[last update]

1) Intent

My wife and I planned to give birth at home and, as a backup plan, a maternity hospital in Brandýs nad Labem. We chose it thanks to the recommendation of Zuzana Štromerová, to whom we attended a substantial part of antenatal check-ups. Unfortunately, around November, the maternity hospital in BnL got into financial trouble and did not accept further births. On the recommendation of Ivana Königsmarková, we chose an alternative maternity hospital in Mělník.

2) Midwife

It is really good to choose a midwife with whom you will feel good and you will understand not only the factual side of things, but also the mutual empathy. We are really grateful to Zuzana that she took care of us all the time from June to December. She helped us a lot several times and supported us when my wife was 22nd and not sure if the pregnancy would continue.

In December, we asked Zuzana if she felt like being with us at the birth. We did not feel unequivocal support, so we finally decided to contact Maria Vnoučková. It was all in a hurry, but we agreed that if he had time in January and everything went smoothly, he would be with us.

3) Prenatal preparation

I went to antenatal care with my wife. I definitely recommend it to other men as well. It helped me a lot. He was then able to orient himself better in what was going on and what would follow. During the birth process, a woman is really not able to be "logical" and is very emotional. It's important to her.

We went to Ivana Königsmark for prenatal preparation. It was worthwhile for us to record the lecture and recall important facts just before the birth. Ivana is very good at directing and clarifying what is happening or can happen and what our options are - how to behave.

4) Date of delivery and time of delivery

The date of birth is the expected date at which the child is to be born. It is a mathematical estimate based on the statistical fact that babies are usually born around the 40th week of pregnancy. The term is derived from the last menstrual period, even though you will clearly know when the conception took place.

Be aware that there are four weeks between the last menstruation and the next that has not occurred. So the baby can be born spontaneously between the 40th and 44th week and it will definitely not be a transfer. Expect doctors to use the words "transmission" and "induction of labor" very often at the end of pregnancy. In the words of Ivana Königsmark: "no child has yet been absorbed". Type threats: He will have a very large head and will not fit in the birth canals, they are also nonsense. Unlike others, the baby's head has a loose skull bone before birth, so it can easily adapt to the birth canal and stretch. It just holds that the bigger the baby, the longer he does it can last.

Above all, it takes absolute peace of mind and keeps doctors close only if something unpredictable happens.

5) Birth plan

Bring a brief birth plan to the maternity ward. It should contain a basic idea of ​​what you want and what you do not want to happen during childbirth. Bring three copies to Mělník. The maternity hospital will keep two and the third will be for you. You will have it confirmed with a signature and a stamp. Be sure to do so as soon as possible.

6) Recommendations

Get a pediatrician in advance and have her confirm in writing that she will take your newborn to medical care. No law or decree mandates you to do such a thing, but you will save your nerves.

Continuation:

1. Myth about vaginal examinations during pregnancy
2. Childbirth in the maternity hospital Mělník
3. When a woman has a contraction
4. Consequences of Caesarean section
5. Natural childbirth
6. Birth in nature: natural birth