When it is time for your baby to be born, your body will go through a series of changes to prepare for and complete the birthing process. Like pregnancy, your labor and delivery will be different from any other woman's. In fact, each time you give birth, your labor and delivery will probably be different.
Stages of Labor:
1 - Cervix opens completely
2 - Pushing & the birth of your baby
3 - Birth of the placenta
Early Labor Phase
- Lasts up to 20 hours or more
- Cervix dilates 0-6 cm
- Contraction lasts 30-45 second; 5-30 minutes apart
Drink plenty of water & eat small, light snacks.
Active Labor Phase
- Lasts up to 5 hours or more
- Contraction lasts 45-60 seconds; and may be several minutes apart.
- Cervix dilates 6-10 cm
- Baby should be facing your back, the occipito-anterior poisition.
- Sometimes baby will turn & face your front, the occipito-posterior position.
- If this happens, switch body positions.
Drink a lot of water & urinate periodically.
- Contraction lasts 45-60 seconds; 1-3 minutes apart.
- May last up to 2 hours.
You may get hot flashes, chills, nausea, increased pressure in pelvic or rectal area.
Second Stage of Labor:
1 - Pushing phase
2 - Birth phase
Pushing phase
- Lasts from 20 minutes to 3 hours or more.
- Cervix fully dilated at 10 cm.
- Contraction lasts 60-90 seconds; 3-5 minutes apart.
You' have a strong urge to bear down and push.
Relax your pelvic floor and anal area.
You may still feel pressure on your perineum.
Birth phase
- Baby's head will crown through vaginal opening.
- Your baby will typically come out face down.
- Shoulders come out one at a time.
- Finally, whole body slips out.
Placenta Delivery
- Usually takes up to 30 minutes.
- Could take longer for some women.
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