What Are the Stages of Labour?
The body’s normal delivery process is called labour. For a first birth, it typically lasts between 12 and 24 hours. After that, labour usually lasts less time.
There are three phases to labour. From the moment you begin having regular contractions until you’re prepared to give birth, that is the first stage. It consists of three phases: an active phase, when most of the work is done to prepare your body for delivery, a transitional phase when you start feeling the need to push, and an early or latent phase, when contractions are mild and the cervix starts to change to allow the baby to pass through.
The actual birth of your child occurs during the second stage of labour, and the placenta is delivered during the third stage.
The First Stage of Labor
With a duration of up to 20 hours, the initial stage of labour is the longest. Your cervix starts to dilate (open) at that point, and it finishes at 10 centimetres, when it is fully dilated.
Latent or early labour
It is during the early or latent period that labour starts. You’ll experience mild contractions that last 60 to 90 seconds and happen every 15 to 20 minutes. Your contractions will start to arrive in less than five minutes apart as they became more frequent. Your cervix dilates and effacees throughout the contractions, becoming more streamlined and prepared for birth. Your cervix dilates between 0 and 6 centimetres during the early stages, and as time passes, the contractions become more intense. You might have clear to slightly bloody vaginal discharge during this stage.
It could take hours or even days to complete this task. The ideal place to spend it is at home in comfort. You can do the following to expedite the process:
a. Go for a stroll.
b. Frequently switch positions.
c. Maintain your breathing and relaxation exercises.
d. Take a warm shower or soak in a warm tub. See your doctor before taking a tub soak if your water supply has broken.
e. If you can, get some rest.
f. Have something light to eat and drink lots of water.
g. If you haven't already, get ready for the hospital by packing your bags.Active Phase
The cervix dilates from 6 to 8 centimetres (referred to as the Active Phase), during which time the contractions become stronger, occur around every 3 minutes, and last roughly 45 seconds. In addition to increased vaginal bleeding (sometimes known as the “bloody show”), you might experience a backache. Your contractions may become considerably more intense if your amniotic membrane bursts, also known as when your “water breaks”.
Usually, this phase takes four to eight hours. As you concentrate on controlling the contractions, your attitude could get more serious. You’ll rely on your support system more.
You will often visit a hospital or birthing centre during the active phase of labour. You will be required to wear a hospital gown when you arrive. We’ll take your temperature, blood pressure, and pulse. For a brief period of time, or continually, a monitor will be put on your belly to measure the baby’s heart rate and look for signs of uterine contractions. During a pelvic exam, your healthcare professional will also check your cervix to assess the extent of labour.
If necessary, an intravenous line may be inserted into a vein in your arm to provide medication and fluids. If your doctor believes you could require a general anesthesia-assisted C-section, they can advise you to restrict your food and liquid intake during this period.
Here are some pointers to get you through the labor’s active phase:
a. Consider shifting positions. If you're having trouble with back labour, you might want to try going on your hands and knees.
b. Continue moving in between contractions.
c. To give the head of the baby greater room in your pelvis, frequently empty your bladder.
d. Maintain your breathing and relaxation exercises.
e. Request a light massage for your birth partner.
f. Playing some calming music.
g. Concentrate on handling each contraction separately. Keep in mind that every step gets you one step closer to hugging your child. Transition Phase
Although the transition period is brief, it is severe and painful. Cervix dilation from 8 to 10 centimetres typically takes 15 minutes to 1 hour. The duration of a contraction is one minute, occurring two to three minutes apart. Your discomfort can get worse and you might feel pressure on your rectum. Your vaginal bleeding will be more intense.
Pushing may be tempting, but wait to do so until your doctor instructs you to. If you push before your cervix has fully dilated, it could swell and make the procedure take longer.
The Second Stage of Labour (Delivery)
When the dilation of your cervix reaches 10 centimetres, the second stage of labour starts. This phase lasts until your child is born, vaginally, and through the birth canal. This phase could go on for two hours or more.
Compared to the initial stage of labour, contractions may feel different; they will occur sporadically, every two to five minutes, and last for 60 to 90 seconds. The impulse to push during your contractions will be very powerful. Take as much time as you can to recover in between pushing sessions, and only push as directed by your healthcare provider.
Some tips can help you push:
a. Experiment with different postures such as squatting, resting on your hands and knees, or lying on your side with your leg up.
b. Breathe deeply both in and out prior to and following each contraction.
c. As much as you can, curl into the push to activate every muscle in your body.
In the event that pushing causes discomfort, you can need an episiotomy or be prescribed painkillers. A little incision is created between the anus and vagina to widen the vaginal opening during an episiotomy operation. To remove your baby more quickly or to stop big, irregular tears in your vaginal wall, you might need an episiotomy.
A number known as a station indicates where your baby’s head is located during its descent—the term for the movement of the head through the pelvis. The station is described at minus 3 (-3), assuming that the baby’s head has not yet begun to descend. Your baby’s head is engaged in the pelvis and in the centre of the birth canal when it is at the zero station. Your baby’s birth station can help you track the development of the second stage of labour.
To keep blood, mucus, and amniotic fluid out of the infant’s lungs, your healthcare practitioner will hold your baby with their head lowered when they are born. A little bulb syringe will be used to suction any extra fluid out of the baby’s mouth and nose. The umbilical chord will be severed shortly after the infant is placed on your stomach by your healthcare practitioner.
The Third Stage of Labor (Delivery of the Placenta)
Following the baby’s birth, the third stage of labour lasts until the placenta passes through the vagina and detaches from the uterine wall. This is the shortest stage of labour and is commonly referred to as the “afterbirth” delivery. It could go anything from a few to twenty minutes. Although they won’t be as uncomfortable, contractions will still occur. During this phase of labour, any tiny tears or episiotomies you may have had will be sutured.