Is childbirth painful? Does it require a doctor to press hard on your belly?

When it comes to the greatness of maternal love, we can't avoid talking about the pain of childbirth. There are too many descriptions of the heart-wrenching pain of mothers giving birth. Some movies and TV dramas will try to portray it realistically to achieve a shocking effect. Then many friends who are not mothers or fathers will ask whether it hurts to give birth? How painful is it?

Is childbirth painful?

If you choose a vaginal birth

Giving birth is a process that can be long or short. If you choose natural childbirth and wait for the cervix to open naturally before giving birth, it will be very painful. In addition, natural childbirth requires episiotomy, which is also a factor that aggravates the pain. In short, natural childbirth is very painful, but recovery after delivery is relatively fast.

People who choose cesarean section

For those who choose caesarean section, it is recommended to use an analgesic pump to relieve pain and discomfort. However, during the post-care period, the recovery from caesarean section is relatively slow, because rubbing the belly to expel lochia is also extremely painful. If conditions permit, it is recommended to choose painless delivery, which can minimize the pain caused by childbirth.

What are some ways to relieve labor pains:

1. Massage.

Applying a little external pressure can help women relieve the pain before delivery. Even if you don't feel this counter pressure to relieve your pain, a husband who can massage your feet or hands can distract you and make you feel loved. This is the best way for a husband to cheer his wife up.

2. Activities.

Taking a walk, changing your position, or swaying your body can not only help relieve your pain, but also use the effect of gravity to speed up the labor process.

3. Relax.

The most relaxing thing during childbirth is your emotions. Because when you are afraid of pain, your muscles will tense up, which will make you feel more pain. You should try your best to stay calm and enjoy this last period of pregnancy if you can. If you can face it with a relaxed attitude, you will smoothly enter the next important stage - childbirth.

4. Breathe.

To stay relaxed, pay special attention to your breathing, the same way you would when lifting something heavy. Whether you take a gasp or a deep breath, as long as you focus on your breathing, you will find relaxation. Don't be ashamed and tense if your breathing makes loud noises.

5. Hydrotherapy.

Warm water has a huge effect on relieving pain. In addition to bathing in a tub, don't ignore the effect of showering, because the warm water can not only relax your body, but also massage it. However, some doctors may recommend not entering the water in the early stages of labor because it will delay the entire labor process.

What is the common sense about postpartum recovery?

1. Environment

The living environment of the mother should be quiet, comfortable and sunny. The room should be ventilated regularly (but avoid convection wind) to ensure fresh air and provide enough oxygen for the baby and mother. The room temperature should generally be maintained at 18-22 degrees and the humidity at 60%-65%.

2. Rest

Postpartum recovery requires adequate rest time, otherwise the mother will experience anxiety, fatigue, depression, and affect the secretion of milk. In addition, try to get 10 hours of sleep every day, and sleep in a side-lying position to facilitate the recovery of the uterus.

3. Diet

The gastrointestinal motility is weak after childbirth, so you should eat light, easily digestible, nutritious food in the first few days after childbirth. Drink more soup to help with milk production; eat more fruits and vegetables to supplement the vitamins needed by the human body. Breastfeeding mothers should also supplement calcium-containing foods or calcium supplements. The diet should be balanced, eat less spicy food, and add appropriate snacks in addition to the three meals.

4. Postpartum activities

You can sit in bed for a while 8 hours after delivery. If the delivery goes smoothly, you can get out of bed and go to the toilet 12 hours after delivery. You can move freely within 24 hours after delivery, but avoid standing, squatting or doing heavy work for a long time to prevent uterine prolapse. You can gradually resume normal work 8 weeks after delivery. Postpartum gymnastics can help you recover your body shape.

5. Cleanliness and hygiene

Personal hygiene is very important for parturients. The sanitary stickers and perineal pads used must be disinfected. They should also take frequent baths and change underwear frequently to keep their skin clean and dry. If there is an episiotomy and the stitches have not been removed, the vulva should be scrubbed once a day.

6. Pay attention to changes in lochia

The vaginal discharge after childbirth is called lochia, which contains blood, necrotic uterine decidua and mucus.

7. Restoration of sexual life

If it is a normal birth, you can generally resume sexual life after 8 weeks, and if it is a caesarean section, it will generally take 3 months to resume. During this period, you must do a good job of contraception.