The common feature films episode associated with the onset of labor heroine. She suddenly felt a pain (scrum), she was being taken to the hospital, where two hours later, the baby is born healthy. Such stories are often afraid of the future mothers, and they are preparing for a sharp and sudden pain that will accompany the whole process of giving birth. In fact, contractions occur gradually, their strength and duration depends on the period of delivery, and the frequency of contractions (the time from start one to the next) decreases with cervical dilatation.

What fight?

Contractions - a regular involuntary contractions of the uterus, which provide anti-aliasing and dilatation of the cervix, help the child move through the birth canal, and in the late delivery of the placenta separates and prevention of uterine bleeding Uterine bleeding outside of menstruation - a sign of a serious breach . Together with the vain attempts of the fight are generic expels the baby forces.

Start battle with small nagging pains in the abdomen Abdominal pain: when to sound the alarm?   and hips, which over delivery amplified and become lasting at least 40 seconds, with intervals 1, 5-2 minutes. First bout short, 10-15 seconds, repeated regularly every 5-7 minutes. When not less than three contractions in ten minutes, talking about the regular labor, which means the time to come to the hospital.

Characteristics of labor in every stage of labor

The first stage of labor or during labor, the longest, lasts 8-10 hours in multiparous and 10-12 hours in nulliparous women. This period is divided into three phases: latent, active, and transitive.

The latent phase (initial) lasts 7-8 hours, the length of contractions of 30-45 seconds, and the frequency of contractions 4-5 minutes. The latent phase of a long and cervical dilation occurs to 3-4 centimeters.

The active phase of the duration of 3-5 hours, the length of labor increased to 60 seconds, the frequency of contractions is reduced to 2-4 minutes. The cervix dilates from 4 to 8 centimeters.

The transition phase - a complete opening of the cervix (10-12 centimeters) takes 0, 5-1, 5:00, frequency of contractions is reduced to 0, 5-1 minutes, and the battle itself is increased to 70-90 seconds.

With full disclosure of the cervix and the omission of the head on the pelvic floor begins second stage of labor.

The second stage of labor or during the expulsion of the fetus, the most crucial and difficult. At this time there are attempts to mothers - a strong desire to push out the baby. Attempts occur by reducing the abdominal muscles and diaphragm. Frequency of contractions in this period increases somewhat (1, 5-2 minutes), and the duration of their decreased (45-60 seconds).

Third period - a successive period. During his is born afterbirth (placenta) and spasms of vessels at the site of the placental site to stop the bleeding. Contractions in successive period short, 20-35 seconds intervals of 2-3 minutes, and the duration of the period of approximately 30 minutes.

What affects the frequency, intensity and duration of contractions

The contractions occur spontaneously, regardless of the wishes mothers, but their flow is influenced by many factors:

• anomalies of labor forces (uterine inertia or, for example discoordination tribal forces);
• the readiness of the cervix for childbirth (shortening, softening and smoothing of the cervix in late pregnancy);
• fetal size (large or, conversely, a small fruit can cause anomalies tribal forces);
• the size of the pelvis (for narrow pelvis may also violated the dynamics of birth);
• first or repeated births, birth rate and the gap between them;
• the behavior of mothers (active movements, such as walking, reinforce the fight);
• position of women in labor in bed during labor (to increase the efficiency of contractions is recommended to lie on its side, which is adjacent to the back of the child);
• rupture of membranes (early discharge of water before cervical dilatation of 6-8 cm, can reduce the duration of labor and increase their duration).

Remember that you need to count the frequency of contractions begins at home, so as not to miss the active phase of labor and not to be late to the hospital. You can do the woman herself or her husband asked, with a mandatory recording of all data. Start the countdown from the outset the fight, even if the pain seems to be weak or to define the beginning of the fight since the voltage of the uterus.

Anna Sozinova

Recently, a woman from the former Soviet Union began to give preference to leave abroad. Whereas previously the privilege only of star personalities concerned, but nowadays the service delivery abroad is now available and so-called middle class. Deliveries abroad - it is fashionable, prestigious and comfortable. Yet, before you decide on foreign labor, it is worth considering all of their advantages and disadvantages. After all, none of overseas clinics, as, indeed, and domestic, can not give 100% guarantee of a successful outcome of labor.

Advantages of birth abroad

Undoubtedly, the post-Soviet medicine still retains the principles of health care at the time. And compared with the births abroad often seem almost ideal. So what is the attraction of foreign labor?

• Hospital facilities

If the CIS countries in the recent past and have been some changes in the equipment and staffing of the hospital, then, unfortunately, not all. In foreign clinics every hospital has the most modern and high-quality equipment, the necessary staff of medical personnel, which makes it possible to provide more qualified assistance. In addition, in a foreign hospital antenatal and postnatal ward almost nothing like the hospital. Rather, they look like hotel rooms with all conveniences: curtains, comfortable bed, private bath and toilet, TV, stereo. Items of personal need is not necessary to bring top of the list, they are issued in unlimited quantities in the hospital (pads, diapers, diapers, etc.).

• Obstetrics

In foreign hospitals minimized medical intervention during childbirth. Caesarean section is performed only for strictly medical reasons, and the mode of delivery chosen by the woman (vertical childbirth, water birth or traditional). In addition, foreign hospitals are not forbidden, and even welcomed the joint childbirth with her husband or other close person. It is worth noting and a great experience of doctors in charge of labor in the so-called women starorodyaschaya (abroad rarely gives birth to 30 years).

• Pain relief and support during labor

By agreement in advance or at the request of women in combat, performed an epidural. It is also widely used not only traditional methods of analgesia labor (self-massage, proper breathing), and acupuncture Acupuncture - the ancient traditions in the service of modern science , Aromatherapy, hydrotherapy. The staff is attentive and sympathetic, which is rare in hospitals post-Soviet space (due to the shortage of doctors and high load).

Disadvantages of birth abroad

But despite all these advantages, there are also pitfalls in service delivery abroad.

• High price

Prices for deliveries abroad varies depending on the country where a woman decided to give birth. According to statistics, most often choosing birth in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France. The range of prices in these countries amounts to 30,000 - 60,000 dollars. This amount is calculated on the very birth and a few days of postpartum hospital stay. In the case of complications or Caesarean section is added to about 50%. For tests and inspection before delivery will have to pay extra. Also in the price of foreign birth must include the price of tickets, hotel or rented apartment where the woman will live up to, and within two months after birth. Do not forget about the food and the services of an interpreter.

• Fly to the clinic and back

Doctors say in unison, as a dangerous move long distances for pregnant women. Especially unfavorably on the expectant mother and the child affected flights. Many airlines forbid to take on board a pregnant woman with a term of 36 weeks or more. And since you are back with a newborn baby back, which is associated with certain difficulties. Also avoid sudden change of climate.

• Language barrier

Of course, attention, and participation in the labor wants all women. Is there a possibility to pay for an interpreter, and a desire to a stranger was present at the birth? Without knowledge of the language of all the advice and wishes of doctors will go unnoticed.

• Child and visa

In order to go to give birth in your favorite country, a visa is required. In some cases, a visa is denied or very difficult to obtain.

After giving birth abroad, he does not automatically become a citizen of the country where was born. And to arrive safely with the baby home, you need to register at the consulate.

Anna Sozinova