What are contractions inhibitors?

Contraceptive pills are drugs that stop the contractions or increase the time between contractions. The contractile capacity of the uterus, i.e. the muscular contraction, is thereby reduced. In technical terms, contraceptives are called tocolytics.

The most commonly used contraceptive substances include beta-mimetics, but magnesium, oxytocin receptor and calcium antagonists are also used. Since tocolytics have a not negligible side effect profile, monitoring by medical and nursing staff is mandatory after administration. Reasons for contraction inhibition can be, for example, a premature rupture of the bladder or the prolongation of pregnancy to induce fetal lung maturity. Tocolysis may also be necessary if the contractions are too strong or frequent. In addition, contraceptives are used in the event of obstetric complications, for example to bridge the time to an (emergency) Caesarean section or to enable special positioning maneuvers.

What is the best way to breathe during labor?

A conscious breathing technique during labor can have several positive influences on the birth process.Many women report that this results in better relaxation during the pauses in labor and that the birth was generally felt to be a calmer one. It is not possible to give a strict specification regarding breathing during labor, as each woman in labor has different needs. Therefore it must be individually examined which breathing method is good for the pregnant woman during the birth.

For example, so-called deep breathing can be tried out in the early phase of the birth. At the beginning of a contraction, the baby breathes in and out slowly and in a concentrated manner through the nose and mouth, and continues to breathe this way. Alternatively, some women describe a shallower breathing mechanism as relaxing.

This involves taking a deep breath at the beginning of the contraction and then breathing increasingly faster and thus shallower over the duration of the contraction. When the time has come to actively push, a different breathing technique must be used, but this usually starts automatically. This involves taking a deep breath and holding it during the pressing process.

After pressing, the patient breathes out and breathes normally several times until the next contraction occurs. In a broader sense, cries or other sounds are also part of the breathing during birth. Here, too, an individual approach must be taken, which is good for the pregnant woman, since some women describe it as liberating to emit cries under the pain of childbirth. However, one should try to avoid excessive crying, since this exhausts the mother’s energy reserves. However, these are urgently needed for the already very strenuous birth process.