 2-4 minutes between contractions.
Labor at Home as Long as Possible
One of the best strategies to give birth alone in the hospital is to labor at home as long as possible or at minimum, don’t go to the hospital at the first signs of labor. When women labor at home, they may be able to reduce the time spent alone at a hospital.
But, how exactly does one labor at home as long as possible without having a “car baby”? How do you know when to go to the hospital? How far apart should contractions be before going to the hospital?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Read this article and you’ll have an excellent idea of how to show up at the hospital during or right before transition.
Plan for Transition
For those that would like unmedicated childbirth or those that are preparing for that possibility, it’s important to understand the part of labor called transition.
The transition phase of labor is typically the shortest portion of labor, but also the most difficult. Contractions are long, strong, and close together.
Transition got its name because it is the part of labor where women transition from stage 1 to stage 2. Stage 2 is pushing. Transition happens right before you start pushing.
Having unmedicated childbirth is totally possible. There are many ways to decrease the sensation of pain and cope well during natural childbirth. You can do it!
However, many women receive epidurals during the transition phase of labor because they can’t cope and/or their birth team is unable to help them cope. Head on over here for some amazing ideas to help you through this intense portion of labor even if you’re alone.
Remember, you can do it!
You are Not Alone
Partner with Baby
Remember, even if your doula or partner can’t be with you during labor and delivery, you’re never really alone. First, your Heavenly Father is always with you.
But second, your baby is with you, too.
Talk to your baby, encourage your baby, and breathe for your baby throughout the birth. Tell your baby you can’t wait to meet them. And remember, no matter what happens, you have each other.
Hospital Staff
Also, your care providers and hospital staff are there for you too. Maybe you just met, but they are there to help you and your baby have a safe and satisfying birth, and they’re giving you their best. Their best may be different than what you think their best should be, but nevertheless, they’re doing their best.
When navigating the medical model, it’s best to approach situations with the mindset that whoever you’re working with is doing the best they can do with what they have. This way, you’ll see them as they really are – people just like you and I. And trust me on this, when it comes to communicating with care providers, you’ll catch more flies with honey.
Your Nurse
Taking this a step further, let’s consider the backbone of hospitals – nurses.
Nurses are amazing human beings, with an extraordinary task, coupled with ridiculous constraints. They too, are doing their best.
You see, nurses have a desire to take care of their patients well, which is often compromised by a few things – their patient load, hospital policies, and the attending physician’s choices. Sometimes these things directly counter each other, leaving the nurse to make choices based more on if they want to keep their job or not.
Nevertheless, sometimes the nurse matched with you upon admission to labor and delivery isn’t the best fit. This happens! I bet she feels the disparity too. If this is the case, go to the nurse’s station and ask to speak to the charge nurse. Explain the goals of your birth and how “nurse Betty” doesn’t seem to be the best fit. Ask if there is a different nurse that would be better suited for whatever you’re trying to accomplish.
Access Virtual Support
Finally, because of technology and wifi everywhere, we now have the capability to bring virtual support with us to the delivery room.
Ladies, this is your opportunity to hire a “virtual doula” and maybe even have your mom there too.
Bring your laptop, tablet, and phone. Bring a tripod for your cell phone. And please, above all else, don’t forget the chargers.
Contact your favorite doula (doesn’t have to be local!) and see if she offers virtual support. Times are changing!
3. Tips for After Birth
Pursue Deep Listening
After birth, when all is said and done, the hard work of moving through your birth story begins. No matter how things panned out or went down, expect the need to process what happened. And remember, even if your birth looked like every woman’s birth fantasy, there’s still a good possibility you’ll need to process certain parts of it.
As the days and weeks pass, bits and pieces of your ordeal will come up. Sometimes this happens when speaking with those that were (or should have been ) present, or maybe while breastfeeding in the middle of the night when everything is quiet and nobody else is around.
This is pretty normal.
Listen to Yourself
When recalling the bits and pieces of your birth, one of the first things to notice is what you say to yourself about yourself. Pay attention to your I AM statements. If you notice that you’re having an emotional reaction to a memory of your birth, really make a conscious effort to notice these I AM statements.
An I AM statement is a belief you have about yourself that you say to yourself (internally), oftentimes without any awareness of it happening. For example, I am patient, I am weak, I am doing my best, I am a failure, I did my best, I am a good mother, or I am loving my baby.
As you notice these beliefs, write them down. Listening, becoming aware, and then writing down what you notice will begin a practice of deep listening with yourself.
Now that you’ve created a list of these I AM statements, consider whether or not if these statements are working for you.
Do these beliefs actually align with the truth? What is the truth about yourself?
At this point, it may be helpful to share these beliefs with your support group or a safe person.
Share Your Story
Finally, a powerful way to process your birth is to share your story. To be listened to, really heard, and validated is incredibly healing.
TIP: When sharing your story tell it from your perspective. For example, instead of saying that the doctor was a jerk, try saying when the doctor said this and made this decision it made me feel _________ and I _________.
For some, this may be as simple as sharing your story with a close friend, or another safe person. But for others, it may be necessary to seek professional help. If this is the case, I highly recommend seeing a therapist that is EMDR certified. These wonderful people specialize in helping people work through trauma. EMDR helps the brain figure out what to do what what happened.
I have personal experience with EMDR and am a big fan. ?
Birth trauma is no respecter of persons or birth plans. It doesn’t matter if you gave birth with a unicorn by your side, on a grassy knoll in a magical forest, and everyone keeps telling you how wonderful everything was. I mean, hey, maybe it turns out that unicorns are kinda creepy and not at all what you thought they would be. And maybe everything wasn’t so wonderful. And that’s ok.
But don’t let that be the end of your story. A traumatic birth has the opportunity to be a turning point in the life of a new parent. The hard parts of birth and life can change you for the better, and create depth of character that would not otherwise be there.
Giving birth requires courage. You have what it takes.
TIP: Explore Options Out of Hospital
For low-risk women, home birth is a safe alternative to hospital birth. If for whatever reason, giving birth in a hospital is unsafe, consider exploring out of hospital options in your area.
It never hurts to know your options.
Who Should be in the Delivery Room? How to Choose the Best Labor Support Person | UNM Health Blog
By Nicholas Andrews, MD, PhD | November 10, 2020
Nicholas Andrews, MD, PhDHealth care providers have lots of ways to keep you focused and safe during labor and delivery. But one person often provides more benefits than your doctor or nurse: your support person.
Having a dedicated labor support person—someone not on your health care team—is so important. Research shows that women who have continuous labor support are less likely to use pain medications or have C-sections. They also tend to have shorter, more satisfying birth experiences.
At UNM Health, we think it's so important for women to have labor support that, even with limited visitors during COVID-19, we've prioritized allowing each patient to have a support person in the delivery room.
Giving birth is one of the most important days of your life.
Your labor partner can do a lot to make it the birth experience you envision. Their role is to help you focus, manage your pain and encourage you during what can feel like a marathon.
Let’s talk about how to build the perfect support system, how a labor partner can help you prepare for childbirth and their role in the delivery room.
4 Questions to Ask About Support Person Options
When choosing who will be your primary labor support person, the first step is to have a frank discussion. Being present for the birth of a child is different from being an active support person. You want someone who will be ready and able to help you through a challenging and painful—yet joyous—experience.
When thinking about labor support, most people assume it will be the woman’s spouse or partner. That is often the case. But while the partner is often present, the primary support person may be the patient's mother, sister or best friend, or a doula.
Think about these questions as you consider who should join you in the delivery room:
1.
Is your partner right for the job?Many partners are wonderful primary support people during labor and delivery. But some aren't, and with good reason. It can be difficult for your partner to see you in pain. And, if they faint at the sight of blood, consider finding someone else to be your support person. You don't want to be worried about your partner while you are trying to focus on having your baby!
If you choose a different support person, your partner can still be in the room, and as involved as you both would like. Or they can wait in the waiting area—whatever makes you both comfortable. Before, during and after childbirth, there are still plenty of ways your partner can support you.
2. Would you prefer support from an experienced mom?
Some women find it comforting to have another woman with them, especially someone who has given birth before. They can tell you what to expect and answer a lot of your questions.
For some families, it’s a cultural custom to include a female relative in your labor and delivery.
For much of history, in fact, childbirth was a female-only event. A woman’s female relatives and friends would help her, along with a midwife. Fathers were often asked to boil water or fetch towels (probably to get them out of the way!) but they typically didn't attend the birth. Talk with your family and your OB/GYN or midwife about the best options for you.
3. Do you prefer a doula?
Another support option that is becoming more common are doulas. These trained companions provide emotional, physical, and educational support to women during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and after birth.
At UNM Hospital, we recognize the benefits that women can reap from doulas, so we started a volunteer Birth Companion Program that offers free birth companions to incarcerated, uninsured and under-served Medicaid patients who deliver their babies here. This program is on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we will start the program again as soon as it is safe.
Related Reading
What Does a Doula Do? Plus, Tips to Find Your Perfect Match.
Read Now
4. How many people are allowed?
During COVID-19, in-room visitors are limited. But even in normal times, it's not always safe to have a large number of people with you in the delivery room.
We want you to have everyone with you that you want, but the health care team needs room to work. Things can change quickly in the delivery room. If an emergency happens, we need clear paths and fewer people to get out of the room.
Before you ask multiple people to be in the delivery room with you, talk with your nurse-midwife, family medicine physician, or OB/GYN how many people are allowed.
In some cases, having a cap on people might work to your advantage. Some patients want just one person with them, but several loved ones want to attend the birth. Your provider can deliver that message for you, and they can blame it on us!
Support Before Childbirth
Now that you’ve found the perfect support system, let’s look at a few ways they can assist you before, during, and after childbirth.
Before Childbirth
There’s no such thing as too much preparation. Even if you have already had a baby, there’s always something new to learn. This goes for your support person as well.
Ask your support person and/or partner to accompany you to prenatal exams and childbirth classes to learn about relaxation techniques and labor positions. Your support person also can watch videos or read articles or books about how best to help you.
Discuss your birth plan with your support team so everyone is on the same page. That way, they can help advocate for your preferences while you’re in labor.
Finally, take a tour of the labor and delivery unit together and pack your overnight bag for your hospital stay. Make sure your support person has their phone handy so they're ready to go when contractions begin.
During Labor & Delivery
Once contractions begin, your support person can jump in and start timing them. The closer together the contractions are, the closer you are to having your baby.
Talk with your health care provider in advance about when you should leave for the hospital.
Labor can take a while. Your support person can go a long way in helping pass the time. Together, you can play cards or a board game, watch a movie, or walk the halls.
When contractions become more frequent and intense, your support person can guide you through the breathing and relaxation techniques you have practiced. They can also help you move into different positions to relieve some discomfort. Your support person can help you get into a warm tub, massage your back, or simply offer a hand to squeeze.
Through it all, they should keep encouraging you—calming, positive words can be a big motivator. And they should be flexible. If you want them to stop or start doing something, tell them. Their role is to help you however they can, including helping you communicate with the health care team.
After the Baby Is Born
Once you’ve had your baby, you deserve and need rest.
Your support person can take charge of updating family on the good news and help keep track of information about newborn tests and vaccines that are given after birth.
When you get home, ask for and accept help from family and friends. Let them watch the baby for a few hours while you shower, take a walk, or nap. Don’t say no to offers for prepared meals or helping with laundry.
Your support person can also help watch for signs of postpartum depression and anxiety—both of which are common after giving birth. They can help you get the care you need to start feeling like yourself again.
When it comes to pregnancy, labor, and delivery, mom and baby are the stars of the show. But every star needs a strong supporting cast member or two. Find and enlist the person who will be your rock and help you through one of the most joyous moments life can offer.
To find out whether you or a loved one might benefit from Ob/Gyn care, call 505-272-2245.
Call Now
Categories: Women's Health
We give birth like at home - articles from the specialists of the clinic "Mother and Child"
Zimina Natalya Nikolaevna
Obstetrician-gynecologist
MD GROUP Clinical Hospital
Presentation of home birth
The most typical arguments of supporters of home births:
- A woman's body is designed specifically to give birth to children.
By nature, it has all the necessary strengths and capabilities to give birth to a healthy child on its own, which means that the help of a doctor in this process is completely unnecessary. nine0016 - The maternity hospital is not needed, because the atmosphere in it is official, hospital, and this does not contribute to relaxation in contractions and the opening of the cervix.
- When giving birth at home, you can take any position that is comfortable for the woman.
- And at home, you can give birth in the water (in the bath), or at least just relieve contractions by immersion in water.
- During home birth, not strangers (doctors, midwives) will be nearby, but the husband, relatives or friends. nine0015 From the first minutes of birth, the child will be constantly next to his mother, he will not be supplemented, he will not be subjected to unnecessary manipulations and examinations.
Well, ideally, supporters of home births present them like this: effective contractions begin at 40 weeks, the first stage of labor lasts no longer than 10-12 hours.
At this time, the woman in labor behaves in a way that is convenient for her, takes comfortable postures, uses techniques to anesthetize contractions (massage, breathing, water). Then comes the complete opening of the cervix, water spontaneously pours out, there are attempts, during which a healthy baby is born without much effort. The child is immediately applied to the mother's breast - he sucks it as much as he wants, the umbilical cord is cut only after the end of the pulsation. Mom has no breaks, the child is absolutely healthy. In general, everyone is satisfied and happy. nine0003
Actually
The picture of home birth is presented, of course, idyllically. And how happy ordinary women would be, and doctors too, if every birth went that way. But it’s not always possible to give birth the way you breathe. In childbirth or immediately after them, various unpleasant situations can arise with a woman or a child. We will not list them so as not to upset anyone. Let's just say that often the life and health of a mother and baby depend precisely on how quickly they received medical assistance .
But what can be done at home in such a situation? The only thing is to call an ambulance, because it is impossible to help a child with asphyxia or a woman with bleeding or high blood pressure without certain drugs, equipment, and simply medical skills. But after all, one of the specialists will be present at the birth with the expectant mother? Good obstetricians and gynecologists are well aware of the high risk of home births, so they do not accept births at home, and a midwife, even with experience, will only cope with the simplest situation. In addition, many so-called spiritual obstetricians, as a rule, do not even have a higher, often secondary medical education, and, of course, they do not bear any legal responsibility for the outcome of childbirth. And it happens that sometimes in home births there is no midwife at all (did not come or the woman was convinced that she was not needed). Therefore, of course, we can agree that the home environment helps a lot, but will it be possible to give birth in it in the event of some non-standard or difficult situation? nine0003
Natural childbirth is possible
But how then to ensure naturalness in childbirth and are there such childbirth at all? In fact, today, natural childbirth is widely carried out in most maternity hospitals, and is not only carried out, but also actively promoted .
If everything goes well, if the birth proceeds correctly, if the baby’s heart beats evenly, and the mother feels good, the doctors of the maternity hospital do not interfere with the birth, but simply observe their course. A woman gives birth on her own, as nature dictates. But what about the notorious home comfort in childbirth? Turns out today many maternity hospitals provide natural childbirth "at home" :
- Almost everywhere now free behavior during childbirth is actively practiced : a woman in labor does not have to lie on the bed all the contractions, but can choose any position.
- In many maternity hospitals there are various devices to facilitate contractions : transforming beds, balls, ropes (with their help you can take different positions in contractions), and in some, in addition to the shower, there is even a jacuzzi in which you can spend the first stage of childbirth. nine0016
- Of course, not all, but already many Russian maternity hospitals have either been renovated or built in accordance with modern ideas about beauty and comfort .
Even in free maternity hospitals there are cozy double rooms with a private bathroom, fresh renovation and beautiful linens. What can we say about childbirth under a contract or in a commercial clinic - the conditions there are more than excellent. - According to the order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, in any maternity hospital where there are separate maternity boxes, a husband, girlfriend, personal midwife or even a psychologist can be present at the birth, and absolutely free of charge . So, the expectant mother will not be left without support.
- Today, in all maternity hospitals, babies are immediately applied to the mother's breast; it is also possible for mother and baby to stay together in the postpartum department.
- Now you can easily find a maternity hospital where you can live together with your husband after childbirth in a comfortable family room . All this, of course, is not free - but if you really want it, then it is quite feasible.
So do not be afraid of the maternity hospital: it has all the conditions for natural and safe childbirth. And home birth is an unjustified risk and an unknown result.
Have you read at least one story about childbirth at home that ended unsuccessfully? Hardly. And if they read it, it is not enough. And the reason for this, as a rule, is the same: with an unfavorable development of childbirth and problems with the child, a woman is aware of her carelessness and simply keeps silent about it.
“They used to give birth in the field” is one of the popular arguments of supporters of home births. They gave birth, but only the mortality rate in childbirth (both children and mothers) was extremely high.
An individual approach to the future mother and her baby, living together, free behavior during childbirth, the opportunity to choose a doctor and midwife, take a husband to give birth - all this is now available in many Russian maternity hospitals
5 signs that you are having a natural birth in the hospital
- Freedom of movement: in the maternity box there is a multifunctional bed-transformer, balls, ropes.
- Presence of a partner: a future father, girlfriend or psychologist is welcome at the birth.
- Natural Pain Relief: The delivery room has hydromassage baths or showers to ease contractions during the first stage of labour.
- Living together with the child: in the maternity hospital, the constant presence of the baby with the mother and breastfeeding are practiced. nine0003
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03/15/2018
God loves trinity
Zimina Natalya Nikolaevna Normantovich Tatyana OlegovnaWhat is partner birth? General information about joint births - GAUZ OZP GKB No. 8
https://partnerskie-rody.com/
Partner births are a relatively new phenomenon in the post-Soviet space, which is preferred by more and more families. nine0088
According to research by the World Health Organization, the presence of a father at the birth of a child has a beneficial effect on the health of both mother and baby.
A woman tolerates the birth process more easily, behaves more calmly, and attempts are softer. The legislation of the Russian Federation clearly states that any member of the family may be present at the birth if the mother has given written consent and there are no medical contraindications. And the list is not limited to relatives. This can be a personal psychologist, a spiritual mentor, a close friend - any person with whom it will be easier for a woman to endure the hardships of the birth process. nine0003
Women often invite a doula, a woman who provides non-medical support during childbirth, to births. It helps to relieve pain during contractions, calms and psychologically adjusts to a successful outcome of the process.
In addition, the doula protects the rights of the expectant mother in a medical institution, suppresses rudeness and neglect on the part of the staff. Solves issues related to the placement and creation of comfortable conditions for the woman in labor.
The assistant also provides psychological support to the husband if he is also present in the delivery room. nine0003 Of course, the husband is not a doula, but he is also able to help his wife tremendously during childbirth. The presence of a beloved man nearby creates a sense of security and instills in a woman the confidence that everything will be fine.
Couples who decide to give birth together are advised to take preparatory courses, familiarize themselves with specialized literature, watch videos of partner births. It is also useful for the future father to take a training course with a psychologist at a gynecological consultation.
It is not enough to understand what a partner childbirth is. It is important for both partners to be prepared for this event. A woman should be completely sure that the presence of her husband will not cause her discomfort or additional stress.
A man needs to be prepared for what he sees and not to get lost at the crucial moment.
Although, as Sergey Shcherbakov, head of the obstetric department of the VKDC Perinatal Medical Center "Mother and Child", notes, in his memory not a single father has fainted during the birth of his wife. And everyone is crying. nine0003 Couples who decide to have a partner child should understand that this is a certain risk for mother and baby. Therefore, a medical examination of the partner before admission to the maternity ward is mandatory. The organization is handled by a gynecologist who has a future mother.
Doctors must be sure that the person who will be present at the birth does not suffer from infectious diseases. Therefore, the following tests are carried out:
blood test for HIV infection and syphilis; nine0088
blood test for hepatitis B and C;
staphylococcus test;
fluorography;
medical examination and issuance of a health report.A doctor's note and medical test results are attached to the request to be present at the birth.
In the absence of contraindications, the head of the medical institution gives consent. After that, a contract is drawn up, and the couple can only wait until the baby decides to be born. nine0003 If there are no contraindications, but there are obstacles for partner childbirth on the part of the medical institution, future parents should refer to Federal Law No. 323 “On the Fundamentals of Protecting the Health of Citizens”.
Pursuant to Article 51 of this document, during natural childbirth, the father or other relative may be admitted to the delivery room if there are appropriate conditions in the medical facility and the partner does not have infectious diseases.Partner births may be prohibited if surgery is necessary or if the potential helper has an infectious disease. nine0003
However, experts also identify a number of psychological aspects, in the presence of which it is better to give up the idea of giving birth together with her husband:
The man categorically refuses.
Persuading and forcing the spouse to be present at the birth is not worth it. He must want this himself, otherwise, instead of support and help, the expectant mother will receive irritation, confusion or even aggression from the partner.
Shaky relationships in the family. If there are certain tensions or unresolved conflicts in the couple, joint birth can worsen the situation. Although in rare cases this helps partners to reconsider their relationship to each other for the better. nine0115 The man is too impressionable. Watching his wife suffer may cause him a guilt complex or provoke sexual problems in the future.
The expectant mother is not completely sure that she wants to give birth in the presence of her husband. Feelings of embarrassment, discomfort, and shame are additional stressors for a woman in labor. Therefore, if a woman does not want to show her husband “in all its glory”, it is better to invite a friend, mother or doula to this event.
Also, do not agree to a partner childbirth just because "everyone is doing it now.
