birth

Nicole Wendler holds a PhD in biology in the field of oncology and immunology. As a medical editor, author and proofreader, she works for various publishers, for whom she presents complex and extensive medical issues in a simple, concise and logical manner.

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Every birth is an exciting event - regardless of whether it is the first child or not: As the calculated due date approaches, most women get nervous. Get an overview of the preparations and the course of the birth: Calculate the date of birth, plan the place of birth, go through the phases of the birth and then start a new phase of life!

Calculate the due date

Most women who get a positive pregnancy test want to calculate the exact due date as quickly as possible. Ovulation and your last menstrual period can help. But even without information about the cycle, doctors can calculate the expected due date. The first child movements allow conclusions to be drawn about the age of the baby, but they are very imprecise. The delivery date can be determined more precisely and much earlier in pregnancy with an ultrasound examination.

When will it finally start?

Even with the most careful calculation: The due date according to the plan and the actual delivery do not fall on the same day in the majority of all pregnancies. Only around four percent of pregnant women actually have their child on the calculated due date.

The closer the delivery date approaches, the greater the joyful expectation, discomfort or fear. Often the physical symptoms have increased so much towards the end of the pregnancy that some women just wait impatiently for the onset of the first real contractions. It is not always easy to distinguish pre- and practice contractions from real labor contractions. Only when contractions occur regularly at intervals of a few minutes and over a long period of time does it actually start. Then you should go to the clinic.

Where to give birth

In the first few months of pregnancy, most women do not think about where they want to bring their child into the world. Pregnant women should think about this point as early as possible: If there are no medical concerns and a natural birth is to be expected, you are free to decide where you want to give birth: outpatient or inpatient in the clinic, in the midwifery center, at home - es are numerous possibilities. Find out which location suits you best in good time before the child is born.

Most women prefer to give birth in the clinic. There are now often beautifully designed delivery rooms with a pleasant atmosphere, with opportunities for water birth and the necessary medical safety in the background.

If a high-risk birth becomes apparent during the pregnancy, you will have to go to a hospital for the birth: It offers medical care for your baby that may be life-saving in an emergency.

Birth: three phases until the baby is born

It can take a few hours from the first birth pains to the baby's first cry before you are allowed to hold your child in your arms. The opening phase usually lasts the longest: first-time mothers should expect up to 12 hours; it is usually quicker for women who have already given birth at least once.

In the second phase, the expulsion phase, the cervix opens completely and the usually very painful contractions set in, which finally bring the child into the world.

The afterbirth phase follows after delivery: the uterus contracts, the placenta detaches from the uterine wall and is then excreted as an afterbirth.

Birth: pain is part of it

Regular muscle contractions of the uterus cause labor pains, as a result of which the cervix opens and the child is pushed further and further into the birth canal. Many women are afraid of this pain. But fear is a bad obstetrician because it causes the muscles to cramp - the pain intensifies. Trust your body! Hormones such as endorphins act as the body's own pain relievers and give you unimagined strength. You can recharge your batteries during the pauses in labor. Also, the fact that you will soon be holding your baby is making you endure more than you can imagine.

However, if it becomes too painful, pain-relieving medication and epidural anesthesia (PDA) are available for each phase of the birth. No woman should be ashamed to use them! Not everyone perceives pain in the same way, and the position of the child or the anatomy of the pelvis can make the pain unbearable. It can also be painful and uncomfortable when the strong stretch causes a perineal tear or a perineal incision is necessary. The doctor will sew up this area under local anesthesia after the birth.

High-risk childbirth and complications

Not every delivery goes smoothly. Sometimes it becomes apparent during pregnancy that a high-risk birth is imminent. This is the case, for example, if the placenta is incorrectly positioned (placenta previa) or if there is a multiple pregnancy. The child may also be too big for the mother's pelvis or may not turn properly into the pelvis towards the end of the pregnancy (breech position, transverse position). It becomes problematic if the amniotic sac bursts before the 37th week of pregnancy (premature rupture of the bladder) or if premature labor begins. Then there is a risk of premature birth.

Even during a delivery that is normal at the beginning, unforeseen problems can occur. They may require an obstetric procedure such as the use of a suction cup or a caesarean section. Even with the afterbirth, complications can still occur, such as an incompletely excreted placenta and the associated heavy bleeding.

A new period of life begins

After the delivery, feelings of happiness usually predominate. Effort and pain are quickly forgotten. Treat yourself to some rest and relaxation for the time being. After the hardships of childbirth, the puerperium follows, in which you give your body time to regress and get used to life with a child.

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