The reasons for labor initiation are complex and recognized as the result of a combination of factors, which pregnant mothers do not need to know much about. However, the smoothness of the delivery process is closely related to four factors: labor force, birth canal, baby’s condition and the mother’s mental and psychological state. Many of these factors require the active participation and cooperation of the mother! First of all, follow the author to establish the initial impression of these four factors: 1. labor force: the force to force the baby and placenta and other appendages out of the uterine cavity; 2. birth canal: the channel for the baby to be delivered, divided into bone birth canal and soft birth canal; 3. baby: the size of the baby, fetal position and the presence of deformities; 4. mental and psychological factors of the pregnant mother: labor is a continuous and intense stress. With the initial impression, let’s learn more about each item: 1, labor force (mainly in three categories) 1, uterine contraction force: (contraction) the main labor force after labor, throughout the whole process of labor; 2, abdominal wall muscle and diaphragm contraction force (abdominal pressure): the second stage of labor important auxiliary force, the third stage of labor can force the delivery of the abscessed placenta; 3, the anal retractor muscle contraction force: the second stage of labor to assist the fetal head in rotation, supination and extension and The third stage of labor can assist in the delivery of the placenta. Point: When the force of labor is insufficient, too strong or uncoordinated, it may lead to obstructed labor. Therefore, it is important to do Kegel exercises during pregnancy! The size and shape of the bony birth canal are directly related to childbirth. There are several important signs on the pelvis to help doctors judge the condition of the pelvis and the progress of labor. Point:The condition of the pelvis is limited by birth or acquired disease. When the condition of the pelvis is poor or suboptimal (relatively rare), some can improve the rate of normal delivery through reasonable weight control, thus achieving control of fetal weight and avoiding excessive thickness of soft tissues on the inner side of the pelvis, but it needs the doctor’s evaluation and guidance! Soft birth canal The soft birth canal is a curved channel formed by the lower part of the uterus, the cervix, the vagina and the soft tissues of the pelvic floor. The lower part of the uterus is about 1cm long during non-pregnancy and 7-10cm long after delivery. There are two concepts we need to understand here: A. Disappearance of the cervical canal: after delivery, the cervical canal disappears first in primiparous women and the uterine opening dilates afterwards; in transitional women, the cervical canal disappears and the uterine opening dilates at the same time; B. Dilation of the uterine opening: before delivery, the external cervical opening of primiparous women can only accommodate a fingertip, while transitional women can accommodate a finger. The opening of the uterus is 10cm (how big the baby’s head is, how big the opening of the uterus must be) The influence of the soft birth canal on labor: when there are abnormalities in the soft birth canal, it will lead to labor difficulties. For example, large fibroids in the lower part of the uterus and near the cervix, cervical edema, history of cervical surgery, tumors in the vaginal wall, etc. Special note: even if the first baby is delivered without any problems, if the second baby weighs as much as the first baby, the mother may not be able to deliver if she gains too much weight during the second pregnancy, because too much thickening of the soft tissues of the pelvic floor can be an important obstacle. The size of the fetus is one of the most important factors in determining the ease of delivery (if the baby weighs more than 4kg, it is more likely to have a difficult delivery). The fetal position and the presence of abnormalities also have an important influence on the delivery. If there are abnormal fetal positions such as abnormal head position, breech first, shoulder first, etc., it will be more difficult for the baby to pass through the birth canal. In addition, some fetal baby development malformations, such as hydrocephalus, Siamese, etc., will also lead to delivery difficulties. Psychological factors Childbirth is a physiological phenomenon, but it is also a lasting and strong source of stress. The pregnant mother’s emotion changes (often negative emotion) → rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, insufficient gas exchange in the lungs → weak contraction of the uterus → prolonged labor → excessive physical exertion → neuroendocrine changes → fetal distress. Key points: pregnant mothers need to have a good mind, maintain a stable mood and eat properly. Master the necessary breathing techniques and body relaxation techniques during labor. It is recommended that the father-to-be or other relatives accompany the delivery. I don’t know if the above is easy to understand for pregnant mothers. If you think it is difficult, I would like to conclude with a few simple words: do a good job of weight management during pregnancy (keep your mouth shut), insist on exercising during pregnancy (open your legs) and Kegel exercises, master the necessary breathing techniques and body relaxation techniques during labor and delivery, and keep a good attitude and be optimistic and positive during labor, I believe you will be the one who can deliver smoothly!