Stages of Labor

The labor is a process where various events occur by the time. If you are pregnant for the first time then you are about to get a unique experience. Events those occur during delivery are not similar to all, even not in a single woman for her second or third delivery. The whole process require hours, even days.

Contents

There are 3 stages of labor process-

First stage of labor

It starts from the true labor pain and lasts up to full dilatation of the cervix. This stage may lasts for 12 to 13 hours for the first baby and 7 to 8 hours for the second baby.

Here mainly 2 things occur- Effacement and Cervical dilation

Effacement:
When the fetus moves downwards it causes the softening, shortening and thinning of the cervical part of uterus thus become ready for delivery of the baby.

Cervical dilation:
At the time of delivery the opening of uterus named as cervix opens and becomes dilated. For a safe and easier vaginal delivery the cervix needs to be dilated about 10cm.

First stage of the labor has three phases-

Early labor

This phase lasts for 8 to 12 hours
Cervical dilatation occurs of about 4 cm
Cervical contractions occurs which lasts about 30 to 45 minutes with a 5 to 30 minutes of interval between contractions
The intensity and the frequency of pain both increases by the time
You may feel pain at back or pressure or tightness at pelvic area
The water may break at any time of this phase
If you want, can go to the nearby hospital for delivery
Just relax, drink water, pass your time with your near ones

Active labor phase

If you are at home yet it’s time to go to the hospital
This phase lasts for 3 to 5 hours
The cervical dilatation occurs from 4 to 7 cm
Contractions become stronger and longer
Contractions at this phase last for 45 to 60 minutes with a interval of 3 to 5 minutes
You can walk with wide base to
Your support person may massage your abdomen and back

Transition phase

This stage lasts for 30 min to 2 hours
Cervical dilation occurs from 8 cm to 10 cm
Contractions at this phase last for 60 to 90 seconds with a interval of 30 seconds to 2 minutes interval between contractions
The contractions become stronger, intense and may overlap
Keep yourself strong
The support person should be by your side accompanying you

Second stage of labor

Start after full dilation of cervix and lasts up to expulsion of the baby
This stage lasts for about 30 minutes to an hour
At this stage the head of the baby moves down from uterus to the birth canal or vagina
You should push downwards while the contractions appear
You may feel like you are defecating that is passing stool through the rectum and it is normal
If the position of the baby is normal, the head will come out first
Some may need an incision just side of the birth canal to assist the delivery
You should make yourself in a comfortable position
If the delivery time of the baby prolongs then it is called prolonged labor and you may be undergone to surgical delivery

In this stage the delivery of placenta and other membranes occurs
This stage lasts from 5 minutes to 30 minutes
The contractions are still present that help to expulsion of placenta
Your healthcare provider may give you some medications to increase the contractions
If the placenta is not expelled out within due time then manual removal is required

Third stage of labor

With these 3 stages of labor your baby is delivered.

NEXT → Signs of labor approaching

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