The successful birth of a child depends not only on the professionalism of the staff, but also on the individual characteristics of the female body. In particular, the preparation of the cervix for childbirth, which is usually carried out in the last weeks of pregnancy, plays an important role. It includes medicines prescribed by doctors and independent preventive measures available to everyone at home. Both of these aspects make it possible to avoid ruptures of this organ and provide an easier, without complications, flow of the birth process.
Normal maturation of the cervix occurs by the 38th week of pregnancy. If by this time, according to diagnostic data, it turns out to be immature (“oak”, as gynecologists say), a decision is made to carry out various procedures and prescribe medications. Their goal is to stimulate the maturation process of this organ. To date, medical and procedural preparation of the cervix for childbirth in the maternity hospital includes the following appointments.
Antispasmodics
If the cervix does not mature due to excessive muscle tension, 2 weeks before delivery, doctors prescribe antispasmodics to the expectant mother. They relax, relieve pain and tension, promote the elasticity of the walls of the vagina, which stimulates the maturation of the organ. Only a doctor can prescribe drugs to prepare the cervix for childbirth - you can’t drink them on your own without his permission. This can lead to undesirable and most deplorable consequences. Most often, treatment is carried out with the following medications:
- suppositories for preparing the cervix for childbirth are very popular: with belladonna, buscopan, colposeptin or papaverine - they are actively absorbed and do not irritate the gastric mucosa, although in some cases they are not as effective as other drugs;
- the best antispasmodic pills for preparing the cervix for childbirth are the familiar no-shpa: they will not harm the fetus, but some in the last weeks of pregnancy have a stomach rejection of these antispasmodics;
- rarely, but still in especially severe cases, the cervix is prepared for childbirth with mifepristone - a very powerful and effective drug that is taken only under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital.
Depending on the state of health of the woman and the individual characteristics of her body, the doctor prescribes either suppositories, or injections, or pills to prepare the cervix for childbirth so that it ripens in time.
Prostaglandins
In certain cases, a pregnant woman is injected into the cervical canal with various drugs, which include prostaglandins. These include, for example, such a gel for preparing the cervix for childbirth, such as Prepidil. Under its action, the muscle walls relax and soften, which leads to the full maturation of the organ.
physical stimulation
It is not always exclusively medical preparation of the cervix for childbirth: it can be replaced by massage or acupuncture procedures.
If by the 38th week the expectant mother is diagnosed with softening of the cervix, doctors prescribe one of the above methods. This allows you to bring her into the right state, treat her so that in the last days before the birth of the child, she does not harm him, but helps.
At the same time, women should understand that it is very dangerous to prescribe any medication for themselves for this. Even the preparation of the cervix for childbirth with noshpoy should take place under the strict and regular supervision of a specialist. Although pregnant women can take care of this in advance and take a number of useful preventive measures well before the 38th week.
Home preventive measures
A month before the expected birth of the baby, the cervix is prepared for childbirth at home, if the woman is worried that there will be some problems with her. However, having decided on at least one of the methods described below, pregnant women are strongly advised to first consult with their attending and supervising physician.
- Regular sex life is the best preparation of the uterus for childbirth, explained quite scientifically. During this process, a good massage occurs, preparing the walls of the vagina for stretching. Orgasm trains the muscles of the uterus and is a trigger for childbirth, considered an excellent natural stimulation.
- If the doctor allows, you can start taking evening primrose oil orally a month before the baby is born. It is sold in pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. From 36 to 37 weeks, the expectant mother should drink 1 capsule per day, starting from 38 - 2 capsules. This unique drug is rich in fatty acids, which actively contribute to the production of prostaglandin, which ensures the timely maturation of the cervix.
- These same fatty acids are found in high amounts in fish, so a month before giving birth, it will be beneficial to include it in your diet every day.
- Careful, gentle and gentle massage of the nipples 3 times a day (duration - no more than 5 minutes) a month before the birth of a child is another sure way to prepare the cervix for such an important event. This fact is also explained very simply: as a result of such stimulation of the nipples in the body of a pregnant woman, oxytocin is produced - a hormone necessary for the timely and full onset of labor.
All home methods of preparing the cervix for childbirth are quite effective, but only if the consultation of a gynecologist was first obtained. The same applies to folk recipes.
Traditional medicine
There are also a number of effective folk remedies that can prepare the cervix for childbirth. So that they do not harm the body of a pregnant woman, their independent use at home requires permission from a specialist.
- Decoction of raspberry leaves
Dried raspberry leaves (1 tablespoon) or fresh (then 2 tablespoons) are crushed, poured with 1 liter of water and placed in an enamel bowl on fire. After boiling, cover with a lid and leave in this form for a couple of hours. Then the already cooled broth is filtered. It is recommended to take from the 38th week, 100 ml, three times a day before the main meals. Continue until the birth.
- Rosehip infusion
Dry rose hips (150 g) are placed in an enamel bowl, poured with 1 liter of boiling water, left in this form for a couple of hours to infuse. After that, the resulting infusion is filtered. It is taken starting from the 36th week, 200 ml before breakfast on an empty stomach.
- hawthorn tincture
Ready hawthorn tincture can be purchased at any pharmacy. The correct dosage of this remedy is 2 drops for every 10 kg of weight. Before use, the infusion is dissolved in boiled chilled water. Drink 1 hour before breakfast and dinner. Reception is recommended to start 2 weeks before the expected birth.
- Decoction of strawberries
100 g of fresh strawberries, 2 tablespoons of crushed leaves of the same berry are mixed, placed in an enamel bowl, poured with a liter of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cook for another hour. It is filtered. A small amount of natural honey is added. It is recommended to drink about a liter of strawberry broth per day. Start around 37-38 weeks pregnant.
Do not panic and worry that your body is not ready for the birth of a baby. A diagnostic examination a couple of weeks before the expected date will reveal problems, and the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment. These can be both medical methods (pills, gels, injections, suppositories to prepare the cervix for childbirth), and home preventive measures. Everything must be applied competently and with the permission of specialists. Only in this case, there will be no problems with delivery at the very last moment.
