Hospital tour pregnancy questions: Questions to Ask During Labor and Delivery Tour

Posted on 2 октября, 2023 by alexxlab

25 Questions to Ask on Your Maternity Hospital Tour

If you’re an expecting parent with an upcoming hospital delivery, you might wonder if you should schedule a hospital tour beforehand. If your hospital offers this, it’s a great idea to get one scheduled. Familiarizing yourself with the hospital before delivery is one way to ease your mind for an otherwise unpredictable and long, stressful day.

You can test run where to park, identify the quickest way to enter, know where the emergency room entrance is just in case, and overall feel more confident when it’s go time. In addition, going on a hospital tour is the perfect way to get all your questions answered.

We asked Dr. Rachel Shepherd, MD, OB-GYN, and Jana Ohara, Registered Nurse and former Director of Patient Safety at University Health Systems, what questions someone should ask on a maternity hospital tour. Here’s what they recommend.

What questions should you ask on your hospital tour?

Can I see the labor and postpartum room?
Is this a teaching hospital? *A teaching hospital is a hospital or medical center that provides medical education and training to future and current health professionals. Teaching hospitals are almost always affiliated with one or more universities and are often co-located with medical schools.
If you’re delivering at a teaching hospital, what are your rights? Can you decline training from a student?
Do you have an antepartum unit? (Where pregnant women are admitted if needed but before they deliver)
Do you send babies to the newborn nursery or keep the babies with the mother?
Is that an added cost or included if I send my baby to the newborn nursery?
What is your hospital’s c-section rate?
Have you had any recent falls of mothers post-delivery?
Will I pre-register to help speed things up the day of delivery?
What are your current COVID-19 protocols?
How many visitors can I have in the labor room?
How many visitors can I have in the postpartum room?
What breastfeeding resources do you have?
What prenatal or parenting classes do you offer?
Are all rooms private?
Are med students able to observe delivery? If so, do I have the option to decline them inside my room?
If my baby has to go to the NICU, how long would it be until I can go to see him or her?
Where would I park on the day of delivery? *Parking can be super confusing at most hospitals, so it’s good to do a test run before your delivery.
Is outside food allowed to be delivered?
Are the meals included if I order food from the hospital, or will I be billed separately?
What is the average length of stay after vaginal delivery and after a c-section?
Where do you do circumcisions? Who does them?
What non-medicinal aids do you offer to help with labor (those big bouncy ball things, bath/shower, etc.)?
Do you have in-house OBGYNs if my MD can’t make it in quickly enough?
What happens if no doctor is available? (Are the nurses competent enough to deliver the baby, and does this happen often?)

Download all 25 questions for your tour.

It’s your right to get answers to questions that are important to you— and every parent deserves to feel empowered during their delivery.

We hope these questions help you and your growing family.

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15 Important Questions To Ask

Going on a maternity hospital tour can be pretty exciting for some couples, scary for others!

Just in case your nerves get the better of you, here is a list of important questions to ask when you take a maternity hospital tour.

Remember, its important to also base your decision on how you feel and how you are treated by staff while you are in the hospital.

When you’re walking around, ask yourself, ‘how do I feel being here?’

Observe and see if you see a friendly, supportive environment, or a busy, cold, hurried one.

How you and your partner feel is very important.

So with that in mind, ask these great questions to back up how you feel:

Maternity Hospital Tour #1: What Birth Aids Do You Have Available?

When you’re in labour, just having a bed in the middle of the birth room gives you little to work with.

It can also draw you onto the bed where you may end up remaining for most of your labour, when you really need to get moving around and changing positions in order to help baby move down in to your pelvis to be born.

Find out if the maternity hospital offers birth/fit balls, floor mats, beanbags or other items to help you during labour, and how many are available – sometimes these items are shared and you can miss out on the day.

You should also check if you’ll need to bring your own music player, essential oils and heat packs – some hospitals provide them and others prefer you to bring your own.

Maternity Hospital Tour #2: What Is Your Policy With Partners Staying Overnight?

In Australia, public hospitals generally do not allow partners to stay overnight due to shared rooms and lack of space.

Some private hospitals offer the opportunity for partners to stay overnight (some for an extra fee). So if you’d prefer your partner to stay with you, this is a question you might want to ask.

If the hospital doesn’t allow it, you may feel a little down, but know that visiting hours usually do not apply to partners, so your partner can spend as much time with you as they like.

Maternity Hospital Tour #3: Is It Policy To Room In With My Baby?

Many hospitals now have policies supporting babies rooming in with their mothers during their entire stay, but it does pay to ask.

Find out if there is any reason why your baby will be taken out of your room without you, or if you will be separated at any point.

It’s so important to be as close to your baby as possible during this crucial bonding period – which you won’t ever get again.

Maternity Hospital Tour #4: What Is The Hospital’s C-Section Rate?

The World Health Organization states around 15% is an acceptable rate of c-section births, all things considered.

However many hospitals exceed this, some far more than others.

By finding out the c-section rate of a hospital, you’ll get a better idea of the hospital’s philosophy and attitude to birthing, and what sort of births staff are used to supporting.

Sadly, it’s not as common for staff to support completely natural births these days. If your hospital has a high c-section rate and you don’t have other options, it’s very wise to invest in educating and informing yourself as best possible.

Get your hands on the best support people you can find, including a well recommended doula. Educate yourself with independent birth education classes (non-hospital based) and read these great birth books.

It’s also good idea to ask for the policy on VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section), if you’ve already had a caesarean. If they are actively supportive of VBAC’s this is a very good start.

Maternity Hospital Tour #5: What Is Your Policy On Breastfeeding In Recovery?

If you have a c-section, mother-baby separation often occurs after surgery, which can be upsetting for some mothers.

As a new mother, you’ll likely be craving that skin to skin contact with your baby, and want breastfeeding to get established as soon as possible. Your baby will surely want these things too.

Some hospitals will support breastfeeding in recovery and others will not, so if this is important to you, be sure to ask.

You can also mention this in your birth plan that you’d like breastfeeding in recovery, if possible.

Maternity Hospital Tour #6: What Is Your Policy On The Third Stage Of Labour?

Once your baby has been born, the focus and excitement is right where it should be – on the baby.

However in the background – and often without you realising it while you’re in blissful babyland – doctors and midwives tend to hurry the process along, so they can clean up and move onto the next birthing woman.

The problem is, by hurrying things along, your baby is missing out on some huge health benefits by not having a physiological third stage (which is all to do with the cord and placenta).

Despite a plethora of studies reporting massive benefits (without any harm), some doctors and hospitals are still yet to adopt a policy of delayed cord clamping.

When a baby’s cord is cut immediately, the baby is robbed of 32% of his volume of blood. Thats not a typo – one third of his or her blood volume. Just a two-minute delay in cord clamping can increase a baby’s iron reserve by 27-47 mg, which is equivalent to 1-2 months of a baby’s iron requirements.

This could help to prevent iron deficiency from developing before 6 months of age. Ideally, the cord should be left alone until it has stopped pulsating. Cord milking can be done in situations where time is limited, for example, during a c-section.

Read more about the importance of delayed cord clamping here.

Find out more about The Third Stage Of Labour.

Maternity Hospital Tour #7: What Is Your Induction Rate?

Knowing a hospital’s induction rate is just as important as its c-section rate.

Why?

A high induction rate can be evidence of ‘failure to wait’ and trusting that a woman’s body will labour (in most cases).

Remember that full term pregnancy is up to 42 full weeks of pregnancy.

If the hospital’s induction rate is high, then it’s likely women are being offered inductions far too early or too frequently, or they are not being adequately informed of the risks. Find out more about induction of labour here.

Maternity Hospital Tour #8: Do You Allow Photography and/or Videography?

If you’d like to take photos and/or videos of your birth, even with your own camera, this is a must ask question.

Some hospitals and doctors have a policy of no videos at birth for legal reasons.

Maternity Hospital Tour #9: What Are Your Visiting Hours?

You’ll likely want to know visiting hours to pass on to any friends and family – of course, make sure you’re ready for visitors in your own time and don’t feel obligated to pack visitors into every minute.

You’ll be pretty tired and need your rest, and bonding time is very important.

So don’t try to please anyone else but yourself.

Maternity Hospital Tour #10: How Do You Deal With Unwanted Visitors During Birth And After?

It’s a really sucky thing when family or friends turn up when you least expect (or want) it.

As a doula, I have seen the birth process completely de-rail after parents have turned up to the birth suite, after specifically being told no.

Oh boy, you do not want to make a labouring woman angry. You can seriously impact her focus and the progress of her birth. It means her support team have to work really hard getting her back on track, in the birth zone.

Even if you say no to friends and family, sometimes it still happens. It can be upsetting to a woman in labour as well as a mother trying to get the knack of breastfeeding – complete with engorged breasts and hungry baby.

You might like to tell your hospital that if anyone turns up, it’s an absolute no and you don’t want to know about it. It’s the best way not to disturb your labour.

If you’re really worried, you may like to stick a sign on your door to remind staff that you don’t want visitors.

Maternity Hospital Tour #11: Am I Able To Leave The Room While In Labour?

It’s very important to be active during labour, so find out if you are able to move around the ward, and if there are any stairs you can walk up and down to help get labour going.

Find out about the huge benefits of an active birth.

Maternity Hospital Tour #12: Do You Have An NICU? If So, What Level?

If your baby will need special assistance or is a high risk baby, you may want to find out about their NICU (newborn intensive care) facilities.

Most big, teaching hospitals in Australia have a full level 5 NICU, so if you give birth at a hospital which has a lower level NICU, your baby may need to be transferred.

If your baby will need to be transferred, ask what the previsions are for mothers and partners, for example, if you will be separated from your baby or if the hospital will take you too.

This of course isn’t required for the majority of babies, especially if you are low risk, so you don’t need to base your decision on this one alone.

Maternity Hospital Tour #13: How Do You Feel About Doulas?

Some hospitals have started to disallow doulas attending births which is a really disappointing, considering the huge benefits they offer.

It’s a great idea to find out this in advance, even if you don’t want a doula, for two reasons.

One: because you may change your mind, and two: you get an insight into their philosophies as a hospital.

If they don’t support doulas, then it will be very telling about their birth philosophy. If they know of and value doulas, it’s a positive step.

At the end of the day, it should be the mother’s choice as to who they hire to support them, especially when it means less intervention and more support for the birthing couple.

Maternity Hospital Tour #14: What Is Your Policy With Fetal Monitoring?

This is an important question to ask, because hospitals have varied policies on monitoring.

Some hospitals will monitor you upon arrival, some every four hours, and some prefer to keep it to a minimum.

The problem with electronic fetal monitoring is that it can be very restrictive, keeping you on the bed when you will benefit so much more from being able to move your body.

Maternity wards are often busy, and sometimes midwives forget to come back and take the monitoring off after the 20 minutes they promised. So, you end up stuck in bed much longer. Studies have shown that continuous electronic fetal monitoring results in a higher rate of c-section births, without improving outcomes.

Some hospitals have policies of routine internal exams every four hours too, which is completely unnecessary. Find out more about internal exams here.

Maternity Hospital Tour #15: Under What Circumstances Would Formula Be Given And Will I Be Asked First?

Some mothers are shocked to hear their baby has been given formula without their permission, usually after a c-section.

I have also heard of babies being given formula where the mother had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

I attended a birth where a c-section was required due to placenta praevia (placenta over the cervix). In order to prevent any formula being used if surgery took longer than expected, I suggested to the mother-to-be to express some colostrum, in case she was unable to feed her baby straight away. The midwife was very happy to oblige and we stored some precious liquid gold in the fridge for her baby.

…

These are just a few important questions you might want to ask – but always think about what’s important to you. Feel free to add any questions of your own. All the best for a fabulous birth!

Questions from pregnant women • pregnancy • answers from a gynecologist

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Answers to questions prepared by gynecologists, specialists in childbirth clinic Premium Medical.

What week of pregnancy should I register and why?
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You need to register before the 12th week of pregnancy in order to do all the necessary tests, including genetic, and ultrasonoscopy. Based on this information, the doctor can timely detect and better help in case of various complications, as well as more accurately calculate the expected due date.

How many times during pregnancy will I need to visit a gynecologist? For what?
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According to the state program, visits to the gynecologist during pregnancy are provided at least 6 times, but in each case the doctor draws up an individual plan for monitoring the pregnant woman, and it often happens that additional examinations or a visit are needed. You need to go to the doctor in order to detect complications in a timely manner, which, if not eliminated, can be dangerous for both the woman and the fetus. For example, advanced urinary tract infection or anemia adversely affects fetal development, and undiagnosed and untreated diabetes or high blood pressure can even be life-threatening for the mother and fetus.

What does the gynecologist do during the monthly follow-up visit?
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During a monthly visit, the gynecologist discusses the course of pregnancy with the pregnant woman, listens to complaints, explains the results of tests, answers questions, gives recommendations on the regimen and nutrition at each stage of pregnancy, examines and evaluates the general state of health (if there is anemia, high blood pressure, edema), weighs the woman and evaluates weight gain, measures the diameter of the abdomen, which indicates adequate fetal growth, determines the position of the fetus, which is necessary for planning childbirth, sends for a urinalysis to prevent urinary tract infections that are common in pregnant women, listens to the fetal heartbeat and based on the information received, he prescribes the necessary tests or additional examinations for the next time.

Is spotting normal during pregnancy? In what cases — yes and in what — no? What to do in this case?
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Many women complain of spotting during pregnancy. In most cases, everything ends well, but discharge cannot be considered normal, because it often indicates serious problems, so you should always consult a doctor. Without a doctor’s examination, it is impossible to say whether spotting is dangerous or not.

For which sensations, complaints and symptoms, you should definitely contact your gynecologist or the nearest hospital?
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A doctor should be consulted in case of sudden, sharp, severe pain in any part of the abdomen that does not go away, in case of pulling, sharp pain in the lower abdomen, which intensifies, or bleeding. A consultation with a doctor is also necessary if there are serious symptoms not related to pregnancy, for example, prolonged, repeated vomiting, high fever (above 38.5), etc.

About Magne B6, folic acid, iron supplements and vitamins — do all pregnant women need them?
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All pregnant women before the 12th week of pregnancy should take folic acid, because it is responsible for the development of the fetal nervous system. The need for the use of other vitamins is determined by the gynecologist, depending on the time of year, diet and the general condition of the woman. Iron-containing drugs should be taken if the tests indicate anemia (including latent) or its threat. The need to take magnesium supplements is also assessed by the doctor. These drugs should not be taken by all pregnant women — you should consult your doctor.

Will I harm myself and my baby by attending pregnancy gymnastics classes?
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Gymnastics for pregnant women cannot do any harm to the baby — on the contrary. If there is no risk of abortion and the doctor allows gymnastics, it must be done. Exercising helps prepare for childbirth, reduces back pain that often occurs during pregnancy, improves overall well-being and provides additional energy.

What is 1st trimester screening? Why is it being done?
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The 1st trimester biochemical screening is a blood test that a pregnant woman takes around the 10th week of pregnancy to determine the level of PAPP-A and free b-HCG in the mother’s blood. For more accurate results, this analysis is combined with fetal ultrasonoscopy at 12-13 weeks. To make the screening results more accurate, the exact gestational age, weight and age of the pregnant woman are important, because taking into account these indicators and the results of the study, the risk of Down syndrome is calculated using a computer program.

First trimester screening identifies approximately 80% of fetal genetic abnormalities, and the number of diagnosed cases increases to 90% if fetal ultrasonography is accurate. The changes revealed by the screening method do not yet mean the presence of a congenital pathology. The purpose of screening is to timely identify a group of pregnant women at risk of giving birth to a child with genetic diseases or congenital malformations. Pregnant women from the high genetic risk group are referred to a geneticist for additional research.

How to interpret «poor» results of the first trimester screening?
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«Bad» results of biochemical screening do not yet mean that the fetus really has some kind of congenital pathology. The results only show the risk. For example, a score of 1:50 is considered high risk, which means that out of 50 women, one may have a fetus with a genetic disease. If biochemical screening and ultrasonoscopy of the first trimester state an increased genetic risk, the pregnant woman is referred for an additional examination to a geneticist.

I am 8 weeks pregnant and have a 4 cm cyst! Is it harming my pregnancy? There were pains in the lower abdomen, from the side of the back, in the side where the cyst was found.
Open

During pregnancy, the so-called corpus luteum works in the ovaries, which produces progesterone, a hormone that protects pregnancy. Sometimes it happens that a cyst forms around this corpus luteum during pregnancy. These cysts usually resolve on their own before the 16th week and are rarely operated on unless the cysts are very large. These cysts, as a rule, do not have any bad effect on the development of the fetus. The size of the cyst can be monitored by ultrasonography. The final decision on what and how to deal with the cyst will be made by your doctor, after evaluating other factors as well.

Can 4D USG (4D Fetal Imaging) be done at Premium Medical Clinic? What does it give? Does this affect the course of pregnancy?
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Yes, 4D USG can be done at Premium Medical Clinic. This does not affect either the course of pregnancy or the fetus and allows you to get an anatomical image of the fetus, examine the face (jaw anomalies), bone pathologies, heart function, etc.

What does listening to fetal heart sounds mean? When is it done and why?
Open

Fetal heart sounds from about the 12th week can be heard through the mother’s abdomen with the so-called doppler. Previously, this was done with a stethoscope. Thus, the doctor hears how fast the fetal cardiac activity is, whether it is rhythmic. This check is carried out at each visit. At the end of pregnancy, the fetal heart sounds can be recorded on paper tape — this is called cardiotocography (KTG).

KTG recording takes 15-30 minutes. There are two detectors on the woman’s abdomen: one registers the heart sounds of the fetus, the second — the activity of the uterus. The results of KTG are evaluated by a specialist on a 10-point scale. KTG at the end of pregnancy is a good and easy test to check the health of the fetus. If the KTG is low, the doctor knows how to act to help the fetus. If the KTG readings are good, then the fetus is doing well at the moment.

What should I do if I am afraid of giving birth and my gynecologist thinks that I have no gynecological obstacles for natural childbirth?
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You need to understand why you are afraid of childbirth. The advice of a professional is best here — talk with your doctor, with a psychologist, attend preparatory classes. We are always afraid of the unknown, and knowledge helps to overcome fears. If you are afraid of pain, then talk to your doctor about the possibility of epidural anesthesia. If you’re afraid of being alone, look for opportunities to give birth with your chosen doctor, midwife, or «spiritual midwife». If there are no serious obstacles to this, then an easy natural birth is the best way to bring a child into the world (it is the best way for both mother and child).

How to prepare for an easier birth?
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Premium Medical gynecologist, childbirth specialist Gita Ruttasa answers.

Today, there are several ways to reduce the pain of childbirth and make the experience of childbirth easier if necessary. Although expectant mothers have this option in mind, most still want to fully experience the birth of a baby. It may seem that natural and easy childbirth do not go hand in hand, but this experience largely depends on the woman herself, on the attitude to childbirth and understanding of how it occurs. In order not to tremble with fear in anticipation of this big event, both the body and the mind must be prepared for it.

What should a mother-to-be take into account already during pregnancy in order to prepare for an easier birth?
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Expectant mothers during the entire period of pregnancy should keep in mind that the purpose of pregnancy is childbirth, and to achieve this goal, you need to prepare for the entire period of pregnancy. It is very important to be physically active during pregnancy and eat a balanced, light diet. It is no longer believed that a pregnant woman should «eat for two.» This, of course, is a woman’s dream — to eat whatever you want, without consequences, but the wrong choice of food will affect it during childbirth, and will also affect the figure of a woman after childbirth. During pregnancy, each day a woman should receive an additional 200 calories, which is equal to one bowl of grain products. Childbirth requires not only physical effort from a woman, but also a lot of emotions, so emotional preparation is very important. The expectant mother must gain calmness and determination in preparation for an important event. The more a pregnant woman is aware of the process of childbirth, the easier it is. The unknown scares us, and knowledge reduces fear.

During pregnancy, you should try to establish an emotional connection with the baby, the mother should feel with him as a whole, this will help her to obey her instincts during childbirth. Emotional connection can be achieved if you regularly talk to the child, putting one hand on the stomach in the place where the fetal head is, and with the other hand stroke the stomach and talk. The baby begins to hear from the 14th week of pregnancy. You can listen to your favorite music and play it during childbirth, which will help create a pleasant atmosphere.

Birth is the day the baby comes into the world, it is the first day of a newborn’s life, and pain is part of that wonderful process. The fuller the contractions, the easier and faster the baby is born — this must be realized and accepted. If the expectant mother has a low pain threshold, there is no need to be afraid of using epidural anesthesia or the so-called laughing gas. The most important thing is for a woman to be in harmony with what is happening.

How can you physically prepare for childbirth to make the process easier?
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To physically prepare your body for childbirth, you need to follow a diet. Many moms-to-be may frown upon hearing this, but it’s a sad truth. The period of pregnancy is not provided in order to feast on everything that the soul desires. Modern food products have a high energy value and are very seductively decorated, it is difficult to refrain from eating them. If you really want, from time to time you can afford some kind of delicacy, but observing the measure. Pregnant women should try to avoid foods with wheat and refined carbohydrates, which, unfortunately, are present in desserts, chocolate, bread, cookies, etc. Foods containing wheat lead to water retention in the body, which can contribute to swelling of the vaginal tissues and prevent easy opening and dilation of the cervix. If you refuse wheat products, the body will absorb iron better, and you will have to take less iron supplements. You should try to eat meat with salad once a day, which will help to avoid anemia — lack of iron. In the case of anemia, tissues receive less oxygen and cannot fully function, and during childbirth, a lot of energy is needed. You should also try to reduce your intake of sugar and sugar-containing foods. There may be days when you feel frustrated and angry because you can’t eat everything you want, but you need to remember that the compromise you make now will pay off in the future.

Healthy eating must be combined with physical activity. Many women cut back on physical activity as they become pregnant. At the very beginning of pregnancy, this is natural, since weakness, nausea and other phenomena that prevent physical activity are possible. However, if only laziness interferes, you should not indulge in it. During pregnancy, a woman is rapidly gaining weight, and it becomes a big burden on the bones and joints. Proper nutrition will help not to gain extra pounds, and everyday physical activity will allow you not to feel like a «ball». Walks are highly recommended. While walking, the baby’s head moves with every step, which can stretch the cervix. It is advisable to walk in a rhythmic step, but without accelerated breathing, so that the walk does not feel like a difficulty. A walk along the sea or through a pine forest will help you achieve peace and inner harmony. Swimming and water aerobics are recommended during pregnancy. Swimming helps the child to take the correct position, and also unloads the joints of the pregnant woman, this is an excellent load for the circulatory system. Gymnastics for pregnant women is also a good way to increase your physical endurance under the guidance of a specialist. To make childbirth easy, it is important that the joints in the lower back, lower back and coccyx are mobile.

From time to time a pregnancy massage should be done, focusing on the areas where you feel the most tension. You can also massage the intimate area with massage oil, lightly, in a circular motion, applying a small amount of oil to the skin of the perineum. It is advisable to use proven products so that the oil does not contain parabens, preservatives and other chemical impurities.

How can a future mother emotionally prepare herself for a big event, how to overcome fear if it arises?
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The process of childbirth is very dependent on the psycho-emotional state of the woman. The resulting fear of childbirth can be overcome by reading positive stories about childbirth, getting acquainted with the experience of other women. Sometimes you can get encouragement from a mother who has had a positive experience with childbirth. It is recommended not to read anything on the Internet about difficult, unsuccessful births. Fear is a major hindrance to easy labor because it releases adrenaline, which tightens the muscles, which can stop the cervical dilation and prevent effective contractions. Breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety and fear.

Proper breathing during childbirth will divert attention from pain and improve the oxygen supply to mother and baby. It is recommended to master diaphragmatic breathing. Sit on a chair or stand with your back straight, if you want, you can lie down on the floor, it is important that the base is hard. Place one hand on your chest, the other on your stomach, inhale slowly through your nose, counting to four. Try to push the air that you inhale into the stomach — the stomach rises like a ball. You feel the hand placed on your stomach rise. Exhale slowly through your mouth to the count of six. Light pressure of the hand on the abdomen can help the diaphragm to descend. Exercise is recommended to be performed at least 1-2 times a day daily. Only in this way will the body learn to recognize the relaxing effect of breathing. Deep breathing has a positive effect on the autonomic nervous system, reduces the symptoms of anxiety and does not allow them to grow. Note that with this breath, the exhalation should always be longer than the inhalation.

Our body instinctively knows what it has to do — it is fear and anxiety that raise their heads and make us feel nervous tension. To better prepare for the big event, you can also attend childbirth preparation courses. If you have received more information and understand how the birth process proceeds, you will not have the feeling of meeting the unknown, and this is one of the reasons for fear. Classes are a great way to involve your partner in the process of preparing for childbirth, the opportunity to get closer to him even more.

How can a partner help make childbirth easier?
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The role of a man is to support — both emotionally and physically, especially if a woman has a bad relationship with her mother, from whom she should draw positive experience and encouragement. In this case, it is desirable that this role be performed by a partner.

The father is not physically involved in the pregnancy, but his presence is extremely important for the woman. For a woman, the feeling that she is being cared for and pampered plays a very important role in the emotional preparation for childbirth. The more a pregnant woman trusts her partner, the more secure she will feel during childbirth. The woman herself manages her birth, and often the support of a partner is needed for her to realize this. Childbirth is a transition from the status of a daughter to the status of a mother, this is a time of great change for a woman, the most beautiful moment in her life!

How to avoid stretch marks and how to deal with them after childbirth?
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Premium Medical cosmetologist Marina Tkachenko answers

During pregnancy, the shape of the female body rapidly changes, it becomes fuller, in some places ruptures of connective tissues are possible. Subcutaneous tissue ruptures, or stretch marks, are caused by excessive stretching of the skin. If the skin is not elastic enough and lacks collagen, then in places that react most quickly to weight changes (anterior and lateral walls of the abdomen, thighs, forearms), we can observe the formation of stretch marks. Stretch marks are not only dependent on the elasticity of the skin, they are influenced by a number of factors — the woman’s age, heredity, general health and lifestyle, as well as the time and attention paid to skin care during pregnancy. Although you cannot completely prevent stretch marks, you can cosmetically reduce their formation, reduce the area, even out them and achieve the skin looking young and firm.

What can be done to reduce the risk of stretch marks?
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To avoid the formation of stretch marks, you need to think about skin care during pregnancy in a timely manner. Preventive skin care is the most effective way to avoid stretch marks and other problems. It is important to skillfully use the resources that we already have in us so that we do not have to deal with the problem in an artificial way. Prevention is based on a healthy lifestyle.

A healthy and balanced diet is the first step to good health and appearance. The body, taking healthy food, receives all the vitamins and nutrients it needs, vitamins A, D3, E, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids will take care of the skin condition. To be sure that her diet is balanced and complete, a woman can go to a consultation with a nutrition specialist who will talk in more depth about the principles of proper nutrition. If you still have to take additional vitamins, this will be reported by a doctor who monitors your state of health. It is also very important to drink enough water so that the body functions fully and the skin is provided with the right level of hydration.

Since the received vitamins and nutrients are mainly spent on the normal functioning of the body, very little remains for the skin. The main function of the skin is protective, so we must additionally help it to be in good shape using various cosmetic products. Already from the first months of pregnancy, it is recommended to smear the body with cream or body oil. The offer of body care products is very wide, you can buy special creams against stretch marks, but the nourishing and moisturizing cream that we use on a daily basis is also suitable for this. The most important thing is not only to apply cream or oil to the body, but also to massage it thoroughly, giving the process more time and attention. This is how you care for and show love not only to the unborn child, but also to your body.

Contrast showers, Charcot showers are also excellent prophylactic measures, if only these procedures are pleasant for the expectant mother and do not cause discomfort. Do not forget about physical activity, you should be in the fresh air as much as possible, take long walks or go to therapeutic exercises.

If stretch marks still form, can they be reduced by any procedures, cosmetics?
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If stretch marks are nevertheless formed and there is a desire to reduce them, it is advisable to do this as soon as possible, while the stretch marks are relatively fresh and easier to correct. If you are a breastfeeding mother, you should consult your doctor before undertaking any cosmetic procedures.

One of the most common treatments for reducing stretch marks is body massage. Depending on the type of massage, it will help restore skin elasticity after childbirth, strengthen muscles, stimulate skin blood circulation, which in turn promotes the formation of collagen. To improve skin tone, wraps, vacuum massage, lymphatic drainage massage, body peeling (AHA, chemical and abrasive peeling) are recommended to help reduce stretch marks. It should be noted that these procedures are carried out in a course, one or two times will not be enough. Also, body treatments should be combined with regular physical activity (walking, swimming in the pool, therapeutic exercises) and a balanced, healthy diet.

Body mesotherapy is often used to reduce stretch marks. These are subcutaneous injections of natural, biologically active substances that stimulate the self-healing of the skin, contribute to its elasticity and tone. The procedure uses microneedles, through which extracts of plant and animal origin, vitamins, amino acids and minerals are injected under the skin, which in the form of injections act much more effectively than traditional cosmetics. Getting under the skin, active substances act on certain places — mesotherapeutic preparations are injected in small doses precisely into problem areas. Depending on the desired effect, you can choose different mesotherapy cocktails. This procedure is carried out in a course, and then prevention is desirable — a repetition of the procedure every 3-6 months.

One of the most advanced treatments for effectively reducing stretch marks is Plasmolifting, or I-PRF. This is a progressive treatment method that helps to restore the skin and improve its condition. The main advantage of this method is the absence of side effects, because the patient’s own blood is used, to which no other chemicals are added. Thus, there is no risk of allergic reactions and infections. This is a reliable and natural method that allows you to improve the condition and appearance of the skin, using the resources of the patient. In addition, during the procedure, the patient feels only slight discomfort, because thin needles are used, which practically do not cause pain. During the procedure, after checking the patient’s health status, blood (approximately 15-30 ml) is taken from a vein, and valuable, platelet-rich plasma is separated from it using a centrifuge. The separated plasma is injected into problem areas by injection. In a small amount of blood, the concentration of platelet and stem cell growth factors is much higher, and they act on the problem area. I-PRF plasma in cosmetology is used to restore and revitalize dry, tired skin, improve the condition of problem skin in case of scars and stretch marks.

Holidays and travel during pregnancy

Before planning a trip, be sure to consult a gynecologist whom you trust to manage your pregnancy. He will prescribe tests and ultrasound to exclude placental pathologies, anemia, gestosis and many other problems in which long-distance travel is not recommended. Bleeding and miscarriages in history are also on the list of contraindications. In addition, safety and comfort also depend on the gestational age.

IMPORTANT: CORONAVIRUS AND PREGNANCY

At the moment, there is no confirmed information that pregnant women are more or less susceptible to infection with COVID-19 coronavirus infection than others. However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention* reminds that due to changes in the immune system and emotional state, pregnant women are generally more prone to viral respiratory diseases, so be sure to take all measures to protect yourself. First of all, avoid traveling to high-risk countries. So, for example, by decree of the Mayor of Moscow «On high alert mode», citizens arriving from Italy, Iran, Spain, France, Germany, South Korea and China must ensure home quarantine (self-isolation at home) for a period of 14 days and provide their contact information to hotline of the city of Moscow. In fact, the list of countries with coronavirus is longer. Recently, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Great Britain, Switzerland got into it — before making a decision on a trip, look for information about in which countries the coronavirus was found in reliable sources on the Internet, for example, on the WHO website or the official website of the Mayor of Moscow.

To prevent infection, pregnant women should take the same measures as everyone else: wash their hands more often and treat them with disinfectants, avoid crowded places, try not to touch your face, wear a mask or respirator in public places, minimize contacts, etc. ** There is not enough data yet to say for sure whether COVID-19 is transmitted from a pregnant woman to her child. But it is reported that at the moment there are no cases of transmission of the virus from an infected mother to the fetus during pregnancy, during or immediately after childbirth.

What is the best trimester to travel?

Traveling in the first trimester will not be a pleasant memory for every pregnant woman. Many are tormented by toxicosis, an acute reaction to stuffiness and odors, and increased fatigue. Any discomfort can be annoying — if you encounter this during the planning stage of your trip, consider alternative options. Also at an early stage, when the main organs and systems of the fetus are formed, pregnancy is most vulnerable. But it is important to understand that many women travel in the early stages of pregnancy without problems (moreover, some do not know about their situation), go on business trips, go to new places and have a great time there.

Weeks 14 to 27 are considered the safest and most comfortable time to travel if the mother-to-be is well. It is only important not to stay in the sun for a long time, not to abuse exotic foods (especially those prepared from animal products without heat treatment), to avoid crowded resorts , on the territory of which intestinal and other infections are raging.

In the third trimester (from the 28th week) there are restrictions related to flights: many airlines do not allow women on board whose pregnancy is 36 weeks or more, and even earlier in case of multiple pregnancy. Sometimes airlines even ask expectant mothers to provide certificates indicating the current gestational age. Starting from the 28th week, airline representatives have the right to ask you to present certificate that you are allowed to fly.

Another nuance is that childbirth on the territory of a foreign state can turn into difficulties when returning to your homeland. For example, a baby born in Greece automatically becomes a citizen of this country, and in order to travel with him, you will have to overcome many legal delays.

Choosing a place to rest

Good rest during pregnancy includes sleep, outdoor activities and good nutrition. So you can have a good and calm time in the nearest holiday homes, boarding houses, park hotels and eco-camps. Now many hotels offer special vacation programs for expectant mothers.

If you want not only to relax, but also to gain new experiences, you should choose the direction of travel according to its ecological and epidemiological situation, as well as the level of medicine. Don’t forget to take out good travel insurance — take one that includes services for pregnant women (if you take out a policy online, make sure that it is designed for expectant mothers).

If you are purchasing a packaged tour, please note that the standard package does not usually cover maternity cases. Contact the tour operator to clarify the possibility of changing the terms of insurance.

Be sure to read the reviews on the Internet about medical care in the selected country — how quickly you can get help, how childbirth is in local maternity hospitals.

Which transport is preferable?

The main condition for traveling during pregnancy is the ability to get up and walk a little at any time. All types of transport (sometimes even tourist buses, but this is not for everybody) meet this criterion. But the train, and the plane, and the car have features that need to be taken into account.

The main convenience of this method of transportation is that you can stop at any time to warm up and quickly get to the nearest hospital or maternity hospital in case of unforeseen circumstances.

But there are also disadvantages — in the later stages it can be uncomfortable to sit in a chair for even half an hour in a row, besides, some pregnant women can get motion sickness in a car. Special pillows for the back and neck, comfortable air conditioning, as well as a seat belt adapter for pregnant women will facilitate the journey. It removes the load from the abdomen, does not press, does not rub and fixes firmly, ensuring safety.

Train

The train makes it possible to change position at least every five minutes — to sit, lie down, walk around. It is better to sit on the bottom shelf and take care of your personal hygiene to the maximum — take antibacterial gel and wipes, toilet pads, slippers, and a toothbrush with you. The negative aspects of traveling by rail are obvious — it is much slower than an airplane, and changing the route or making an unplanned situation, like by car, simply will not work.

Aircraft

The main advantages of traveling by plane are speed and safety. The cons relate mainly to health hazards and airline regulations.

If the doctor has approved the flight, this is only the first step to a successful journey. Although there is no scientific evidence that air travel increases the risk of preterm birth or has a negative effect on the fetus, airlines play it safe to avoid emergency landings and additional costs. As mentioned above, many airlines have strict rules for flying while pregnant. It is better to consult about the prohibitions on the carriage of pregnant women before buying a ticket from a tour operator or directly from the air carrier.

What should be considered before the holiday?

Make an appointment with your doctor one week before your holiday. Be sure to let us know where and how you want to go: doctors have life hacks in stock that you didn’t know about.

Specify which of the medicines can be taken during pregnancy if you become ill in transport, in the heat, in case of poisoning, cystitis, candidiasis or a cold; what first aid may be needed for standard ailments during pregnancy — swelling, pulling pains in the abdomen, headache, heartburn.