Pregnancy trimesters; what happens when? | Mom & co
Pregnancy trimesters
Dividing a pregnancy into terms is actually a bit crazy, because every pregnancy is unique. But if we do try to explain a pregnancy, you can say that it lasts about 40 weeks, and that it can be divided into 3 different stages of pregnancy. Every trimester of pregnancy is different and brings new challenges and changes. What we know is that few women give birth on their due date and every pregnant woman has different ‘illnesses’. And to make it even more complicated; these are experienced differently by every pregnant woman.
The first trimester of your pregnancy (1 to 12 weeks)
The first trimester is often an exciting trimester and, until the first ultrasound, quite an uncertain one. 80% of all miscarriages occur in the first trimester. Please note: as soon as you have had an ultrasound where you have seen and heard the heart beat, the chance of a miscarriage is only 2%.
Mama
The nice thing about this first term of pregnancy is that you are often already in it without noticing it. Because in this trimester fertilization and implantation take place, which you sometimes don’t notice. After conception, the hormonal changes start in the mother, and you experience the first pregnancy ailments. Your body will produce the hormones HCG, progesterone and estrogen. As a result, you will sometimes experience fatigue and/or nausea. You may get sore breasts or gain weight. This is also where mood swings come into the story – you may remember them from your period. Oh yes, one minute you want to eat a lot, and then nothing at all. You will urinate frequently and may experience constipation.
No ailments to get excited about. But there is good news; they usually disappear in the second trimester.
Baby
What happens to your baby in this trimester? A lot! When the fertilized egg has implanted, your baby grows to a size of 6.5 cm. Organs such as the brain, heart and circulatory system are built. The heart is the first organ to function, and it starts beating from the 21st day. From about 6 weeks you can see a beating heart on the ultrasound. Also in this trimester the sex is formed. At week 8 the placenta is formed; an incredibly interesting organ that, in addition to producing nutrients and oxygen, produces all kinds of hormones for the growth and development of your baby.
The second trimester of your pregnancy (weeks 13 to 26)
Many women find the second trimester the best of the three. Most pregnancy ailments are gone – or you’re used to them – you’re a little more confident because of the ultrasounds you’ve had and you’ve shared news with friends and family. What else will happen during this special period?
Mama
You may feel some growing pains in your abdomen, also known as ligament pain. Logical, because your baby, uterus and belly are growing. You will also get a visible belly. During this trimester you will gain about half a kilo per week and you may become more forgetful. The latter is called pregnancy dementia, a term you have probably heard. Ideal to use if you have forgotten to do your shopping. You will also choose a pregnancy course during this trimester.
Baby
In the second trimester of pregnancy, the baby will grow significantly. Your baby grows from 6.5 to 37 cm, and from 325 grams to about 940 grams. Around the twentieth week you will have an extensive medical ultrasound where the sonographer will check whether your baby has any physical abnormalities. A baby is viable from 24 weeks, so milestones are set. What’s sometimes a little crazy about this trimester is that you usually feel really good and you may not always feel like you’re pregnant. If around 18-24 weeks the movements of your baby can be felt more and more clearly, the pregnancy will become more ‘real’.
The third trimester of your pregnancy (27 weeks – delivery)
The third trimester of your pregnancy is the hardest for most women physically, but mentally calmer. Your belly gets bigger and can sometimes get in the way for a while. Your baby’s steps are sometimes visible, and if everything goes well, your baby will continue to grow.
Mama
Stopping working and surrendering to the urge to nest is very nice, but at the same time there can be some tensions towards the delivery. It’s really getting close now. With this trimester come some new ailments. It is quite common that you suffer from your lower back and pelvis. The cartilage in your pelvis softens so that it is more mobile during childbirth. Very well thought of by mother nature, but sometimes certainly not nice. If you have problems with your pelvis, please contact a pelvic physiotherapist. In the Mom & co podcast (ep. 5) we recorded a very nice episode with Jody Kienhuis, a pelvic physiotherapist who gives valuable tips on this subject.
Baby
Your baby grows from 940 grams to an average of 3400 grams and is about 50 cm long. In this trimester you can make more and more contact with your baby and that is very special. Not only will you feel the baby move more and more, but he or she will also respond more and more to sounds and familiar voices. The eyes open, they start to swallow, hiccup and sometimes suck their thumb. The brain develops quickly, the internal organs have finished developing at the end of this period and a lot of cartilage is converted into bone. In the third trimester of pregnancy, you will talk to your midwife about the birth. It is useful to have a birth plan made before you have this conversation. Then waiting for the first signs of labor is the most important thing for you to do.
A beautiful loving message from us is that, despite perhaps the discomfort, ailments and tension that sometimes color your days: the third trimester of pregnancy ends with one of the most beautiful encounters that you and your partner will experience: the meeting with your baby.
An ode to all new mothers | Mom & co
An ode to all new mothers
‘Dear Mom,
There you are… Just gave birth, with a tiny human on your belly. You are suddenly a mother. Often our feelings run a bit behind you during this period. You need time to process what has happened. You can still feel the birth all over your body.
After a magical shower where you take care of your tired, battled body, you step to the freshly made bed. Daily routines such as brushing your hair and brushing your teeth take their place again, as if they were daily. But the days are completely different now. You realize it when you see your baby lying on your partner’s chest, when you come back from such a shower. You realize it when you see that carefully selected outfit for the first time. But especially after that car ride, with the maxi-cosi in use for the first time, and you step into your house as a mother, you realize it.
That evening your baby is sleeping in your bedroom, for the first time after 9 months, it was stored in your belly. “Why didn’t anyone tell you there are so many sounds coming out of a baby?” you think, staring wide-eyed at that little creature. Thoughts tumble over each other: “Shouldn’t he drink again?”, Is that spit normal?, “How do you actually make a bottle?”, “Would maternity care be nice?”, “Oh I really need to sleep, they said it was very important’.
The maternity week starts, and then it really starts! You’ve got everything you need, and you’re all set. You are going through a huge learning curve in caring for your baby. You are recovering, and at the same time you may be kicking off breastfeeding which is a full time job. Meanwhile, the hormones are racing through your body, adrenaline makes you feel like you can take on the whole world and oxytocin makes you madly in love. Or: adrenaline puts you on edge and that feeling of love is not really there yet, that is also possible. It is clear that it is an emotional (and physical) rollercoaster.
It is the most intense transition you will go through in your life. Gray showers full of misery and great waves of love and euphoria alternate. Our message to you is therefore: Give yourself the time and all the care and attention. give yourself the space to become a woman from a woman, with all the emotions that go with it. In your moment, in your way. The rest is just noise.”
In our online course: “The fourth trimester” we prepare expectant parents for the period after the birth.
Recognizing the first signs of childbirth | Mom & co
Recognizing the first signs of childbirth
How do I recognize the start of my labour? Good question! A question that occupies many pregnant women and their partners. When will my labor start? How does it start? Has my labor already started? Because a birth is completely unplanned, and something so big is about to happen, it makes sense that these questions run through your head. No one can predict exactly when you will give birth, but there are several signs that labor is near and/or that your body is ready for the birth of your baby.
Descent of your baby.
When a baby descends, it means that the head descends deeper into the pelvis. If the baby is in a breech position, these are the buttocks. At the end of pregnancy, most babies go into decline. One baby does this at 32 weeks, the other at 38 weeks and some even only during delivery. So it doesn’t say anything about when you will give birth, but it is a sign that your body is getting ready for the delivery.
Most mothers notice that a baby descends due to mild pain in the lower abdomen, or stitches that you can feel in your vagina. (Enjoy! ;)) During the consultation, your midwife will feel for the descent with her hands on your stomach, and tell you whether a baby is already fixed or still mobile in the pelvis. A descended baby can push your bladder quite a bit, so if you don’t already go to the bathroom 453 times a day, you often do now.
Messing around / contractions.
“I messed up a bit last night.” A well-known saying, but what does it actually mean? At the end of the pregnancy, your uterus may have some practice contractions. This is different from hard bellies. Hard bellies are painless and can be experienced a little earlier in the pregnancy, for example after a busy working day. Innocent, as long as you don’t have them too often. Front contractions feel more like a small contraction. They are often somewhat irregular and last a short time. You sometimes have to sigh them lightly and after a while they disappear again. They often make the cervix a bit soft, and can sometimes even cause a little bit of dilation. Pre-contractions do not always subside, because they can also become stronger and more regular, and eventually continue into ‘real’ contractions: good news! You are going to give birth.
If you’ve ever given birth, you usually “mess up” a bit more than someone who has never given birth. Sometimes this can make you a bit restless because you wonder ‘Is this it?’ Trust yourself and your body. When contractions become more regular, stronger, and last longer, you will feel the difference and automatically focus more on the contractions and your breathing. Read here about the five different stages of childbirth.
Expiration and softening of the cervix.
Your cervix is a round closure of your uterus that looks a bit like the nozzle of an inflated balloon. In pregnancy it is hard, stiff and 3-4 cm long. At the end of your pregnancy, it can soften somewhat, or become soft. In addition, a cervix can elongate, meaning it shortens. For some this happens during pregnancy, for others during the beginning of labour. The opening of the cervix is called dilation. You can only find out through an internal examination where the cervix is felt. Please note; it says nothing about when you are going to give birth, there are ladies who sometimes walk around for a week, or even longer, with an expired cervix that is even a bit open. That is why your midwife does not do an internal examination without reason when you are heavily pregnant, this often only causes unnecessary unrest.
Losing the mucus plug.
The word mucus plug may sound like a cute jelly-like plug, but nothing could be further from the truth. It is a thick and tough piece of mucus that is in your cervix. It forms the closure of the uterus and thus serves as a protection. You lose the mucus plug at the end of the pregnancy or during labor, and there is no reason to call your midwife. It often comes in parts, so don’t be alarmed if you occasionally find some mucus mixed with a little bit of blood in your underpants. It is normal that when you lose the mucus plug, it takes a few days or even longer before you go into labor. No worries, the membranes also protect the baby and it is completely normal!
Diarrhea.
Well, those intestines often make themselves heard just before you give birth, or during the start of your birth. In this way, your body clears your metabolic system so that space is released and all energy can go to the uterus. So don’t be alarmed if you have to go to the toilet a few times at the beginning of your birth, or even vomit once: tidy is neat and your body is ready for the ‘real’ work.
Break your waters.
Waters can break before you have contractions, or when you are already having contractions. There are women who feel a ‘pop’, but usually it is characterized by the fact that you continuously lose small amounts of fluid that you cannot stop. The big splash from the film occurs but is seen less often. If it happens during the day, let your midwife know. If it happens in the evening or at night, you put a maternity bandage from the maternity package (such a very large one) in your underpants and try to go to sleep further / early. You call the midwife as soon as you have regular contractions or you let them know in the morning.
The clarity of the amniotic fluid is important. Amniotic fluid that is clear as water, with white flakes, or pink in color is called clear amniotic fluid. If it is green or brown, then the baby has pooped in the amniotic fluid and you should call your midwife 24/7.
As you can see, there are a lot of signs on your body that indicate that it is ready for birth, or may even begin any moment. Keep in mind that these are all omens, and it might as well take a while. When exactly you will give birth is a question that you can only answer when you actually give birth. And that’s a good thing, because not knowing when your baby is coming is part of the magic of the whole birth process.
If your labor does not start on its own and you are about the due date, it might be interesting to read our blog about inducing the birth yourself.
An honest plea from a young mother about her pregnancy | Mom & co
You have invented something new: you climb on me, and you half standing drink from my breast. I feel my heartbeat echoing in your stomach and I go back to the first time I heard your heartbeat.
The first ultrasound of my pregnancy. You were nine weeks and you were already asserting yourself, our baby. Your father and I hadn’t been together very long, but I knew then that you would come. After a summer full of holidays and festivals you started to exist. Was it Berlin, on the French coast or somewhere on a Wadden Island? What I did know is that you are made of love, my little girl. You came from so much love and happiness, and I felt it too, but I also encountered another side. A dark side that hurt, that sometimes brought fear and uncertainty and made me nauseous.
I was so tense for a while, and I felt really bad sometimes. It was difficult at times, while I thought: I must be very happy, right?
But you don’t hear about this from friends. Sometimes it seems like you are expected to be pregnant all the time. It is, but it is also a huge challenge for body and mind. I therefore advocate that we be more honest, and that we talk more about it. Much more!
A large proportion of pregnant women, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, are extremely nauseous. If you are unlucky you also vomit every day and that can make you feel really bad. You should be happy, but it seems like your happiness can’t connect with your body for a while. You become exhausted, and without energy it is very difficult to enjoy a new life ahead.
Try not to ask too much of yourself in those moments. A new life is growing inside you, at an insane speed. This takes so much energy! Therefore be gentle with yourself and do not demand that you still have to be able to do everything. Accept grumpiness, be lifeless. Drink extra water or tea, eat small amounts. And take naps, OMG take naps! Put some crackers on your nightstand so you can eat them before you get up. And know this: Your pregnancy lasts nine months, that nausea is getting less, really. When you start to feel better physically, there will automatically be more room for happiness. Practice this mantra that you can use in a young motherhood as a new mom: Everything is a phase, everything is a phase, everything is a phase.
It is also important that you keep talking. With your partner, your mother, a friend, or maybe someone who is a little further away from you. You are not alone. There are also great groups to be found online. And we, at Mom & co also try to create that connection or be there for you in another way, in addition to our pregnancy course.
Dear mom, sometimes it’s so crazy that being pregnant. It made me stronger and more decisive than ever, but I also experienced anxious and lonely moments and it’s all part of it. So keep talking! About the beautiful and the difficult. Trust that you are doing it right. For yourself and for that other heartbeat that beats inside you.
Love, Maria.
And then there was that article in the Volkskrant | Mom & co
And then there was that article in the Volkskrant
Volkskrant: “A primal birth looks great on Instagram, but gynecologists have their reservations.”
De Volkskrant immediately unpacks and states in the article that so-called ‘momfluencers’ have a too romantic image of childbirth, and denigrates doulas as herbal women. Unfortunate. The article then takes a different, actually very interesting turn: Important themes such as communication and trust are addressed and reference is made to how valuable a doula or a well-prepared pregnant woman and partner are.
There is one important element that stands out to us after reading this article. Namely the trend that something is going on in the world of birth. There is a culture of fear surrounding childbirth, birth is too medicalized and interventions are performed too often. This is because there is not enough information and communication. And that has everything to do with a flaw in the obstetric system; there is too little time and attention during the process. That is why sometimes hasty decisions are made. If the gynecologist or obstetrician, together with the pregnant woman and partner, are well aware of each other’s wishes, have time and attention for each other to make the best decision, then the chance that the birth will be experienced as traumatic is at least small.
The culture of fear surrounding childbirth is the product of the so-called malleable society we live in. And that’s such a shame! Women are afraid to give birth and caregivers are sometimes afraid to intervene too late. This reduces the chance of a natural birth. We often approach the birth from the negative side, while in every birth there is so much positive to be gained, regardless of its course.
A nice, safe and familiar environment, relaxing music, soft light from, for example, such a salt lamp (which are also very nice in the months after birth during the night feedings) contribute to more relaxation. And relaxation is important for the correct hormone production during childbirth. In addition, good preparation for childbirth through, for example, a pregnancy course is essential. Although this is not a condition for a positive birth experience, because every woman is different, a well-prepared couple who dares to be critical is 3-0 in any case.
Look at me, Aline. My son Kobe was born in the operating room under bright white LED light. There was a lot going on in the operating room, but soft light or soothing music was not part of it. I had a caesarean section because I had the medical indication placenta preavia. The birth of Kobe was therefore an exciting situation on paper and that is how it often felt for us, but nevertheless I and my friend René have had a very positive feeling about it. We felt heard during the pregnancy and were well prepared. We received time and attention from our gynecologist and we felt there was room for discussion, especially as we took this space ourselves. This allowed us to move along in the process, even though it turned out to be a completely different adventure than we had hoped in advance. The medical interventions were necessary for my and my baby’s health and we felt part of the decisions made in this.
Births come in all colors and sizes (check our podcast Breathe in Breathe Out just once) and a positive experience is not in that ‘primal birth’, because you can also look back on birth very powerfully with an epidural or a caesarean section. The Volkskrant article mentions that 80% of all deliveries are under the supervision of a gynaecologist. This high percentage reflects exactly what the problem is, overmedicalization and acting not from trust but from fear. Moreover, this percentage says nothing about how childbirth is experienced. We are convinced that, regardless of the course and location of the birth, you can create a positive birth experience. Provided you are well prepared, approach the birth in a realistic way with confidence, feel supported by your healthcare provider and know what the options are – including any medical intervention.
In our pregnancy course we learn to ask questions about medical interventions, but also explain why and when these interventions are necessary so that you do not have to mistrust. Long for that primal birth, if that’s what you want. Buy that salt lamp or that essential oil, if that’s what you want. Prepare yourself, know your wishes and your choices, and no is also a choice. Make sure you feel safe with your healthcare provider. Do everything that helps you to have a positive birth experience.
We think it’s wonderful that ‘momfluencers’ like Nina Pierson, Rens Kroes and Kassandra Schreuder and many others, including ourselves from Mom & co, empower couples and create more awareness that you can have the birth that suits you. We don’t pretend it’s for everyone, and we don’t think the momfluencers do that either. We do pretend that with good preparation and good teamwork you have a much greater chance of that wonderful experience. Who knows what all this ‘fuss’ will bring! Who knows, maybe we will all dare to trust more and not to start the birth out of fear anymore.. Who knows…. We dream along!
(Note: The article ‘A primal birth looks nice on Instagram, but gynecologists have their reservations’ appeared on 5-12-2020 in de Volkskrant and can be read here)
These are the five different stages of childbirth | Mom & co
These are the five different stages of childbirth
It is an unknown phenomenon that childbirth consists of different phases. Some people see it as one long event, and sometimes see the delivery as “very long” while that may not always be the case. Every phase is different and they all have their own function. In this blog we take you through these different ‘birth phases’.
Phase one: the latent phase
The first stage is the latent stage. The big question that comes with this phase is: is it really going to start now? Because in most cases this phase starts with irregular contractions, only 10% of the deliveries starts with the water breaking.
What exactly is a contraction? A contraction is a contraction of the uterine muscle. The contractions often build up slowly, first about every 15, then every 8 and after a while every 5 minutes. Moreover, the latent phase can differ quite a bit in duration. There are women who have irregular contractions for hours, which we also call ‘rumbling’, and sometimes it happens that you get contractions that are already regular and fairly intense. In them, the latent phase will therefore quickly change into the active phase. There is also a difference between women who give birth for the first time and those who have given birth before.
In the latent phase, the cervix will soften and expire. This means that the cervix becomes softer and shorter. When that has happened completely, dilation can arise. In the latent phase you reach about 3 cm dilation.
What can you do best during this phase? Relax! Watch a nice series, do a relaxation exercise, take a shower or bake an apple pie for the midwife 😉 Look for as much distraction as possible when the contractions are still irregular and not so intense. If you are already fully focused on each contraction, the labor will only take longer for you. The partners are also allowed to take their rest during this phase. And if it’s nighttime, go to sleep!
Phase two: the active phase
And then you feel it changing, gradually or suddenly: it becomes more intense. The realization that it has now really started comes in slowly and ‘phew, that last contraction was pretty tough’, and exactly 5 minutes after the last one. Welcome to the active phase.
The name says it all: you are actively giving birth. At this point you are already at least three centimeters dilated, the contractions come every 3, 4 or 5 minutes and last an average of one minute. The intensity of the contractions and the dilation will increase. On average, a woman gains 1 centimeter of dilation per hour with a first child, with a second birth it will all go a bit faster.
Everything is now a bit more spicy, because your body is now going to do all kinds of things, such as the production of endorphins. This hormone has a pain-relieving effect and ensures that you get into a sedation and become more inwardly focused. Endorphins work closely with oxytocin, the hormone that causes contractions, among other things. These two hormones reinforce each other: when you make more oxytocin, you get more and better contractions, so your body produces more endorphins so you can relax more. And when you relax more, your body can make more oxytocin and you get better contractions. Isn’t this system beautiful? And your body does it all by itself.
In this phase, your baby descends deeper and deeper into the pelvis, and turns with his or her head in the correct position to be born. The skull seams of the baby slide a little over each other, this is called moulage. It makes the cross-section of the head smaller and it fits better through your pelvis. A wonderful trick of nature! During this phase, and sometimes towards the end of the latent phase, you may feel nauseous or have problems with your bowels. Don’t be alarmed if you have to vomit a lot or if you get diarrhea. This is another nice trick of your body: your body works everything out so that all the attention and energy can go to your uterus.
Phase 3: the transition phase
The active phase lasts until the pressing phase starts. But just before you start pushing, you also enter a transition phase.
This phase is described by most women as the most intense phase of labor. You are about 9 cm dilated and the contractions come every 3 minutes. You may be nauseous and your lower back may be hurting because the baby is pushing on your tailbone.
Because you are now moving towards the pressing phase, your body produces the hormone adrenaline. That will give you extra power for pressing. But the adrenaline decreases the production of endorphins. You will become a bit clearer, so that your experience of pain changes and you feel the contractions more. So it gets a little tougher.
Right now it is very important that you keep a positive mindset. And that is sometimes really difficult since you have of course worked hard for a long time. As a partner you can now really play an important role by providing continuous and positive support. This phase lasts on average a maximum of one hour and moreover: after this you can push, your baby is almost there!
Phase 4: the pressing phase
For the pressing phase you need to be 10 cm dilated, in other words, fully dilated. The cervix has been pushed back and is no longer in front of, but around the baby’s head.
From this moment on you will get contractions, also known as reflex pressure. Those are muscle contractions of your uterus that are unstoppable. It’s similar to when you have to throw up, there’s no other way! As your baby descends deeper and pushes on your rectum, the urge to push feels like you need to poop. That feeling sometimes takes some getting used to. Know that it is normal and it is a positive sign that the first real meeting with your baby is going to happen really soon.
During the pressing phase, you push along with these contractions, doubling your strength. Your uterus and you squeeze together. When you give birth for the first time, you squeeze an hour to 1.5 hours on average. If you have given birth vaginally before, this usually goes a lot faster.
You push until the head is standing, and thus almost born. This is the moment that your midwife will coach and guide you more intensively. To prevent tearing, it is important that this moment does not go too quickly. Pretty intense, but remember here again: the baby is almost here! So when you feel a burning sensation, from now on you think ‘come on baby’. Your baby will be born in the next or second contraction that follows.
Phase 5: the afterbirth phase
And then… Your baby has been born and lies comfortably on your bare chest. Then only the placenta will follow. We always have the umbilical cord knocked out, because there is still blood flow with oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to the baby. As soon as the placenta releases, this blood flow stops, the umbilical cord is cut (unless you want a *lotus delivery) and the placenta will be born with 1 or 2 more pressings.
A very nice fact is that the placenta has developed from the fertilized egg as well as a baby, and that the placenta has ensured that your baby grew and was safe. A beautiful and brilliant system.
If it takes longer for the placenta to arrive, or if there is extensive blood loss, your midwife may advise you to give synthetic oxytocin an injection in your thigh (or through the IV if you already had an IV). This ensures that your uterus can contract better, allowing the placenta to detach more easily. Synthetic oxytocin can also be used after the birth of the placenta so that the wound is closed better and you therefore have less blood loss.
What makes this final birth stage very special is that during this process you, as new parents, are falling in love with your beautiful baby.
* In a lotus delivery, the umbilical cord is not cut, but the baby remains attached to the placenta, until it falls off on its own after about a week. A half lotus delivery is also possible, where you cut an umbilical cord after the birth of the placenta at a chosen moment, for example immediately after the birth of the placenta, or a few hours later.
Written on behalf of ouders.nl.
Induce childbirth yourself | Mom & co
Induce childbirth (yourself)
You have passed 40 weeks of pregnancy, the due date seems like an eternity ago. Maybe you still feel fit and you think it’s cozy, your little one so warm in your belly. Meanwhile, your phone is overflowing with sweet intended apps (“And and and!?”). You probably totter like a penguin and break out in a sweat just thinking about a walk to the appie. But of course you are also very curious about that mini-human in your belly! It is also not surprising if it is now a bit more difficult to keep a positive mindset. How are you holding up this last period? And what if you pass 42 weeks? And finally: what tricks can you use to induce labour?
The art of relaxation
Inducing labor is only possible through rest. To get your body into the right flow during that last period of pregnancy, it is important that you relax. Then the parasympathetic part of the nervous system becomes active. Your heart rate is somewhat lower, more oxygen-rich blood goes to your uterus and your body produces the hormones oxytocin and endorphins. And that is exactly what you need to prepare your body for childbirth. Let me explain this: When you are stressed, the sympathetic part of the nervous system is activated. Your body produces adrenaline and sends more oxygenated blood to your extremities. We call this the ‘fight or flight mode’, a legacy of our early ancestors. If you’re about to give birth, you’ll want to avoid that mode. So relaxing is the most important. That’s easier said than done, which is why you need to learn the art of relaxation. Be the first to realize that you can and can relax, so take advantage of this period! He is for you. Even if you think that an errand or some work is going well, make sure to relax. Empty your calendar and get a massage. Go floating or walk in the woods. Listen to a podcast or beautiful visualizations. And take naps during the day! Trust me, do it! You can only induce labor if you take enough rest.
Foot reflexology massage
Inducing childbirth can also be done by means of a foot reflexology massage. You have a number of pressure points in your body that could potentially induce contractions, including in your feet. You can therefore induce childbirth by means of a foot reflex massage. Book a foot reflex massage somewhere near you. If you want to work at home, or if you want to put your partner to work, you can massage the feet on the inside, about 2 cm below and behind your ankle. In addition to stimulating the pressure points, it is also great for relaxation. So whether it induces contractions or not, this is great anyway.
Dancing, moving, walking
Exercise is always good, both during pregnancy and during childbirth. During labour, exercise can even make labor go faster. To induce labor, go for a walk, cycle or put on some feel-good music and go dancing. Also very good for the happiness hormones!
Sex? Now?
Sex may not be the first thing that comes to mind in late pregnancy, but it just might trigger labor. Sperm contains the hormone prostaglandin, which softens the cervix and can induce contractions. It is important that you do not have sex with broken membranes, or at least do not insert anything into your vagina. A female orgasm also causes uterine contractions, which may be just that last push to induce labor.
Nipple massage
An important hormone is therefore oxytocin. It not only causes uterine contractions but also milk production. As your body is getting ready to breastfeed, it will produce oxytocin when the nipples are massaged or stimulated. So you can also try.
Stripping
No, don’t put Marvin Gaye on and undress. I really mean something else. Stripping is in this case done by the obstetrician and means loosening the amniotic membranes that are stuck to the uterine wall. The obstetrician can do this by means of a vaginal toucher in which she loosens the membranes with her fingers through the cervix between the membranes and the uterine wall. This is only possible if the cervix is slightly open. Stripping is usually done after 41 weeks and is a very effective method of inducing labour.
To wait or to initiate?
It is best if labor starts on its own. When your body initiates it itself, it follows the natural path, which reduces the risk of complications. When you initiate labour, your body is not quite ready for it. The chance of medical interventions is then greater. Think of administering extra oxytocin or pain relief and possibly eventually an artificial remission. If there is no medical reason to induce labour, it is often best to wait and see. So make sure you can flip that switch and be patient. Try to enjoy those movements in your stomach, provide distraction, positive energy and let yourself be pampered a little. This is the time to be kind to yourself.
41 and 42 weeks and no baby yet
In the Netherlands, a large study (Index-trial) has been conducted into the results of induction at 41 weeks or waiting until 42 weeks. In this study of 1800 pregnant women with an uncomplicated pregnancy, hardly any difference was found between the two groups. What can you expect in these last days of pregnancy? In the 41st week an ultrasound will be made, which will look at the placenta, the amniotic fluid and the condition of the baby. If everything looks good and there is therefore no medical reason to induce labour, you can choose the next step: wait and see or induce labour. It is important that you know what the advantages and disadvantages of induction are and that you can make a well-informed decision. The midwife will often advise you to strip and follow the other tips described above to maximize the chance that your body will give birth on its own.
From 42 weeks it is often decided, in consultation with you, that an introduction is best. Good to know is that this is not mandatory. Does this not feel like the right choice for you and is there no medical need for induction? Then discuss it with your healthcare provider. If an induction is nevertheless decided on, this means that the birth will take place in the hospital under the supervision of the hospital’s obstetrician or gynaecologist.
Let’s be positive: at the end of this ride you will have a beautiful baby in your arms. Think about that, believe in yourself, trust your body and know that there is a power within you that you may not have even felt. And relax. Relax during your leave, during those last stretches, but also relax during pregnancy. you got this!
Written by Aline on behalf of ouders.nl.
Five facts about Mindfulness | Mom & co
5 facts about mindfulness
What exactly is mindfulness? And why do we hear and read more and more about it? And how can you apply this during pregnancy and childbirth? Mindfulness actually means being fully aware of your current experience. How many times a day do we do things on autopilot? Think of driving, actions while cooking or routines at work. Mindfulness works the exact opposite.
In Mom & co’s pregnancy course we use elements from mindfulness and hypnobirthing to prepare for the birth. But mindfulness is not only healthy during pregnancy, but also after childbirth or for partners, mindfulness offers many benefits. To learn more about mindfulness, we have 5 facts for you here.
1. The basic principles behind Mindfulness come from Buddhism.
Buddhism originated in India about 500 BC. Buddha spent his entire life discovering where human suffering came from. He was the one who argued that suffering came from humanity itself because we attach ourselves to pleasant experiences, and reject unpleasant experiences.
2. Mindfulness lowers stress stimuli.
Today we receive about as many stimuli per hour as in Prehistory per year. Just let that sink in for a while. Your phone, the TV, a tram passing by; all incentives. Too many stimuli can cause anxiety. Your head can literally be full because you are overstimulated. Mindfulness ensures that you are consciously engaged with your experiences at that moment. For example, a story that you are told or a breathing exercise that you are talked through step by step. By focusing on what you are doing, whatever you are doing, you can relax. It reduces worry and stress. During pregnancy and childbirth it is essential to be able to relax properly and mindfulness can therefore help.
3. Mindfulness can improve focus and concentration.
Mindfulness ensures that you can focus and distribute your attention better, with the effect that you are less likely to get distracted. So it ensures that you are not only physically present at a meeting and stare out dreaming, but that you are more aware of what is going on now. This way you can become more concentrated in this moment. During pregnancy, it is important for bonding with your baby to make conscious contact every now and then. But this conscious contact can also be very motivating during the birth and it gives you positive power to absorb the contractions.
4. You can use mindfulness in combination with physical tools (breathing exercises, visualizations and affirmations) during labor.
Your body and mind are much more connected than we sometimes think. You can trigger a physical reaction with your thoughts. Think saliva when you think about your favorite food, or blush when you’re in love. This also works during childbirth with, for example, stress or limiting thoughts: it has an effect on your body. As mentioned before, you can reduce stress and anxiety with mindfulness. It can be a distraction during the delivery. By going with your thoughts to a pleasant memory, such as a beautiful holiday, in combination with a breathing exercise, you can ensure that your body relaxes and you gain confidence because you have the contractions under control. We explain in detail how this works in our pregnancy course.
5. Mindfulness can be practiced, so you can get better at it.
In many studies, attention is compared to a muscle; and you can train a muscle. You can train attention, for example, by means of meditation, visualization or a body scan. All these tools are covered in Mom & co’s pregnancy course. But these tools are also very useful outside of pregnancy and childbirth. For example, if you have given birth, it is very good to lie down between feedings, relax and let your thoughts go. And not only for the women, also for the partners, applying mindfulness is a very nice way to pay attention to the moment.
10 things you as a partner do not say to your wife during the birth | Mom & co
10 things you as a partner do not say to your wife during the birth
We all say awkward things in times of stress. Partners during the birth of their baby have a hand in this.
Of course they often mean well, but at times like a birth it can go just as wrong. Even if you prepare well through a pregnancy course with, for example, hypnobirthing, it is quite normal that you still have some healthy tension in your body, and maybe you say the wrong things. Well gentlemen and ladies, here’s a list of the things you absolutely must not say during childbirth.
1. There has never been one left.
Is this really still used? Of course. With only good intentions behind it. What you as a partner are actually trying to say with this is ‘this will pass’. It is simply not helpful at all during birth that millions of women have already preceded you and above all; that they have already given birth and you have not yet. Tip: adjust the pronunciation slightly, with the same good intentions. For example, ‘You’ve come a long way, you’re doing great’.
2. And this is just the beginning.
At the first resting point of Kilimanjaro you don’t say ‘the hardest kilometers are yet to come’. This makes no one happy, and it gives citizens anything but courage. ‘YES it has started, today our baby is born’ already sounds a lot more positive.
3. Pooh, how tired I am.
If the three of you want to go home together as a happy family, I would keep this one for you as a loving partner.
4. I’m going to order pizza, would you like something?
During birth, women basically eat almost nothing. In addition, they have a highly developed sense of smell. They smell eaten garlic cloves 3 days away. There is a good chance that you will be outside on the balcony with your pizza 5 minutes after receipt. So do everyone, especially your wife, a favor and spread a sandwich with cheese.
5. I will let the midwife know that you are having contractions.
Pre-contractions, the word says it all. These are the contractions at the very beginning of a labor, or even before the birth. Calling with pre-contractions doesn’t make much sense. It can then take quite a while before the birth really starts. So look for distraction and don’t focus on every cramp you feel. In addition, your midwife’s calling instructions are made for a reason. If you are not worried, you do not need to inform your midwife about pre-contractions. You may wake her up when she can’t do much for you yet. Front contractions can subside again, a shame if you then gave a false ‘green light’. In this situation you wait quietly, and possibly go back to sleep. Kisses and kind words are of course always very welcome.
6. Name your own physical complaints.
When you’re in labour, you have little empathy for your partner’s sprained ankle or stiff neck. So even if your football knee hurts or you have some back pain because you have been sitting in the same position for a long time, grab a paracetamol in silence and continue ssst..
7. Can the light be turned on?
Yes you can, in another room. Often women like dim lighting when they are in labor. This gives them a little more chance to ‘dive’ into the contractions. You weaken a sense, so you are more focused on what is happening in your body, you can turn more inward. So if you as a partner need light to complete your Sudoku puzzle, you either do that somewhere else or you save it for another time. If you need a distraction, try a gentle massage technique on your wife, because that way she makes extra endorphins to get more into her ‘birth bubble’. She will surely be very grateful to you.
8. Do you think I can go to the office tomorrow?
It is very logical that when you are not giving birth yourself, there are still all kinds of practical arrangements in your head. If you ask your girlfriend these kinds of questions while she is in labour, you have a chance that you will get her out of her ‘birth bubble’, and that is exactly what you don’t want to do. I would like to give you the answer to the question whether you can go to the office tomorrow: ‘No, you can’t go to the office tomorrow’.
9. Will it be okay again?
Jokes about a vagina are forbidden for at least a week after giving birth. The vagina itself for a bit longer, by the way. During childbirth you can imagine that there is pressure on the vagina and pelvic floor muscles, which can cause swelling. In addition, it may also be necessary to stitch. Know that a swelling subsides, and that stitches heal. So the answer to the question is, “YES, it’s going to be okay.”
10. Ajax is 2-0 behind.
The fact that you are looking for some distraction during (the beginning of) the birth does not have to be something bad for both of you. An exciting football final, on the other hand, increases adrenaline. Adrenaline inhibits oxytocin and endorphins, which are just the substances you need as a woman during childbirth. So if you would like some distraction, opt for a romantic Netflix comedy, okay, not comparable to Ajax, but good for the atmosphere during childbirth.
Lonneke redeemed | Mom & co
Midwife Lonneke tells
Let me introduce myself.
Hi! I am Lonneke, a 32 year old from Brabant who lives in Amsterdam. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a midwife. Just like I knew from a young age that I am very clumsy and extremely sensitive. These last 2 qualities ensure that I often experience special and funny moments in my life as a midwife. Moments where the tears come to my eyes, but with some regularity I also end up in situations where I prefer to saw the ground under my feet and then sink through it.
Pink Underpants.
Let me start with the shift where I tore my pants as a recently graduated midwife. Now you might be thinking ‘OH MY GOD THAT’S REALLY embarrassing’. True, but this is not too bad with the rest of what would happen in my career, but I didn’t know all that at the moment.
I was 23 years old, just graduated and was at a stage of life where I thought it was a smart idea to put on neon pink knickers under my trendy white jeans. Let’s start with the fact that as a midwife you only make the mistake once of wearing something white during your shift. If you come home after a shift with breast milk and meconium (baby poop) on your white clothes, you will learn that quickly enough.
On a beautiful summer day I got a call from a dad-to-be saying that his girlfriend was having regular contractions, every 5 minutes. Because she gave birth smoothly the first time, I went there immediately. And it went smoothly. On arrival mom was already 5 cm dilated. The parents wanted to give birth on an outpatient basis, so we had to rush to the hospital. Dad supported mom and I walked out packed with cameras, chargers, a maxi-cosi and about 6 bags.
When you rush to load a car, you don’t necessarily do this with flattering movements. When I load a car in a hurry, it doesn’t have much to do with human movements. As I leaned forward over the backseat, I heard a ripping sound that I immediately knew was bad news. I turned around and daddy looked at me, I can’t describe it any other way, bewildered. Without exchanging a word, we decided there was no time for this now and jumped into the car where Mom was still handling her contractions like a boss.
In the time that followed; the beautiful birth that took place and the special meeting between parents and child that I witnessed, my right buttock hung half out of my pants. Much of my flashy pink knickers were visible to everyone in the room except myself.
When baby Tessa was dressed an hour later, daddy joked: ‘Lonneke is in any case completely in the style of our girl theme today’.