There are two main categories of reasons preventing expectant mothers from choosing natural childbirth. The first category is "obstetric factors," which simply refer to situations where vaginal delivery is unsuitable due to the physiological conditions of the fetus and the mother. The other category is "medical conditions," where some pregnant women develop uncommon medical issues that make natural childbirth inadvisable.
Pregnant women with severe hepatitis should not opt for vaginal delivery.
1. Pregnancy complicated by heart disease Congenital heart disease during pregnancy can lead to heart failure, hypoxia with cyanosis, venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. Severe cases may result in maternal death. Therefore, severe cases should avoid pregnancy, and those already pregnant should undergo early termination.
For milder cases, doctors will plan delivery in advance during late pregnancy, opting for cesarean section at an appropriate time. The physical exertion during natural labor can increase cardiac burden, potentially triggering life-threatening heart failure.
2. Severe Hepatitis
While vaginal delivery is generally feasible for common hepatitis B and C infections, cesarean delivery should be performed promptly to save the mother's life if her condition deteriorates. This includes signs such as loss of appetite, ascites, rapidly worsening jaundice, markedly abnormal liver function, progressive liver atrophy, hepatic odor, coagulation disorders with bleeding tendencies, or severe complications like hepatic encephalopathy and acute renal failure due to hepatorenal syndrome.
3. Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
This condition represents a common obstetric complication involving hematologic disorders. Pre-pregnancy manifestations typically include menorrhagia and gingival bleeding. When fetal thrombocytopenia is detected during late pregnancy, vaginal delivery is contraindicated to reduce the risk of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage; cesarean section is recommended.Hyperthyroidism
For women with worsening hyperthyroidism in late pregnancy, cesarean delivery is the preferred option after active treatment of the underlying condition to prevent thyroid crisis.
5. Severe Genitourinary Infections
Conditions like genital warts may cause birth canal obstruction or pose infection risks to the newborn during delivery, making cesarean delivery the preferred choice.
6. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Approximately 5% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes, with the primary risk being macrosomia (large baby). This may necessitate the use of forceps or vacuum extraction during vaginal delivery.
Previously, expectant mothers worried about whether they were getting enough nutrition during pregnancy and whether the baby's needs were being met. But now, this is an unnecessary concern. Most babies are not undernourished, but rather overnourished. From the very beginning of pregnancy, expectant mothers are often protected by their families, consuming various nutritional supplements while getting insufficient exercise. This makes it easy to gain too much weight, resulting in an oversized baby in the womb and ultimately necessitating a cesarean section for delivery.Therefore, I began monitoring my weight early on, aiming to limit total pregnancy weight gain to 12-15 kilograms. This target was set based on expert advice and my personal physical condition.
Expert guidance: The ideal weight gain during pregnancy is approximately 2 kilograms in the first trimester (up to 3 months), 5 kilograms each in the second trimester (3-6 months) and third trimester (7-9 months), totaling around 12 kilograms.Gaining over 20 kg throughout pregnancy risks the baby becoming too large. However, being tall and sturdy myself, I anticipated my baby might be slightly larger than average and likely exceed the ideal range. This led me to set a slightly more flexible target for myself.
Managing weight in the first trimester is relatively easy. Those experiencing morning sickness may even lose a few pounds during this period, while those without significant symptoms won't gain much either. The real challenge lies in managing and controlling weight during the middle and late stages.
After morning sickness subsides, expectant mothers often regain their appetite and find everything incredibly delicious. During this stable phase, improper dietary choices or unhealthy eating habits can lead to nutritional imbalances, potentially causing unintended weight gain.
In the third trimester, mothers typically begin preparing for delivery or experience reduced workloads and activity levels. This shift in lifestyle rhythm makes weight gain common, marking a period of rapid increase.In my own experience, weight surged most rapidly during this final stretch—I once gained over 2 jin (approximately 1 kg) in a single week.
Fortunately, weight measurement is a standard part of every prenatal checkup. Tracking this data is crucial for managing pregnancy weight. During the late stages, average weekly weight gain should be around 300 grams, with a maximum of 500 grams.
Around week 34, hospitals typically require senior physicians to perform pelvic measurements. Combined with the doctor's assessment of the fetus's shape and size through abdominal palpation, along with estimated fetal weight, this evaluation determines whether the mother can safely deliver vaginally. If the doctor anticipates the baby will exceed 4 kilograms (medically termed a macrosomic infant), the risk of difficult labor significantly increases. In such cases, a cesarean section is generally recommended.
Secondly, appropriate exercise such as prenatal gymnastics is beneficial.
Prenatal exercises not only aid in managing pregnancy weight but also facilitate smoother delivery. This is because:
1. Gymnastics enhances the tension and elasticity of abdominal, lumbar, and pelvic floor muscles while relaxing joints and ligaments. This promotes muscle relaxation during labor, reduces resistance in the birth canal, and allows the fetus to pass through more quickly.Research indicates that women who consistently practice prenatal exercises experience significantly higher rates of normal vaginal delivery and shorter labor compared to those who do not. 2. Prenatal exercises alleviate fatigue and stress in expectant mothers, boosting confidence in natural childbirth.
Of course, pregnancy is a unique physiological process. Expectant mothers should pay attention to exercise duration, intensity, and proper warm-ups to prevent overexertion and avoid uterine contractions. Additionally, prenatal exercises are not recommended for those with a history of habitual miscarriage, premature birth, placenta previa in the current pregnancy, or severe medical complications.At my first session, I was surprised to see so many expectant mothers participating. We listened to the instructor's explanations while watching demonstration videos, then began practicing on our own. I found it very effective—after each session, my body felt naturally relaxed and my limbs stretched.
Third, prepare knowledge for natural childbirth.
Fear arises from the unknown, but understanding inevitably reduces anxiety and worry.Childbirth is a normal, natural process. We should trust nature's power and our own potential, embracing the full experience of motherhood with confidence. After going through this journey, you'll be proud of your strength and courage!
Within this knowledge base, understanding the stages of natural labor and learning effective breathing techniques for a smooth delivery are crucial. Slow breathing remarkably stabilizes emotions, promotes relaxation, and facilitates progress.Moreover, focused breathing shifts attention away from pain, thereby alleviating abdominal discomfort. Additionally, learning breathing techniques helps expectant mothers understand the progression of labor, enabling them to approach childbirth with greater confidence.
During the first stage of labor, mothers typically experience contractions, with cervical dilation reaching 1-3 centimeters. Contractions occur at intervals of 5-10 minutes.The uterus begins contracting. Start with one deep breath, then inhale slowly through the nose and exhale slowly through the mouth. Begin breathing in a 3-beat rhythm, which helps maintain calmness in both mind and body.As the pain intensifies, faster breathing may provide relief. Try a 2-beat breathing pattern: take one deep breath, then inhale for half a beat and exhale for half a beat. During the third stage when pushing begins, the cervix dilates to 8-9 cm, with contractions occurring every 2-3 minutes. When a contraction starts, first take a deep breath. After inhaling, exhale quickly twice, then on the third breath, exhale deeply.
By the fourth stage of labor, you'll be on the delivery table with cervical dilation at 10 cm and contractions occurring every 1-2 minutes. You'll be ready to push. Follow your midwife's instructions: when told to push, exhale while exerting force toward your pelvic floor. After exhaling, inhale through your nose—never hold your breath while pushing.
Key Considerations for Natural Birth
First: Uterine Contractions.
Generally, stronger contractions accelerate labor. However, factors like the mother's age, physical condition, and the baby's weight can influence contraction strength. Therefore, the feasibility of natural birth largely depends on this factor.
Second: Pelvic Size.