You won't know how labor and childbirth will unfold until it happens. You can prepare, however, by understanding the typical sequence of events. During the first stage of labor, the cervix opens dilates and thins out effaces to allow the baby to move into the birth canal.
In figures A and B, the cervix is tightly closed. In figure C, the cervix is 60 percent effaced and 1 to 2 cm dilated. In figure D, the cervix is 90 percent effaced and 4 to 5 cm dilated. The cervix must be percent effaced and 10 centimeters dilated before a vaginal delivery. The first stage of labor and birth occurs when you begin to feel regular contractions, which cause the cervix to open dilate and soften, shorten and thin effacement.
This allows the baby to move into the birth canal. The first stage is the longest of the three stages. It's actually divided into two phases of its own — early labor latent phase and active labor.
As your cervix begins to open, you might notice a clear, pink or slightly bloody discharge from your vagina. This is likely the mucus plug that blocks the cervical opening during pregnancy. How long it lasts: Early labor is unpredictable. For first-time moms, the average length varies from hours to days. It's often shorter for subsequent deliveries.
What you can do: Until your contractions increase in frequency and intensity, it's up to you. For many women, early labor isn't particularly uncomfortable. Try to stay relaxed. Your health care provider will instruct you on when to leave for the hospital or birthing center.
If your water breaks or you experience significant vaginal bleeding, call your health care provider right away. Now it's time for the real work to begin. During active labor, your cervix will dilate from 6 centimeters cm to 10 cm. Your contractions will become stronger, closer together and regular. Your legs might cramp, and you might feel nauseated. You might feel your water break — if it hasn't already — and experience increasing pressure in your back.
If you haven't headed to your labor and delivery facility yet, now's the time. Don't be surprised if your initial excitement wanes as labor progresses and the pain intensifies. Ask for pain medication or anesthesia if you want it.
Your health care team will partner with you to make the best choice for you and your baby. Remember, you're the only one who can judge your need for pain relief. How long it lasts: Active labor often lasts four to eight hours or more. On average, your cervix will dilate at approximately one centimeter per hour.
What you can do: Look to your labor coach and health care team for encouragement and support. Try breathing and relaxation techniques to combat your growing discomfort. Use what you learned in childbirth class or ask your health care team for suggestions. Unless you need to be in a specific position to allow for close monitoring of you and your baby, consider these ways to promote comfort during active labor:.
If you need to have a C-section, having food in your stomach can lead to complications. If your health care provider thinks you might need a C-section, he or she might recommend small amounts of clear liquids, such as water, ice chips, popsicles and juice, instead of a large, solid meal.
The last part of active labor — often referred to as transition — can be particularly intense and painful. Contractions will come close together and can last 60 to 90 seconds. You'll experience pressure in your lower back and rectum. Tell your health care provider if you feel the urge to push. If you want to push but you're not fully dilated, your health care provider might ask you to hold back.
Pushing too soon could make you tired and cause your cervix to swell, which might delay delivery. Pant or blow your way through the contractions. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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Updated visitor guidelines. Top of the page. Contractions During Pregnancy: What to Expect. Topic Overview Regular contractions may mean that your uterine muscle is tightening Braxton Hicks contractions or that you are in labor. Braxton Hicks contractions During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, you may have episodes when your belly tightens and becomes firm to the touch, then relaxes.
Braxton Hicks contractions can occur often during the 9th month, such as every 10 to 20 minutes. Braxton Hicks contractions: Usually go away during exercise or activity. True labor pains continue or increase with activity. Are felt more during rest. Preterm labor The length of a normal pregnancy is 37 to 42 weeks, measured from the date of the woman's last menstrual period. Early labor Early labor is often the longest part of the birthing process, sometimes lasting 2 to 3 days.
Uterine contractions: Are mild to moderate and last about 30 to 45 seconds. Increasing fatigue, shakiness, and nausea are all common in this phase, as your body does the hard work of reaching complete dilation and effacement.
You may feel a strong urge to push or bear down, along with pressure in the rectal area and stinging in the vaginal area as the baby's head moves down toward the vaginal opening. But you should NOT push—wait until your practitioner gives you the go-ahead, which will happen when the cervix is fully dilated.
How Long It Lasts : This is the shortest but most intense phase, typically lasting from 10 minutes to 2 hours. You may feel overwhelmed, and it's also normal to feel discouraged, as though labor will never end. What to Do : Imagine you're in a place that makes you feel safe and relaxed—lying on the beach, resting against a tree, or sitting in a rocking chair in your baby's nursery.
Breathe deeply and develop the scene, filling in the details. What do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? If you're in more pain than you expected, it's usually not too late to ask for pain relief at this point.
However, whether you get any will depend on whether an anesthesiologist is available. The second stage of childbirth begins when the cervix is fully dilated. Your baby is moving down the birth canal. Contractions continue to be strong, lasting for about 60 seconds and coming 3 to 5 minutes apart. You will likely feel a strong urge to push. The overwhelming urge to bear down continues, and as soon as your cervix is fully dilated, your practitioner will probably give you the go ahead to push.
Contractions don't stop now, though they often come farther apart. Some women experience nausea and vomiting. As you begin pushing, you may become increasingly breathless and fatigued—you're getting what is likely the hardest workout of your life.
How Long It Lasts : The pushing and birth stage spans 1 to 2 hours for a first labor, and 15 to 30 minutes for subsequent labors. If your baby is in distress at this point, or if she doesn't seem to be making her way through the birth canal, your doctor may decide to deliver her by C-section or use forceps to help her out. Signs : You may feel intense pain around your vaginal and perineal areas as the baby's head crowns, or protrudes at its widest part outside the vaginal opening.
If you have an episiotomy an incision made in the area between the vagina and the rectum to widen the vaginal opening it will probably happen at this point. You may be asked to push more gently or slowly as the rest of your baby's head and body emerge. Finally, with one last push, your baby is out in the world! What to Do : Take solace in knowing that you're almost there!
Concentrate on pushing your baby down and out. Your partner can help by encouraging you to push and to rest in between pushes. Don't be afraid to try different positions —for instance, get on your hands and knees or kneel while your partner supports your upper body.
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