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Once true labor contractions begin, you’ve entered the first stage of labor. While there is great variation in each woman’s experience, labor and delivery progress through three stages.
During stage one, your cervix dilates and effaces, preparing for the passage of the baby. By the end of this stage, the cervix is 100% effacedeffaced, or thinned, and 10 cm dilated so that the baby can pass into the birth canal (vagina). The first satge of labor is the longest, and fortunately the easiest. This stage is divided into two phases.three Inphases: phase
Phase one,1 called- earlyEarly laborLabor or theLatent Phase
latentIn phase,this phase the cervix is dilateddilates from 0 to 3 cm. You may be uncomfortable, with a backache, feeling of fullness, or menstrual-like pain. You may have milda slight bloody or pinkish show, and loose bowel movements. This phase lasts an average of around 8 hours, but this can vary wildly from woman to moderatewoman, contractionsand can also occur over days without noticable discomfort. Some women don't recognize labor until they're well into the 2nd stage. Contractions in this phase may be irregular, coming every 5 to 20 minutes.minutes, Youor mayanywhere bein uncomfortable,between. withAs a backache,result, feelingit can be difficult to pinpoint the start of fullness,labor, and whether or menstrual-likenot pain.this is actually true labor. Generally, if the contrctions follow an overall trend of getting longer, stronger and more frequent, then you're on your way!
Phase oneDuring this stage, it is unnecessary to go to the hospital. It is recommmended that you stay home and relaxed as long as you are comfortable - if you have ANY doubt, call your care provider - as labor has a tendancy to progress better in comfortable and familiar surroundings, and you are more likely to rest and stay relaxed at home than in the hospital. If you are hungry, now's your chance! You likely won't be allowed to eat much - if anything - once you get to the longesthospital, so try to get some energy now, but avoid anything heavy, fatty, or difficult to digest. Think sectionwhole grains, fruit, and lots of labor.fluids. ItAvoid mayanything too sugary, as this can serve to dehydrate you, which is the last fromthing you want. hoursTry to daysmove around - go for first-timea moms.walk, Womenor whoat haveleast alreadywalk hadaround the house. Walking enlists gravity, and helps labor to progress. But keep things gentle. You don't want to tire yourself out now. Read, watch TV, finish preparing the baby's room, play a babygame, averageanything eightto hoursentertain inand thisdistract you. You can time your contractions once they start getting more frequent. When they get closer to being regularly (ish) 5 minutes apart, and are lasting for more than from 30-45 seconds, now you can head to the hospital. Again, if EVER you're not sure, call your care provider, or the hospital.
Phase 2 phase.- Active Labor
Once your cervix is 3 or 4 cm dilated, you move into phase two,2, called active labor. In this phase, the contractions are stronger, occur more often, and come closer together - every 4 or 5 minutes, and lasting about 40 - 60 seconds. If you're not already there, you should head to the hospital around now. Again, the thing to look for is contractions that get overall longer, stronger, and more frequent.
This phase is more intense than the first, and your cervix will dilate from 3 or 4 cm to 7 cm. The contractions are strongergetting to be more work at this point, and occuryou may have to concentrate more often.on each Itone, maybe not being able to talk through them. Again, continue walking around. Barring any compliations, walking throughout your labor is importantstrongly recommended. Try other positions also to timeease the discomfort - in a tub, in the shower, kneeling, laying on your contractions.side, Mostsquatting doctors- askwhatever seems to help. Try to avoid laying on your back unless you have to come- it can slow down labor, and won't help the pain much. Try to stay hydrated if you're allowed to have water or ice chips. Also remember to go pee often, as a full bladder can impede labor. Coaches - remind mom of this. You can use your breathing exercises now, if they help. Many women swear by them, claiming they couldn't get through labor without them, but some say they just feel unnatural, and create added stress. Whatever works for you, do it, just make sure that you ARE breathing. Holding your breath can increase the hospitalpain, whenand contractionscan lastalso deprive baby of oxygen.
You may feel anxious, exhausted, and irritable. This stage lasts, on average 4 - 6 more thanhours. 60It's seconds,perfectly occurnormal fiveto minutesfeel apart,fed up and persisttired, forbut atjust leastremember onehow hour.close you're getting. Each contraction gets baby closer to you. Try to picture that. This is Pain with a purpose. Try to focus on what you've accomplished, and how far you've come.
Phase 3 - Transition
Toward This is the endmost difficult phase of thislabor. phase,Fortunately, yourit is also the shortest. Your cervix dilateswill dilate from 7 to- 10 cm.cms. TheseTransition lastlasts fewon centimetersaverage of30 cervicalminutes opening,to sometimesan calledhour transition,and occura fairlyhalf. quickly,Again, butthis can bevary depending quiteon each woman. Every labor is difficult.different. Contractions are strongercoming fast and morefurious frequent,now - every 2 to 3 minutes, and lasting 60 - 90 seconds. That's not much puttingtime in between to rest, and it pressurecan feel like they are coming one on top of the other, with no break. Take heart - you really are almost there. When this is over, you can start pushing your lowerbaby backout. andAn encouraging thought - transition is, on average, about 20 contractions. Maybe that'll help you get there. Many women report that just when they feel they rectum.can't take anymore - they're through it.
You may feel anxious,more exhausted,pain in your back, and irritable.the contractions are definately more intense now. You maycan feel thenauseous, urgechilled, shaky - some women also report hot flashes. It is not uncommon for women to push,feel buta yourlittle doctorcrazy during transition. It is very tiring and demanding, and you're already tired. Don't worry about it. Things that helped before may askonly annoy you now - don't be shy to wait.communicate Pushingyour toofeelings. soonYou may causefind yourit cervixvery hard to tearconcentrate oron swell.Stageanything, onelet alone relax. But try - you are so close! If you've made it this far without medication - now is when you may lose faith. This is such a short phase in comparison - only 20 contractions - you can do it! Coaches - now is the longestmost stageimportant oftime laborto andgive her what she delivery.needs. Efficient encouragement now can make all the difference.
You maymight requestfeel painan medicationurge to push during this time.phase You- shoulddon't (unless your care provider discusshas told you to). Pushing before the optionscervix andis yourfully preferencesdilated forcan paincause controlit duringto yourswell, pregnancy.prolonging Somethis womenphase, alsowhich useyou probably won't appreciate. At 10 relaxationcms techniquesthe fiet stage of labor is over, and it's time to easeget discomfort.your baby out!
Stage two can take a few minutes or a few hours. It tends to take longer for first-time moms and women who have epidurals for pain control. During this stage you will push; at times your doctor may ask you to stop pushing. First, the baby will crown. This means that the widest part of the baby’s head appears in the vaginal opening.
As the head is pushed through, the vagina and perineum are stretched, which may cause a burning sensation. Once the head is out, the baby’s mouth and nose may be suctioned with a syringe to clear out mucus. Shortly after, the rest of the baby’s body is delivered and you may hear your baby’s first cry. The umbilical cord, which connects the baby to the placenta, is clamped and cut.
Stage three usually takes only a few minutes, but can last up to half an hour. You may continue to have mild contractions. Your doctor or midwife may massage your lower abdomen to help push the placenta out, and you may need to push one more time. The placenta comes out with a small burst of blood.
While you are resting and greeting your baby, your doctor will examine your vagina. If there was tearing or you had an episiotomy, stitches may be put in. You may also be given medications to encourage uterine contractions and minimize bleeding.
You and your baby will be closely monitored while you are in the hospital. Now that you’ve made it through the delivery, take advantage of this time to get some rest, ask any questions, and prepare yourself for the next big challenge — motherhood.
Stage one: early and active labor
During stage one, your cervix dilates and effaces, preparing for the passage of the baby. By the end of this stage, the cervix is 100% effacedeffaced, or thinned, and 10 cm dilated so that the baby can pass into the birth canal (vagina). The first satge of labor is the longest, and fortunately the easiest. This stage is divided into two phases.three Inphases: phase
Phase one,1 called- earlyEarly laborLabor or theLatent Phase
latentIn phase,this phase the cervix is dilateddilates from 0 to 3 cm. You may be uncomfortable, with a backache, feeling of fullness, or menstrual-like pain. You may have milda slight bloody or pinkish show, and loose bowel movements. This phase lasts an average of around 8 hours, but this can vary wildly from woman to moderatewoman, contractionsand can also occur over days without noticable discomfort. Some women don't recognize labor until they're well into the 2nd stage. Contractions in this phase may be irregular, coming every 5 to 20 minutes.minutes, Youor mayanywhere bein uncomfortable,between. withAs a backache,result, feelingit can be difficult to pinpoint the start of fullness,labor, and whether or menstrual-likenot pain.this is actually true labor. Generally, if the contrctions follow an overall trend of getting longer, stronger and more frequent, then you're on your way!
Phase oneDuring this stage, it is unnecessary to go to the hospital. It is recommmended that you stay home and relaxed as long as you are comfortable - if you have ANY doubt, call your care provider - as labor has a tendancy to progress better in comfortable and familiar surroundings, and you are more likely to rest and stay relaxed at home than in the hospital. If you are hungry, now's your chance! You likely won't be allowed to eat much - if anything - once you get to the longesthospital, so try to get some energy now, but avoid anything heavy, fatty, or difficult to digest. Think sectionwhole grains, fruit, and lots of labor.fluids. ItAvoid mayanything too sugary, as this can serve to dehydrate you, which is the last fromthing you want. hoursTry to daysmove around - go for first-timea moms.walk, Womenor whoat haveleast alreadywalk hadaround the house. Walking enlists gravity, and helps labor to progress. But keep things gentle. You don't want to tire yourself out now. Read, watch TV, finish preparing the baby's room, play a babygame, averageanything eightto hoursentertain inand thisdistract you. You can time your contractions once they start getting more frequent. When they get closer to being regularly (ish) 5 minutes apart, and are lasting for more than from 30-45 seconds, now you can head to the hospital. Again, if EVER you're not sure, call your care provider, or the hospital.
Phase 2 phase.- Active Labor
Once your cervix is 3 or 4 cm dilated, you move into phase two,2, called active labor. In this phase, the contractions are stronger, occur more often, and come closer together - every 4 or 5 minutes, and lasting about 40 - 60 seconds. If you're not already there, you should head to the hospital around now. Again, the thing to look for is contractions that get overall longer, stronger, and more frequent.
This phase is more intense than the first, and your cervix will dilate from 3 or 4 cm to 7 cm. The contractions are strongergetting to be more work at this point, and occuryou may have to concentrate more often.on each Itone, maybe not being able to talk through them. Again, continue walking around. Barring any compliations, walking throughout your labor is importantstrongly recommended. Try other positions also to timeease the discomfort - in a tub, in the shower, kneeling, laying on your contractions.side, Mostsquatting doctors- askwhatever seems to help. Try to avoid laying on your back unless you have to come- it can slow down labor, and won't help the pain much. Try to stay hydrated if you're allowed to have water or ice chips. Also remember to go pee often, as a full bladder can impede labor. Coaches - remind mom of this. You can use your breathing exercises now, if they help. Many women swear by them, claiming they couldn't get through labor without them, but some say they just feel unnatural, and create added stress. Whatever works for you, do it, just make sure that you ARE breathing. Holding your breath can increase the hospitalpain, whenand contractionscan lastalso deprive baby of oxygen.
You may feel anxious, exhausted, and irritable. This stage lasts, on average 4 - 6 more thanhours. 60It's seconds,perfectly occurnormal fiveto minutesfeel apart,fed up and persisttired, forbut atjust leastremember onehow hour.close you're getting. Each contraction gets baby closer to you. Try to picture that. This is Pain with a purpose. Try to focus on what you've accomplished, and how far you've come.
Phase 3 - Transition
Toward This is the endmost difficult phase of thislabor. phase,Fortunately, yourit is also the shortest. Your cervix dilateswill dilate from 7 to- 10 cm.cms. TheseTransition lastlasts fewon centimetersaverage of30 cervicalminutes opening,to sometimesan calledhour transition,and occura fairlyhalf. quickly,Again, butthis can bevary depending quiteon each woman. Every labor is difficult.different. Contractions are strongercoming fast and morefurious frequent,now - every 2 to 3 minutes, and lasting 60 - 90 seconds. That's not much puttingtime in between to rest, and it pressurecan feel like they are coming one on top of the other, with no break. Take heart - you really are almost there. When this is over, you can start pushing your lowerbaby backout. andAn encouraging thought - transition is, on average, about 20 contractions. Maybe that'll help you get there. Many women report that just when they feel they rectum.can't take anymore - they're through it.
You may feel anxious,more exhausted,pain in your back, and irritable.the contractions are definately more intense now. You maycan feel thenauseous, urgechilled, shaky - some women also report hot flashes. It is not uncommon for women to push,feel buta yourlittle doctorcrazy during transition. It is very tiring and demanding, and you're already tired. Don't worry about it. Things that helped before may askonly annoy you now - don't be shy to wait.communicate Pushingyour toofeelings. soonYou may causefind yourit cervixvery hard to tearconcentrate oron swell.Stageanything, onelet alone relax. But try - you are so close! If you've made it this far without medication - now is when you may lose faith. This is such a short phase in comparison - only 20 contractions - you can do it! Coaches - now is the longestmost stageimportant oftime laborto andgive her what she delivery.needs. Efficient encouragement now can make all the difference.
You maymight requestfeel painan medicationurge to push during this time.phase You- shoulddon't (unless your care provider discusshas told you to). Pushing before the optionscervix andis yourfully preferencesdilated forcan paincause controlit duringto yourswell, pregnancy.prolonging Somethis womenphase, alsowhich useyou probably won't appreciate. At 10 relaxationcms techniquesthe fiet stage of labor is over, and it's time to easeget discomfort.your baby out!
Stage two: your baby’s birth
Stage two can take a few minutes or a few hours. It tends to take longer for first-time moms and women who have epidurals for pain control. During this stage you will push; at times your doctor may ask you to stop pushing. First, the baby will crown. This means that the widest part of the baby’s head appears in the vaginal opening.
As the head is pushed through, the vagina and perineum are stretched, which may cause a burning sensation. Once the head is out, the baby’s mouth and nose may be suctioned with a syringe to clear out mucus. Shortly after, the rest of the baby’s body is delivered and you may hear your baby’s first cry. The umbilical cord, which connects the baby to the placenta, is clamped and cut.
Stage three: delivery of the placenta
Stage three usually takes only a few minutes, but can last up to half an hour. You may continue to have mild contractions. Your doctor or midwife may massage your lower abdomen to help push the placenta out, and you may need to push one more time. The placenta comes out with a small burst of blood.
While you are resting and greeting your baby, your doctor will examine your vagina. If there was tearing or you had an episiotomy, stitches may be put in. You may also be given medications to encourage uterine contractions and minimize bleeding.
Postpartum care
You and your baby will be closely monitored while you are in the hospital. Now that you’ve made it through the delivery, take advantage of this time to get some rest, ask any questions, and prepare yourself for the next big challenge — motherhood.
