Labor & Delivery
For 9 months, the unborn child has been developing within the womb. Now the baby is prepared to make an exit. Birth in human beings typically occurs 270 days after conception, near the end of a full 9 months. Shortly before birth, the baby usually rotates into a head-downward position. This movement is referred to as lightening because it releases pressure on the mother's abdomen.
For women giving birth for the first time, labor will usually last between 12 and 24 hours, with an average of 14 hours. However, for women who have given birth before, labor usually averages only 6 hours. It is commonly divided into three stages that typically overlap each other.
First Stage
The first stage of labor starts with the onset of labor, and is completed when the cervix is completely dilated or 10 centimeters. This stage can take quite a long time, especially with a first baby. It isn’t uncommon for the first stage of labor to last 12 to 14 hours. That doesn’t mean you will be having continuous contractions for 14 hours. Initially, the contractions are gentle, but they tend to become more powerful and sometimes uncomfortable. During this stage, it is common for the amniotic sac to rupture (commonly referred to as the time when a woman's "water breaks"). The contractions following the water breaking are usually spaced from 10 to 20 minutes apart.
Don’t try to fight the contractions by tensing your abdominal muscles. Your uterus is doing the work for which it was designed. Tensing muscles will only make the contractions seem worse. Try to relax even while you are having a contraction. Concentrate on relaxing your muscles. It isn’t easy, but try!
Second Stage (Includes Birth)
The second stage of labor starts with the cervix becoming fully dilated and is completed with delivery of the baby. It is much shorter than the first stage, and usually lasts about 90 minutes. By now, your cervix has dilated enough for the passage of the baby’s head, and when the head has descended enough, you will be prepared for delivery. You may stay in the room you labored in, or you may be moved to a traditional delivery room.
The contractions are now very close together, and the baby is being pushed out. You may feel like your bowels are moving, but don’t worry about this… it is just the pressure of the baby’s head on your rectum. Each time you have a contraction, the baby’s head moves farther and farther down. At this point, your healthcare provider may perform an episiotomy, if necessary. You will have a local anesthetic and will not feel this at all. As you push, the baby begins to appear, and finally is born. Any mucous or amniotic fluid from your baby’s mouth and nose will be removed. Then your baby will take a breath of air and might begin to cry. LIFE! A new person in the world! You might begin to cry, too, when you see your new little boy or girl.
Third Stage
The third stage of labor begins after the delivery of the baby and is completed with the delivery of the placenta. This usually takes just a few contractions, and takes only a few minutes more. Then it’s time for some well-earned rest, and bonding with your newborn baby.