Birth planning aids

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Would you like to give birth to your child at home or in a clinic? How would you like to give birth? Should your partner film the birth? There are many questions that parents-to-be should clarify for themselves in advance.

Where would you like to give birth?

You should think carefully about where you plan to deliver your baby. Take the time to make this decision and try to find out about the possibilities in your area in good time. You can also ask your partner or midwife for advice on the place of birth.

Some women wish to have their child at home. During the check-ups, your gynecologist or midwife will tell you whether this birth wish can be fulfilled for you or whether foreseeable complications a home birth can be ruled out from the outset. It can also happen that a planned home birth has to be moved to the safety of a delivery room because of new complications. The wide range of medical options is available there for all emergencies.

What methods of delivery are there?

Birth in the delivery bed: You can lie or sit on a delivery bed. The bed can be adjusted as required. You decide which position suits you best. The doctor or midwife always has a direct view of the birth canal and can intervene to help.

Birth in a bag chair: Here you sit or lie in a bag chair on the floor. The sack chair contains many small balls that support and shape your body. It can also be attached to the delivery bed. The midwife (and possibly the doctor) will then have a better working position.

Birth chair or birth stool: Many indigenous peoples, especially in Africa, give birth on a birth chair or birth stool. Here, the woman can drive her child out relatively relaxed in an upright position with the help of gravity. Although this position restricts the doctor and midwife's view of the birth canal, it makes it much easier to expel.

Water birth: In warm water, women experience labor less intensely and some can relax more easily. During the water birth you sit or float in a special bathtub. Whether birth in the tub is also possible depends on the hospital. Find out about it beforehand.

Caesarean section (Sectio caesarea): The caesarean section is often the only way to get the child out of the mother's womb. There is also the requested caesarean section: The procedure is then not carried out out of medical necessity, but at the request of the expectant mother - for example because she wants to save herself the trouble and pain of childbirth or want to plan the delivery precisely.

Which birthing position is right for you?

The position in which the woman lies flat on her back is rarely used today. The woman needs a lot of strength every time to lift her upper body during the pressing phase and, in addition, cannot use gravity in this position. In addition, the pressure of the uterus on the large blood vessels in the abdomen reduces the flow of blood back to the heart. This can create complications.

The half-sitting or lying position offers many advantages. The woman does not need to straighten up during the pressing phase and can use gravity.

In theory, an upright sitting position is also possible. However, this complicates the work of the midwife, who sometimes cannot follow the course of the birth exactly. It is therefore possible that the woman has to take a semi-sitting position in between.

The crouching position modeled on the indigenous people has been rediscovered in recent years. The position makes pressing a lot easier. However, many women experience pain in their knees and back after a while. For this reason, there are birthing stools on some maternity wards that can be used for relief.

A combination of different positions is also conceivable. Many women are happy when they can change positions in between and this makes the birth easier.

What can you do about pain during childbirth?

If you want to listen to music, take your favorite music with you to the delivery room. Research has shown that music is relaxing and calming.

You can move around during childbirth. Walking back and forth relieves pain and relaxes many women.

Lumbar and back massages are also often helpful. Practice beforehand with your companion.

Many women are helped by hot showers or baths. Water and heat relax the muscles. That is why there are bathtubs in many maternity wards.

All clinics offer the possibility of countering the worst pain during the expulsion with regional anesthesia: In so-called epidural anesthesia, an anesthetic is injected into the spinal canal through a thin catheter. The catheter is placed by the anesthetist before delivery.

Would you like to have the child placed on your stomach after the birth?

It is customary today to place the child on the mother's stomach after birth. This is intended to maintain close contact between mother and child. The baby feels secure when it can hear the mother's usual heartbeat.

Should the father cut the umbilical cord after the birth?

Many women want their partner to cut the child's umbilical cord. It is a symbolic act that separates mother and child and enables the father to actively participate in the birth.

Do you want to breastfeed your child?

If you want to breastfeed your child, the midwife will help you to breastfeed the child as soon as it is born. When an infant is awake, with a little help, they can move themselves from the stomach to the chest and look for the nipple.

Can the father take photos or video of the birth?

A birth is a big event that you might want to capture in photos or video. However, you should consider whether you want to be photographed at all times and how much the father should be concerned with it. First and foremost, he should help and support you. Discuss this with each other in advance.

Can people in training be present at the birth?

Medical students, midwives or nurses must attend a delivery for educational purposes. This is for training purposes only and will not hinder the birth or the unique experience. However, if you absolutely do not want this, you should tell your midwife or doctor beforehand.

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