Childbirth
Childbirth is an incredibly special and exciting event in your life. It does not matter whether it is your first child, or whether you have given birth before. Every birth is unique and it is impossible to predict how it will go. Co-operation between mother and baby with the support of your partner, mother or friend and the midwife tailored to your needs is very important.
We supervise the pregnancy and delivery if your pregnancy is without complications. Different positions during childbirth have a positive effect and give you space to discover what you like. We supervise many bath deliveries at our practice. The warmth of the water contributes to relaxation, which has a positive effect on natural birth.
In most cases there is a choice where you want to give birth. Sometimes there is medical advice to give birth at hospital, if the risk of medical complications is higher. In that case, the gynaecologist may supervise part of the pregnancy and delivery. You can also indicate what you like and do not like. It is important that you feel comfortable at the place where you are going to give birth. We are happy to give advice and see what you need from us.
Preparation
Een goede voorbereiding op de bevalling kan angst en onzekerheid verminderen of wegnemen. Hierdoor kun je tijdens de bevalling beter ontspannen. Die ontspanning zorgt ervoor dat je minder last van de pijn hebt en je weeën beter doorzetten, waardoor je bevalling vlotter verloopt.
- Bespreek je wensen rondom de bevalling met ons. We plannen een gesprek om alles rustig te bespreken. We leggen uit wat je kunt verwachten en horen graag wat je van ons nodig hebt. Het maken van een geboorteplan kan behulpzaam zijn maar is niet noodzakelijk.
- On the website deverloskundige.nl vind je betrouwbare informatie over wat je te wachten staat.
- In de regio zijn er een aantal mogelijkheden om je goed op de bevalling voor te bereiden. Denk aan zwangerschapsyoga, Zwangerfit, zwangerschapszwemmen, Hypnobirthing en haptonomie. Tijdens de controles in de zwangerschap komen we hier op terug.
- Participate in Centering Pregnancy at our practice.
Bath birth
A bath or water birth is a birth that takes place partially or completely in the water. You can sit in the water during the dilation phase. The warm water ensures that you relax, causing the body to produce endorphins. This substance provides a natural analgesic effect. Other advantages are the weightlessness that makes it easy to change position, less chance of a tear or cut, and a calmer birth for your baby.
We have a birthing bath at the birth centre. And it is also possible to borrow a free birthing bath from us for use at your home. For this, you will be required to purchase a package from us that contains necessary items when using the birthing bath at your home i.e., a liner for the bath, long surgical gloves and other items we need for you personally.
Pijn
Calling instructions
There are a number of situations when we think it is important that you contact us. Childbirth can announce itself in different ways:
Contractions: Labour usually starts with contractions. These may be irregular and moderate in effect at first. Try not to fixate yourself too much on the birth and try to find distraction. This phase may take a while and the contractions may even subside. Try a warm shower or bath and try to relax as much as possible. As labour progresses, regularity and strength increase. Dilation contractions are every 4-5 minutes and last about a minute. If you are giving birth to your first child, please call us when the contractions are 3-5 minutes apart for 1 to 2 hours. If you have already given birth, call us when the contractions are strong and are every 5 minutes. The feeling of having “good contractions” will be very recognizable for most women. Trust that feeling and then contact us.
Amniotic fluid loss: It is also possible that labour starts with the rupture of the membranes. Check the colour of the amniotic fluid: normal amniotic fluid is clear/pink in colour and sometimes has white flakes. If it is green or brown, we recommend that you call us immediately. It is possible that your baby has defecated in the amniotic fluid and we want to check the condition of your baby as soon as possible.
As soon as you feel that the water has broken, try to collect some amniotic fluid in a maternity bandage from the maternity package and keep it until the midwife has visited.
Bright red blood loss: Always contact us in case of bright red blood loss. It is important for us to know how much blood loss is involved. Keep it until the midwife has seen it. You can also lose the mucus plug in the last weeks of your pregnancy. Without contractions, this does not have to be a sign that labour has started. You do not have to call us.
Signs of premature delivery: When labour seems to start before 37 weeks (i.e. if you have regular contractions, or if you are losing amniotic fluid) it is important to call us immediately.
It is also important to call us when there is:
Less fetal movement: From 28 weeks of pregnancy it is normal that your baby moves every day. Every pregnant woman experiences this differently, in terms of frequency and intensity. If the movements are suddenly much less frequent and you are worried, always contact us.
Anxiety: Sometimes it happens that you are worried. Know that you can always call us.
Supplies
- Maternity package;
- 2 metal baby water bottles;
- Bed linen and po (these can be borrowed for free at Medipoint);
- Digital thermometer;
- Mattress protection;
- 10 hydrophilic diapers;
- Grey garbage bags and 2 buckets;
- Well-directed light source (e.g. flashlight);
- Wash bowl;
- Photo and/or film camera;
- Bag with supplies for a possible hospital birth (see outpatient delivery).
- Clothing for the delivery;
- Clothes for going home;
- Toiletries;
- Nightwear;
- Slippers;
- Baby clothes: 2 rompers with long or half-length sleeves, 2 hats, sweater, pants, socks, jacket, shawl, blanket or footmuff for the Maxi-Cosi;
- Maxi-Cosi;
- Photo and/or film camera;
- Mobile phone charger;
- Pregnancy card.