The most popular holiday, according to statistics, was Valentine’s Day, and the “worst” one was Halloween.

The experts have found that every year from February 5 to February 25 fertility is increased by 3.7% with the help of natural childbirth, and by 13% via cesarean childbirth.

Another interesting fact was also discovered by the scientists. It turns out that the number of births decreases at the end of October. Natural childbirth happens about 5% less often, and cesarean section is reduced by 17%.

The obtained facts go to prove that women can control not only the date of surgery, but the dates of natural childbirth as well.

Becca Levy, the author of the new study, thinks that such a term as “spontaneous labor” is no longer true. This is explained by the fact that pregnant women can easily control the beginning of labor. This is because the beginning of delivery itself is affected by the hormones, and the latter, in their turn, are influenced by the emotions that arise while waiting for the favorite holiday.

According to Doctor of obstetrics Dennis Walsh from the University of Nottingham, England, the pain during childbirth has its own advantages for both mother and baby. He emphasizes that painkillers, such as epidural, violate the natural process of psychological connection between the mother and the child.

Dr. Walsh says that labor pain often helps to regulate the time of delivery, reinforces psychological connection between the mother and the baby, and prepares the woman for motherhood responsibilities.

Over the past 20 years, the use of epidural anesthesia has doubled. In fact, it is used only on demand of women in labor, even despite the fact that the medicine increases medical risks during childbirth and despite the availability of alternative and less invasive ways to control pain symptoms.

Meanwhile, according to Dr. Walsh, the pain has positive physiological effects, allowing to set the rhythm for the contractions and activate the production of endorphins, the hormones that help to adapt to the feeling of pain.

The doctors have noted that the use of epidural anesthesia facilitates side effects, such as the need for hormone replacement therapy during labor and the use of forceps for the child to be born safely.

According to the research by Swedish doctors, one should not overuse these painkillers at least because of the fact that the risk of drug addiction among the adolescents, whose mothers received morphine drugs during labor, is five times higher.

The nervous system of the baby “remembers” the narcotic analgesic. And then, if one day the teenager gives it a try, there will develop a fast and strong addiction.

Dr. Walsh says that alternative methods of reducing pain are safer for both the mother and the newborn baby. For instance, he suggests using the technique of hypnosis, massage, yoga, and birthing pools.

It is believed that the woman, who is psychologically ready to deliver a baby, who is able to breathe properly, is well aware of all the phases of labor, who is able to control herself and is aimed at the result, can cope well without painkillers.

In their new survey, the researchers proved that the woman in labor should stand or even walk rather than lie during the first stage of delivery. It considerably reduces the period of contractions and makes the delivery faster. The scientists used the data from 21 studies conducted in developed countries since the 1960-s. The experiments involved about 4,000 women. It turned out that the stage of contractions was about an hour shorter if the women stayed in the upright position, and it was longer, if the women gave birth in bed.

According to Annemarie Laurence, who works at the Institute of Women’s and Children’s Health in Queensland, Australia, in most developing countries, women are standing or even walking during the early stages of childbirth without any unpleasant consequences for health. The review, she says, shows that if a woman spends the first stage of delivery in an upright position and moves more, this is for her own benefit and is not associated with any risk.

On the basis of these results, Lawrence noted that medical professionals should encourage all women to give birth in the positions most comfortable for them and try to avoid lying down. The researchers insist that it is necessary to gather more information as soon as possible about how the woman’s position affects the level of pain, control, and satisfaction during childbirth.

Some of the changes can remain unnoticed by the future mom, and others, on the contrary, will be too clearly seen to stay unrecognized.

Labor and Woman’s Brain

Of course, the woman’s brain is the first to get ready for the upcoming event, and the inhibitory processes get enhanced in the cortex. On the contrary, those subcortical systems, which are responsible for the regulation of labor, are activated.

Hormonal Changes before Giving Birth

Also, the female body faces the change of hormonal levels during this period. The ratio of hormones is changing, which means that the amount of progesterone, which is responsible for the preservation of pregnancy throughout its overall period, will start to decline, but the levels of oxytocin and estrogen will increase.

And this is due to the fact that both of these hormones contribute to the natural course of labor, preparing the cervix for delivery and contracting it in the process of childbirth.

But that is not all, since a woman can not observe these changes. She still has to face a more visible and tangible signals that indicate the coming of the “first meeting” with the child.

Breathing Becomes Easier

About a couple of weeks before giving birth, the future mom feels that breathing becomes easier, as the pressure on her pulmonary system is weakened due to the fetal head descending to the entrance of the pelvis.

Walking Problem

But, unfortunately, we are not exposed to positive changes only. There are some difficulties while walking and trying to draw the hips together, and it certainly causes the appearance of an uncomfortable sensation.

Frequent WC Use Before Delivery

Some future moms have to use WC often, because the baby’s head adds some pressure onto the mother’s bladder.

False Labor Pains

You can also expect the appearance of irregular contractions, and since they do not end with the opening of the cervix, they are called false and can last from several days to several hours.

Vesical Cervix Opening in Labor

But about six hours before the beginning of labor, there comes the time for the so-called preliminary period, when cervix is opening, accompanied by the pulling and cramping pain in the lower abdomen. In the normal course of pregnancy, one can wait for this phase to end at home, and not rush to the maternity hospital until the moment, when the contractions become regular, and their frequency is fairly intense, with the intervals of not more than ten or fifteen minutes.

Around the same time, maybe a little earlier, a mucus clot with streaks of blood comes out of the vagina. This process is quite natural, and therefore there is no need to panic. The formation of this mucus is influenced by estrogen, and the cervix goes out because of its expansion.

Baby’s Activity

The less time remains until birth, the less active the baby is, as there is not enough space for it in the womb, and it is not so comfortable for the baby to swim in the amniotic fluid, to toss and turn on its own. The baby is restrained to staying in the same position, occasionally straightening a hand or a leg.

Weight Loss during Pregnancy

In some situations, an expectant mom can lose a few pounds of weight.

Edgebone Pains

At about the thirtieth week of pregnancy, the expectant mother may have slack periodic pain in the sacrum. The reason for this is that the head of the fetus causes pressure on the nerve endings located in the area.

But, in spite of that, the woman is so pleased by the approaching encounter with her baby!

For example, a lot of women try to walk more, have sex, eat spicy food or stimulate their own nipples. These data have been obtained from interviewing 201 patients at Northwestern Hospital.

The scientists have estimated that 102 ladies, which is 50.7% of the total number of participants, used different ways to speed up the approach of delivery. In the opinion of the overwhelming majority of the girls, the list of methods which help to achieve these goals includes laxative medications, herbal supplements, acupuncture, and masturbation. However, the scholars note that these methods are increasingly resorted to by relatively young ladies who are pregnant for the first time and not earlier than on the thirty-ninth week of pregnancy.

Regarding the sources from which women discover these ways of speeding up the delivery, the majority of the interviewed participants answered that they had learned it from their friends and relatives. And just less than a half of the participants of the experiment admitted that they had discussed these actions and the degree of their effectiveness and safety with a doctor. Despite the fact that the mechanisms of this kind of techniques are not well studied, a professor at Ohio State University and one of the leading authors of the research, Jonathan Shaffira, claims that the time of child delivery depends on the level of certain hormones that women are not able to control performing any of the additional actions.

Source of the image: Photl.

Unnecessary Cesarean Section: Study

The microflora of the babies born this way differs from the microflora of those who were born naturally. And that is the reason for the “Caesarian” babies being more susceptible to diseases, experts say. The study of the specialists from the University of Puerto Rico was attended by their colleagues from the University of Colorado at Boulder and two Venezuela institutes.

Nine pregnant women and ten newborn babies (one of the women gave birth to twins) were kept under observation. Four women gave birth naturally, but five of them – by Caesarean section. Samples of the bacterial flora of the skin, the mucous membranes of the mouth, and the vagina were taken from all the mothers after delivering babies. And samples of microorganisms from skin, mouth, intestine and nose were taken from all the babies immediately after birth.

Body bacteria were studied with the help of the molecular-genetic method: by analyzing the structure of variable region genes of bacterial ribosomal subunit (16S rRNA). This site serves as a genetic marker for different groups of bacteria.

The microflora of the investigated women organs consisted of different bacterial colonies. Their composition, naturally, differed; the skin mostly contained Staphylococcus, Corinebacterium and Propionibacterium, the mouth – Streptococcus, and the vagina – Lactobacillus and Prevotella.

Baby’s Microflora

A baby’s microflora differed primarily by uniformity in all parts of the body: that of the skin, that of the mouth, that of the nose, and that of the intestine – they all were the same. But the most interesting thing is that the microflora turned out to depend on the method of baby delivering.

Bacterial colonies of the babies who have come through the mother’s birth canal are dominated by lactobacilli and other vaginal mother’s microbes. And the microflora of the”Caesar-born” in all parts of the body is similar to that of the skin bacteria with the predominance of staphylococci. And in these cases there is no connection with the mother’s organism.

Mother’s Bacteria

The fetus develops in the uterus in sterile conditions, the authors of the study explain. The first portion of the microbes a person gets as soon as he or she is born. And the portion is clearly dependent on the method of birth. If a child passes through the birth canal, then there is a transfer of bacteria from mother to child. If it is removed surgically, it picks up everything on its way.

The scientists stress that vaginal lactobacilli have a protective effect on the newborn, preventing him or her from picking other microbes, such as hazardous staphylococci. “The differences that we have seen may be associated with health risks of the babies born by Caesarean section,” – Dr. Elizabeth Costello said.

C-Section Born Babies Are Less Healthy

It is well known that babies born by Caesarean section are more susceptible to staphylococcal infections (statistics account for about 64% -82% of all cases). These children undergo the colonization of the intestinal useful bacteria later, they are more likely to suffer from allergies and asthma. Their body especially needs the introduction of probiotics, including lactobacilli.

The results of the study are important because more and more women have their babies delivered by Caesarean section (for example, in the U.S. there are more than 30% of such cases). Learn more about what is dangerous for your child in the PNAS journal.

Source of the image: Photl.

This is a new experimental technique of labor pain reduction with the help of traditional methods from such ancient cultures as Indian and Moroccan. It is based on the use of singing as a form of self-induced sedation. Researchers claim that singing triggers release of endorphins, substances with sedative effect, which in turn act to reduce labor pain.

The new method is being developed at the maternity ward in Italian city of Mantua. The research is lead by Elise Benassi, doctor of musicology and obstetrics. She claims that voice vibration from singing partially prevents pain signals from reaching the brain. As the result, the pregnant woman experiences much less pain during labor. More precisely, singing expands the diaphragm, enhances respiratory capacity, and reduces muscle tensions and compression. Thus, the whole body is completely relaxed

The medics also note that singing during labor is not same as yelling. A woman needs to come up with the right tune. After the childbirth, this tune will be an invisible sound cord between the woman and her baby. If the study is confirmed, future moms will need to search for the right tune in addition to the usual hunt for baby toys, clothes, furniture, and accessories.

Source of the image: Photl.

Like you might have seen on television, the loved ones completely react to labor in madness. The situation becomes worse as if the hell has broken loose. In actual fact, nothing like this happens in the real world. Your labor would slowly begin with mild pains which would start getting more painful in a couple of hours. Just in case your water breaks, it will drip rather than flowing uncontrollably. This will give you some moments to re-collect prior to leaving on way towards the hospital. By this time, if you are still not on the hot-seat of childbirth, you must quit worrying about the bag. A lot of women get their packing done at the last moment. If you are well aware of the items you need to put in the bag, then this packing process will be done within a blink of an eye.

Before doing anything, keep a zipper bag handy as it will keep all your items in it safely. On the other hand, zipper bags are easily accessible and trouble-free to carry.

At this point you must know the important items that pregnant moms should pack before leaving.

Cozy Mommy Clothes

By the time you are in labor and in the process of childbirth, you are least interested to figure out what you are wearing. Then may it even be the revealing hospital gown for instance. But what would you wear after the baby has arrived? Try carrying something comfortable like your favorite pajamas or also a special mommy outfit with you.

Comfy, Wooly Socks

While in labor, a lot of women go through ample of emotions and feelings. The most common of them all is having cold feet. Many moms suggest keeping comfy and wooly socks on even while they are in labor.

Your Personal Cushion

The cushions provided in hospitals are not recognized for their soft qualities or comforting coziness. During labor, if you wish your head to rest peacefully, bring your personal pillow to the hospital because the delivery room beds and pillows here are not designed for your relaxation.

You can even carry body pillows for further comfort.

Reading Items

Please don’t expect your labor to get over within one push. You will have contractions and short time to rest as well. But, during this phase, you must keep yourself relaxed. Reading helps you get away from the phase of labor and processes an efficient delivery.

Quick Nibbles for Dad

Though you might be in labor, but you must not ignore the dad or anyone who is accompanying you through labor. While packing you bag, try to stuff some foodstuffs as well. We’ve heard a lot of women complain that their husbands ran out to grab an instant bite. So you must keep something handy instead.

Stay Cheerful

We know that some of you would not be pleased about the suggestion of keeping a camera or a mobile phone while you are in labor. These gadgets will assist you to spread the good news and will record the most memorable day in your life.

After Delivery

After the childbirth, you might have to stay at the hospital for a day or two. Please carry some necessary toiletries like your make-up, toothbrush, toothpaste and even your hair brush. Don’t expect your first breastfeeding moment to be a smooth walk in the garden. Some women have had a tough time dealing with hyper-sensitive nipples which didn’t even allow them to put on a shirt. Do not leave your home without a lanolin cream and potential lactating moms.

If there are some additional items you need to carry to the hospital, you can surely add them to the list.

Source of the image: Rangefinderforum.

This sight, made into a video and uploaded last week to YouTube, amused not only the expectant mother herself, her partner and another kid, but also over 150,000 online viewers, many of whom were instantly reminded of coming-out scenes from Alien.

Not all of them regarded the latest online video hit as entertaining enough, though – a few pregnant women were extremely disconcerted by the unusual sight.

“The truth is there has not been a new drug to treat problems in labor for 60 years – pharmaceutically, there’s been nothing new since oxytocin,” Professor Wray pointed out. But unfortunately oxytocin, which is conducive to active contracting of the uterus, does not always produce the desired result.

Therefore the news of a new test that allows to detect whether the pregnancy is going to end up with a vaginal delivery or a Caesarean section is more than welcome.

Liverpool University and Liverpool Women’s Hospital carried out a study which revealed that the possibility of a vaginal delivery drops down noticeably in expectant mothers whose level of lactic acid in the amniotic fluid is higher than common, whereas a low level of lactic acid means that the uterus can produce the contractions of the strength necessary for delivery.

The level of lactic acid grows higher when the uterus, like other muscles, is set to work. Contraction makes it release the lactic acid, but as soon as it reaches a given level, it begins to inhibit the process, which can end up in the mother being no longer able to give birth naturally.

So, there is more lactic acid in the amniotic fluid when the uterus gets weak. An oxytocin infusion can provide only so much stimulation which may not work at all, but when it does, it will throw the uterus into lower layers of exhaustion.

The new scientific discovery may give physicians a reliable clue when it is worth everybody’s while to go for a Caesarean cutting down on a prolonged labor and playing it much safer – or, the other way round, know when the Caesarean is not necessary.

Source of the image: Photl

Giving birth to a child can be a very exhausting course of action that any woman would ever experience in her entire lifetime. Childbirth greatly requires mental training, flexibility and stamina.  If you keep preparing your mind and make it ready for labor and delivery, this process itself will help in decreasing the worries that you are undergoing a few weeks before the due date.

Exercises during Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your pelvic floor muscles are supposed to be strong. You should start practicing Kegel exercises from your fourth month onwards to make these muscles stronger. These exercises appear and seem quite awkward in the beginning, but you can practice these exercises anytime and anywhere.

How does Kegel Exercises Work

The Kegel exercises tone the muscle called pubococcygeus or PC muscle. This muscle is helpful in making a woman stop urinating halfway through. These same muscles are responsible for pushing the baby out during the time of delivery. Once you have distinguished this muscle, you should tighten and try holding it up for 10 seconds. Follow this at least 10 times in a day. Once this muscle becomes healthy, you will be able to give stronger and effective pushed which would help you in reducing the time of delivery. Following this, you will be able to gain a proper control over your bladder till your delivery and even after it.

Making Hips Flexible During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a rare process of softening hip joints occurs which helps in sperading the hips in order to make place for the baby.  This rare hormone is called relaxing. To make your hips a little more flexible, try to perform light stretches, but make sure that you don’t push yourself too far on this one. You would notice a very different flexibility in your joints than before. This will also lead to torn muscles if you strech too much than what your muscles actually permit to. When you are performing leg lifts, you should make use of a steady support which will not let you loose support especially during your last few weeks of pregnancy. If you try to keep your hips flexible and well tones, your body will be strong enough to go through the process of childbirth and recover at a faster speed after delivery.

Sex is the Best Exercise

Sex is considered to be the best exercise during pregnancy. If you doctor has cast a green signal for you to have sex, it is one of the best methods to keep your pubococcygeus muscles in proper shape and an optimum way to keep your heart beating.

Best Exercises During Pregnancy

No matter what different forms of exercises your practice during pregnancy, light stretching and walking are considred to give out more positive results all throughout the pregnancy and are much better than the strenous exercises.

If you stay fit all throughout your pregnancy, it will be helful in easing your process of delivery and will make you recover soon. With the benefit of good health, you will gain the capability to manage in processing oxygen,you heart will be able to manage stress during the delivery and your body will recover within no time after delivery. If you continue to maintain a healthy diet and a proper exercises during pregnancy, you will be in a good shape in inviting your new born into this world.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/simmbarb.

A study in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reveals that well-nourished women who use multivitamin supplements all through their pregnancy increase the risk of premature labors and may give birth before the standard 37 weeks.

The reason, according to the researchers, lies in the fact that different vitamins and minerals may interact unpredictably decreasing the amount of nutrients required for the fetus’s proper development.
Nevertheless these supplements were not found to influence the weight of the new-born baby adversely even if taken during the third trimester.

Scientists are certain that so far as the pregnant woman is sticking to a well-balanced diet she stands in no need of supporting herself with any supplements, especially in the months preceding the birth.

Source of the image: photl.com.

According to Dr. Gertrude Neumann, pomegranate consumption may help successful delivery. Onset of labor is followed by the release of oxytocin hormone. In case of oxytocin deficiency, doctors would administer it to a parturient woman.  These efforts, however, will always produce the required effect.

To relieve delivery pains, doctors may hopefully use pomegranate based medication in a near future to compensate for oxytocin deficiency. Previous studies also discovered health benefits of pomegranate for women. Pomegranate was found to provide lots of ellagitannins known as a remedy to prevent breast cancer.

Source of the image: photl.com.

A study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, reveals that the effect of some clotting agents like oxytocin or ergometrine influences breastfeeding during the two days following the birth by retarding milk production.

Although in the opinion of scientists that effect may be disregarded in favor of these drugs’ ability to decrease the risk of after-birth bleeding from 18% to 6%.

“The potentially life-saving treatments to prevent bleeding after birth must not be compromised on the basis of this study but further studies are required to establish ways to minimize any effects on breastfeeding rates,” ran the conclusion.

Scientists are proceeding with research to provide more support to women to ensure propitious breastfeeding right upon the birth of the baby.

Source of the image: flickr.com/photos/emerycophoto.

Bacteria or an inflammation in the womb or the membrane enclosing a fetus can cause premature delivery in some women while other women would stay unaffected. Scientists aimed at the mechanisms involved in the process. They found that when womb cells detect bacteria they send a signal like domino effect to provoke delivery. If those signals can be blocked in midway, the process is possible to be stopped. The signals can be blocked using natural anti-inflammatory hormones or drugs. As of now, a series of lab tests have been made on human cells as well as on animals. Tests on humans are planned to be conducted in 2-3 years.

Professor Philip Bennett, lead researcher from the Clinical Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London said he and his team put great hopes in this research. “We have now discovered how to block a key pathway which leads to premature birth. Although more research needs to be done, we believe this is a step forward in the development of treatments to prevent premature birth“, he concluded.

Source of the image: flickr.com/photos/ruiguerra.

Pain in labor often helps regulate the rhythm of childbirth, strengthens the connection between the mother and the baby, and even prepares the mother to the responsibility of motherhood, says Dr. Walsh. Over the last 20 years the epidural rates have doubled and practically this method is used according to the woman’s request even if the drug increases medical risks during childbirth despite the existence of alternative, less invasive methods to control pain in labor are available. Moreover, according to Dr. Walsh, labor pain has positive physiological effects, as it helps establish a rhythm to childbirth and activate production of endorphins – hormones, which help women to adjust to pain.

The doctors also noted that the use of epidural anesthesia increases the chances of side effects, such as the need of hormone treatment and the use of devices, such as forceps, to complete the labor. Pediatricians are also concerned that long-term impacts of anesthesia are still unknown. Dr. Wash states that alternative methods of pain management, such as hypnosis, massage, yoga, and birthing pools, are safer for the mother’s and baby’s health.

Do you think women really need to go through this pain to become a real, full-fledged mother to her baby? Or is it just a statement of a man who never finds out how painful it is to give birth?

Source of the image: flickr.com/photos/debbya.

Some such cases may result from the history of earlier childbirths – early miscarriages (especially when twins were coming on), intrauterine hematoma (the accumulation of blood in the womb) can signify the possibility of premature labor in future.

Other cases have been tracked down to early vaginal bleedings that lead to untimely delivery of a baby that may be of insufficient weight.

The same thing (pre-eclampsia, as the medicos call it) can be manifested by recurrence of nausea in the mornings – and if the sensation is very strong, the risk may become as many as three times greater!

Yet the scientists are sure that close monitoring will take care of the biggest part of the problem. “It is a message that these patients need to have supervision,” concluded Robbert van Oppenraaij, the head of the researching team, explaining the need for expectant mothers troubled by vaginal bleeding or a constant feeling of nausea to remain under monitoring until the delivery.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/bies.

Do Men Really Need to Be in the Delivery Room?

According to The Royal College of Midwives in Britain, nine out of ten fathers attend the birth of their children. But there are no studies whatsoever looking into how many of those nine actually wanted the experience and how social expectations influenced their choices. As for all the popularity, there is another voice keeps growing louder every year saying dads in the delivery room are useless and indeed make a nuisance of themselves. In a poll conducted by the Royal College of Midwives, 88% of mothers said they’d have felt relieved if fathers’d stayed out. The same poll revealed the half of husbands couldn’t assure their role was of any importance. Pretty mixed, isn’t it? So why do we need the husband in the delivery room and what is his role there?

Support or Nervousness?

Most women would say he is there for support. Childbirth is a challenge. And who could support you better than a loving husband? He is there because he cares, he is strong and encouraging. For many, this feeling works better than painkillers. But this scenario applies best when the husband makes a gut decision to be there, unhesitating. On the other hand, many couldn’t predict their reaction to a dramatic scene of birth. Indeed, instead of upholding their woman’s courage, they might end up clutching to their own. Many doctors say a man in the delivery room is often a contributor to nervousness, passing his own fears on to a woman.

Delivery Room as Punishment for the Husband

Women name another reason why they want the husband as a witness. They want some justice. If he played an easy role at conception, it would be fair to have him face the music. And this seems to be the most controversial part. Many psychologists attribute this partially to revenge. Women want their husbands to share their sufferings. Is this as selfish motif as the husband’s reluctance to be there? And how to draw the line between the need to be comforted and the intent to hurt?

The Effect on Sexual Life

One more argument for getting the husband involved is that the experience bonds him to the child and wife. Many couples say they proceeded with happier marriage after they passed that test in the delivery room together. But there is a sensitive part to it, too. While the majority of husbands don’t mind being in the delivery room, they go like I’m really not into watching the “actual” process or cutting an umbilical cord. And they say that for reason. Witnessing the child coming out might change the man’s sexual perception of his woman. And at the worst scenario – for good. Complaints about sexual dysfunction related to childbirth experiences are reality, too.

Obviously, the issue is very sensitive and needs careful consideration before making any decision. There is no better advice than given by those who had the experience themselves. So maybe we can share with those who’s about to decide.

Source of the image: flickr.com/photos/cdallot.