Stages Of Labor. What does labor feel like?
Your entire abdomen (the uterus) contracts (tightens) like a hard muscle, then relaxes. Tightening of the uterus can cause pain.
I've heard friends describe labor differently. One said her back hurt; another said it felt like the pain she had with diarrhea. Are these different types of labor?
No, these are not different types of labor. Labor is different for every woman; that's the reason we can't predict what your labor will be like before it begins. Your labor may also be different from one delivery to the next.
I've heard all sorts of stories about labor, but I don't really know what it is. Can you explain it for me?
Labor is defined as the dilatation (stretching and expanding) of your cervix. This occurs when your uterus, which is a muscle, tightens (contracts) to squeeze out its contents (your baby).
How will I know the difference between true labor and false labor?
There are differences between the two. Study the chart on the previous page so you'll be better able to distinguish the difference.
I've heard about different stages of labor. What are they?
Labor is divided into three stages each stage is distinctly different and has a specific purpose. Review the chart on pages 294 to 296 to see what you might expect during the various stages of labor and delivery.
What is the 1st stage of labor?
Stage 1 of labor is the longest and consists of three phases early active and transition. The first stage of labor usually lasts 6 to 8 hours but can be longer for a first birth.
In the early phase, labor is just getting started and dilatation of the cervix has just begun. In the active phase, the cervix dilates at a fairly constant rate; transition includes complete dilatation. Contractions help the cervix dilate and thin out. They also help move the baby down the birth canal for delivery.
At the transition phase, the pace and intensity of labor increases, signaling that labor is moving into the second stage.
What is the 2nd stage of labor?
In stage 2 of labor, you are fully dilated and begin to push. Contractions change and become much harder, longer and more frequent. Along with your pushing, these contractions help deliver the baby. This stage can take 2 hours or longer. Anesthesia at this point, especially an epidural block, may prolong this stage of labor because your urge to push is decreased. At the end of the second stage, your baby is born.
STAGES OF LABOR
Stages 1 -Early Phase
What's happening:
• Cervix opens and thins out due to uterine contractions
• Cervix dilates to about 2cm
• This phase can last 1 to 10 hours
Mother is experiencing :
• Membranes may rupture, accompanied by gush or trickle of amniotic fluid from vagina
• Pinkish discharge may appear ("bloody show")
• Mild contractions begin at 15- to 20-minute intervals; they last about 1 minute
• Contractions become closer together and more regular
What mother or labor coach can do:
• Mother should not eat or drink anything once labor begins
• Mother may be able to stay at home, if she is at term
• Begin using relaxation and breathing techniques learned in childbirth class
• If water has broken, if labor is preterm, if there is intense pain, if pain is constant or there is bright red blood, contact doctor immediately!
Stage 1 —Active Phase
What’s happening :
• Cervix dilates from about 2 to 10cm
• Cervix continues to thin out
• This phase can last 20 minutes to 2 hours
Mother is experiencing:
• Contractions become more intense • Contractions come closer together
• Contractions are about 3 minutes apart and last about 45 seconds to 1 minute
What mother and labor coach can do:
• Keep practicing relaxation and breathing techniques
An epidural can be administered during this phase
Stage 1—Transition Phase
What's happening: - Stage 1 begins to change to stage 2
- Cervix is dilated to 10cm
- Cervix continues to thin out
- This phase can last a few minutes to 2 hours
Mother is experiencing:
- Contractions are 2 to 3 minutes apart and last about 1 minute
- Mother may feel strong urge to push; she shouldn't push until cervix is completely dilated
- Mother may be moved to delivery room if she is not in a birthing room
What mother and labor coach can do:
- Relaxation and breathing techniques help counteract mother's urge to push
Stage 2
What’s happening:
- Cervix is completely dilated
- Baby continues to descend into the birth canal
- As mother pushes, baby is delivered
- Doctor or nurse suctions baby's nose and mouth, and clamps umbilical cord
- This stage can last a few minutes to a few hours (pushing the baby can last a long time)
Mother is experiencing:
- Contractions occur at 2- to 5-minute intervals and last from 60 to 90 seconds
- With an epidural, mother may find it harder to push
- An episiotomy may be done to prevent tearing vaginal tissues as baby is born
What mother and labor coach can do:
- Mother will begin to push with each contraction after cervix dilates completely
- Mother may be given analgesic or local anesthetic
- Mother must listen to doctor or nurse when baby is being delivered; doctor or nurse will tell mother when to push
- As mother pushes, she may be able to watch baby being born, if mirror is available
Stage 3
What's happening: - Placenta is delivered
- Doctor examines placenta to make sure all of it has been delivered
- Doctor repairs episiotomy
- This stage can last a few minutes to an hour
Mother is experiencing:
- Contractions may occur closer together but be less painful
What mother and labor coach can do
- Meet and hold the baby
- Mother may need to push to expel the placenta
- Mother may be able to hold baby while the doctor repairs episiotomy
- Nurse will rub or massage the uterus through the abdomen to help it contract and to control bleeding (during the next couple of days, the uterus will continue to contract, which is important to control bleeding)
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