How to prepare for the birth of a child: necessary things, documents, psychological preparation

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Preparing for the birth of a child is a very difficult and at the same time interesting process that has many aspects. Today, expectant mothers do not lack information about pregnancy and upcoming births, however, obstetricians claim that they see only a few truly prepared women in labor. Doctors associate this phenomenon with a certain one-sidedness in preparing women for the birth of a child. Information is given in such a way that pregnant women often find it even unnecessarily disturbing. Some admit on the forums that in the end everything turned out to be completely different than what was presented in the courses.

If you want to become a mother of a he althy baby, then you should think about how to prepare for the birth of a child long before the cherished two strips appear on the test. A similar approach is practiced by rare mothers, but it is he, as practice shows, that becomes the most faithful and justified option of all possible. Today we will analyze when to start preparing for the birth of a child, what aspects of this process are most important and how to avoid the main mistakes that almost all expectant mothers tend to make.

Initial preparations

Experts never argue about how long it takes to prepare for the birth of a child. They are unanimous in their opinion - the expectant mother should plan her pregnancy and prepare for it at least six months in advance. Better if she has a year left. Of course, many of our readers who are already in a position will say that it is too late for them to read this section. Perhaps they are right. But for those women who are just thinking about replenishing the family, this material will come in handy.

If you want to give birth to a he althy child, preparing for the birth of this miracle must begin with the compilation of a certain list. It must include all aspects of training and strictly follow certain rules. It is not difficult to compile such a list, we offer its approximate version, and you can make your additions in the form of a few points. So, how to prepare for the birth of a child in advance:

• physical readiness;
• weight normalization;
• strengthening immunity;
• medical examinations;
• material side of the issue.

Note that we do not focus readers' attention on the baby's father. Since it is most likely that during a planned pregnancy, a caring and attentive man is next to the woman, in equalready to share with her all the responsibility for the life of the future little man.

Let's now analyze all the items on the list in more detail. Physical activity comes first, and for good reason. The fact that pregnancy and childbirth are a huge test for the body is said everywhere today. Therefore, it is important that a woman is well prepared for the upcoming tests physically. This will help her feel good for all nine months, give birth easier and get back in good shape faster after. How to prepare for the birth of a child physically? Naturally, it is easier to do this in advance.

Start by buying a membership to a sports center. Let the first load be small - swim in the pool, walk on the treadmill or work out on the simulators. Over time, you will notice that your body has become stronger and you are ready for more serious activities. They can be absolutely anything, but it is better that the load is varied. Keep swimming, master yoga, start strength training with a personal trainer, and so on. Thanks to this approach, your body will be fully prepared for the upcoming bearing of the baby. Believe me, you will never regret the money spent during this period.

Now let's talk about weight normalization. Some women who have problems with him believe that getting in shape before pregnancy is a thankless job. Indeed, according to the majority, it is considered the norm to get better while carrying crumbs up to twenty kilograms, which means that you can afford to eat anything before conception. If youthink so too, then you are absolutely wrong.

Excess weight increases the risk of not bearing a baby and reduces the chances of conception. Very often, women who have not taken care of bringing themselves into shape acquire a lot of diseases during pregnancy and often they have to go to the hospital for preservation. Therefore, do not treat the problem of excess weight connivingly, especially since women who do not have extra pounds give birth faster and easier. Do not forget that taking care of your figure even before the conception of a baby forms the right taste habits that will positively affect the development of the fetus.

It's no secret that for nine months in the womb, the baby from her body draws a huge amount of vitamins, trace elements and other substances necessary for his he alth. Therefore, the mother, even before conception, must create stocks of all the listed components. Usually, women do this by taking multivitamin complexes, calcium preparations, and separately vitamins C and E. Thanks to this, the immunity of the future mother also rises, which can easily resist colds and flu epidemics.

If you ask a doctor about how to prepare for the birth of a child, he will definitely recommend paying a lot of attention to medical examinations. A woman planning a pregnancy needs to go through all the doctors and take tests to detect various infections, including sexually transmitted infections. Many expectant mothers are not even aware that they need treatment, and they find out about it already when they are pregnant. And at this timeMedics are extremely limited.

And at the end of the section I would like to talk about material preparation. Of course, each person's concepts of financial stability and prosperity are different. But still, when planning a replenishment in the family, be prepared for numerous expenses. They concern not only the conduct of pregnancy and the purchase of a dowry for the baby. For many parents, preparing for the birth of a child includes major repairs in the apartment, and often the purchase of a new home. If your living conditions are not too good, then think about improving them. After all, during pregnancy it will be too late to do this, and expectant mothers are not recommended to think about problems.

Four directions of the preparatory process

When you need to start preparing for the birth of a child, we have already found out. But if the previous section is not relevant for you, since you are already pregnant, then this does not mean at all that you can relax. After all, women who feel a new life in themselves begin to worry even more about how to prepare for the birth of a child. And here they need to focus on four aspects of this process:

1. Information. Future mothers (and often fathers) should have a clear understanding of the physiology of childbirth, documents regulating the work of the institution where their child will be born, as well as all the manipulations that are performed in the hospital with newborns. Thanks to their knowledge, women feel more confident and get rid of a lot of fears.
2. The right side of the issue. Most of the future women in labor do not haveideas about their rights, social benefits provided by the state, legal aspects of drawing up an agreement with a maternity hospital and other nuances. All this often causes nervousness in a pregnant woman and does not allow her to enjoy her position.
3. Recovery. Even if you played sports before pregnancy, do not assume that physical activity is not for you now. For women who feel well and do not have any contraindications, doctors strongly recommend that physical exercises be included in the daily routine. Of course, they should be taking into account the position of the girl. Many mothers-to-be enjoy swimming, yoga and breathing techniques.
4. Psychological preparation for the birth of a child. This aspect is considered by many obstetricians to be the most important, because the he alth of the child and how the birth will proceed depends on the mood of the woman and her emotional state. For more than a year, experts have been saying that pregnant women who attended special courses and were interested in information on how to psychologically prepare for the birth of a child gave birth to he althy babies and did not receive any injuries themselves in the process.

A woman who was able to pay attention to all of these aspects during pregnancy will lead a he althier lifestyle, gain self-confidence, and many will even completely change their worldview. In any case, the answer to the question of how to prepare for the birth of a child allows the expectant mother to approach the most important day of her life emotionally and physically prepared, he althy and with a sense of inner peace.harmony. But some women, carried away by this process, make a number of offensive mistakes.

False strategies in preparing for childbirth

So, imagine that you have to prepare for the birth of a child. What you need for this can be found in any antenatal clinic. However, having plunged into the study of new information, women begin to try on certain roles or choose behaviors that ultimately do not give the desired result. We will briefly describe them, and you try to honestly look at yourself from the outside - perhaps you have the same mistakes.

Most often among expectant mothers there is a "syndrome of an excellent student". The woman turns into a kind of schoolgirl, diligently completing all the tasks. Such pregnant women always visit a doctor on time, special courses and are a storehouse of information about childbirth. However, they perceive this process as a kind of exam, which must be approached with all the tickets learned. Women with this syndrome are sure that with their diligence they will literally deserve a successful outcome of childbirth without complications and other problems. They are captivated by the process itself and the peculiarities of how to prepare for a child's birthday, but at the same time they are absolutely not ready for reality.

The rose-colored glasses strategy is unconsciously chosen by many expectant mothers. Doctors consider her one of the most dangerous for a woman and her child. Since during all nine months the pregnant woman ignores any important information, recommendations of doctors and even possible complications. The woman is sure that everythingthis is nonsense and in fact she will be fine. Simply because it cannot be otherwise. Unfortunately, during childbirth, such expectant mothers often panic and interfere with the work of doctors.

The "ostrich" strategy is also very common, to the displeasure of doctors. Having chosen it, women do not even think about when to start preparing for the birth of a child, as they experience genuine fear of this process. They are frightened by everything connected with the upcoming birth and they try to completely forget about this important event. Such future mothers usually end up in the nearest maternity hospital with contractions, sometimes not even having an exchange card in their hands. What they need to prepare for the birth of a child, they are told by a doctor from the duty team, since they do not know anything about this side of their situation.

Excessive zeal in preparing for the birth of a baby is also not a factor that ensures a successful outcome. Psychologists often call such mothers "bodybuilders." They enthusiastically go in for sports, train the muscles of the pelvic floor, as they heard from experts that this will help the baby to pass through the birth canal. Such mothers can spend hours in the pool to make their baby more comfortable. And in terms of informative preparation, they can give odds to any obstetrician. A female "bodybuilder" daily "hangs" on the forums and reads any information that seems important to her. From the outside, this approach seems right, but experts do not see any advantages in it. They note that excessive physical activity leads to muscle spasms during childbirth and prevents the baby from being born. BUTan excess of information prevents the cerebral cortex from synthesizing a number of hormones necessary for the successful course of the birth process.

There are pregnant women who choose a control strategy. They are not interested in forums, but prefer serious scientific literature. Women read textbooks on obstetrics and publications of eminent professors, so they try to control their pregnancy from and to. They literally make a schedule of what and when should happen to them. Even the birth itself, they want to go according to plan, not realizing that this is a natural process in which it is important to relax and obey your body.

Focus on external paraphernalia also belongs to the wrong preparation strategies. A list of what is needed in preparation for the birth of a child, such mothers make up almost immediately after a visit to the doctor. Periodically it is updated with new items. From the outside it seems that such pregnant women are simply an inexhaustible source of energy. They have time to visit all the maternity hospitals to choose the best one, study the biography of obstetricians and enter into an agreement only with the most professional of them. In addition, they are able to travel most of the children's stores in search of certain things or toys. Many relatives and friends admire such an energetic expectant mother, but in fact she is very tired of her activities. Behind all the external, sometimes unnecessary fuss, a woman forgets about the emotional side of her condition. She does not think about how to mentally prepare for the birth of a child, and misses many important points,related to pregnancy.

One of the most dangerous strategies doctors consider the adherence of a pregnant woman to certain dogmas. Based on fashion trends or someone's recommendations, she develops a detailed scenario for future childbirth. It can be water, home birth or the participation of a certain doctor in them. In nine months, the chosen scenario becomes clearer, and the woman is ready to follow only him. Psychologically, she is not ready for changes that are quite likely. If this happens, then the woman falls into a deep depression, which interferes with recovery after childbirth.

Psychological preparation for the birth of a child: features and nuances

We have previously listed four important aspects of preparing for the birth of a baby. The simplest of them can be considered informational and legal. The necessary information is easy to obtain from the Internet and specialized directories, but I would like to dwell on other aspects in more detail.

How to mentally prepare for the birth of a child? Almost all future mothers think about this to one degree or another. And this is not surprising, because despite the fact that miraculous transformations occur with a woman during pregnancy, during this period she is subject to fears and emotionally unstable due to hormonal changes in the body.

Most often, expectant mothers face mood swings, fear for the life of their baby and fear of childbirth, as well as soul-searching. The last nuance brings its own set of anxieties into the life of a woman, suchas fears of not becoming a good mother and so on. In order to psychologically prepare for the birth of a baby, you need to clearly understand which phobias were imposed or borrowed, and which ones were generated by your consciousness. This can be done through communication. Do not withdraw into yourself and spend more time with people close and pleasant to you.

Very important for psychological preparation is attending courses. According to the peculiarities of the course of your pregnancy and the fears you have, you can choose a specific course that will help you cope with internal problems.

Don't forget about visualization. Set a goal within yourself - to give birth to a he althy and beautiful baby. Often imagine how it will be, how you will see each other for the first time and what emotions it will cause. Over time, fears will fade into the background, and a feeling of joy will arise inside at any thought of a child and childbirth.

Information will help dispel all worries. Usually women are afraid of everything unknown, because preparation for the birth of a second child usually goes easier and simpler, since a woman already knows exactly what will happen to her. Therefore, study the literature on pregnancy and childbirth. But try to give preference to books where the text is written with a dose of humor by those authors who have a positive experience of motherhood.

Physical training

If your baby is planned, then most likely you spent a lot of time on your physical condition in the process of preparing for conception. During pregnancy about ityou should not forget either, but for women who previously led a sedentary lifestyle, their new position should be the reason for introducing a number of exercises into the daily regimen.

First of all, pregnant women are shown walking. They strengthen muscle tone and help boost immunity. In addition, fresh air is very useful for the child.

At any stage of pregnancy, you can do special exercises. There are a lot of similar gymnastic complexes, but doctors advise to practice only in groups. An experienced specialist will be able to assess what kind of load you can give without harm to he alth. A properly selected complex helps to strengthen the cardiovascular system, the harmonious development of the baby, reduces the risk of complications during childbirth and shortens the recovery period after them.

Experts recommend making physical activity regular and combining it with swimming. It is considered the most effective workout for all muscles and at the same time a relaxation session for a woman.

Massage and breathing exercises: is it necessary to conduct such sessions

Let's imagine that you are in full swing preparing for the birth of a child. What do pregnant women need to know about massage? There are many rumors about this procedure, and some women even claim that massage is harmful to expectant mothers and leads to miscarriage. Obstetricians are ready to debunk all the myths and speak confidently about the benefits of massage for pregnant women. It relieves muscle tension and clamps, pain, reduces swelling and improves mood. However, it should be borne in mind that the procedure for expectant mothers shouldexclude pressure and kneading, and be done while sitting or lying on your side.

Respiratory gymnastics, few of the mothers pay due attention. But her techniques help not only during childbirth, relieving pain, but also during pregnancy. In the last trimester, women often complain of shortness of breath and breathing problems, which is extremely harmful for the baby, depriving him of the necessary amount of oxygen. Therefore, breathing exercises are one of the best helpers for women in preparing for childbirth and should not be neglected.

Choosing a doctor and maternity hospital

Today, pregnant women can choose not only the maternity hospital, but also the doctor who will take care of their birth. Therefore, preparing for the birth of a baby is accompanied by a painful search for the best place and specialist.

Most women prefer to conclude a service agreement with a medical institution in advance in order to be calm about their he alth and conditions in the hospital. Most often, the following characteristics become the selection criteria:

• prenatal, maternity and postnatal conditions;
• reviews about the staff in the maternity ward;
• professionalism of neonatologists;
• opportunity to receive additional services;
• cost of childbirth;
• institution rating.

It would be useful to read reviews about the maternity hospital on the forums. But it is worth taking into account the fact that all opinions are subjective and, as a result, may not coincide with your impressions during a personal visit toinstitution.

The choice of a doctor is much more important for an expectant mother than the place where she will give birth. Even the most publicized doctor, with whom you are not personally comfortable, will not be able to facilitate the birth process. Usually, at first glance, a woman understands that she is calm with this doctor. And in this case, childbirth will be much easier, and will not leave unpleasant memories.

I would like to say that you should not chase the most sought-after obstetricians. They are very busy, so they will not be able to give you proper attention and often treat their patients as a way to earn money. Therefore, be sure to get acquainted with the doctor a couple of months before the birth, because in a stressful situation it will be easier for you to communicate with an already familiar person.

Preparing for the birth of a child together: what you need to know about partner birth

The popularity of childbirth with a partner in our country is steadily growing. Most often, women choose husbands for this role, but there are cases of childbirth with their mother, mother-in-law and even a friend. Doctors positively evaluate this practice, assuring that the partner gives the woman a feeling of calm and comfort. However, it is important to consider several factors before going to a partner birth:

• The desire to take part in such an important process for a pregnant woman must be sincere. Neither the husband nor other candidates for this role should succumb to the persuasion of a woman if they do not want to.
• Trust in partner. The expectant mother must have unlimited trust in the person with whom she will go to childbirth. Thisthe process may not show it from the best side, so human relations are important here.
• The husband of the pregnant woman or any other chosen partner should be calm about blood. Nothing good will happen if at the most crucial moment the one who is called to support a woman faints.
• A certain temperament. Your choice must be stopped by a person who has some influence on the pregnant woman, who knows the approach to her and has self-control. After all, childbirth is an unpredictable process, and it can proceed in different ways.

It is important to decide on a partner in advance, as he needs to listen to a course of lectures and pass several blood tests. Doctors will also need the results of a fluorographic study from him.

Preparing for the trip to the hospital

What do you need to prepare for the birth of a child from things? These questions concern all mothers without exception. Therefore, they buy a lot of things, most of which will not even be useful to them in the future. Experienced mothers advise a month and a half before giving birth to take care of buying a crib and stroller, as well as a dowry for the baby. It needs to include:

• Different size diapers;
• diapers (disposable, flannel and thin);
• clothes (several bonnets, bodysuits, vests and rompers, as well as a set of festive clothes for discharge);
• hygiene products (wet wipes, talcum powder, baby cream);
• nipples and bottles.

All of the above items need to be prepared for use andput so that the young father is well aware of their whereabouts.

A month before the expected birth, you need to collect two bags: with documents and things intended for a trip to the hospital. The package of necessary documents includes: a passport, an exchange card, an insurance policy, a birth certificate and an agreement for the provision of services in the maternity hospital. The list of things will be longer. It must include a mobile phone, charger and utensils. Also put in the bag two pairs of shoes (for the shower and the ward), a bathrobe and a nightgown, hygiene items (shower gel, the necessary cosmetic minimum, wet wipes, highly absorbent postpartum pads, disposable bra inserts), disposable diapers, bandage (if you need it). You can also take still drinking water, bananas and a chocolate bar with you in case of prolonged labor.

Second child in the family: is it necessary to prepare

There is an opinion in society that the second pregnancy and childbirth do not require preparation, since the mother already has some experience. However, it is precisely in this that the trap for a pregnant woman lies. The fact is that every pregnancy, even for the same girl, proceeds differently. This also applies to the birth process. Therefore, the second pregnancy cannot be expected to be identical to the first. In addition, the initial experience can be negative and a woman develops very real fears that have a basis. Therefore, the question of how to prepare for the birth of a second child is quiteup-to-date.

Doctors say this should be done as carefully as in the case of the first pregnancy. But more attention needs to be paid to psychological preparation in order to rid a woman of phobias and fears. If the first pregnancy and childbirth left the most unpleasant impressions, it would be useful to work with a qualified psychologist. Since such an injury can become a serious obstacle to a successful outcome a second time.

Separately, I would like to mention the preparation of the eldest baby in the family for a new role for himself. Not all kids are happy about this news, so the main task of dad and mom is to set their child in a positive way in relation to the future brother or sister.