Delivery of a baby is different for each woman. Some deliveries are long and arduous; others are relatively short. However, every labor is the same---if it is not a C-section---in that there are three stages that you go through. The three stages are labor, the dilation of the cervix---when the woman is told she can push---and finally, the third stage of labor happens after the baby is out and the placenta is expelled.
First Part of Labor
During the first stage, labor can be divided into two parts, according to MayoClinic.com. The first part is considered early labor and your cervix is beginning to dilate. Your contractions will last anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds and come every five to 20 minutes. You may have what is known as a bloody show as your cervix opens. This is when you discharge a bloody, threadlike secretion.
Second Part of Labor
The second part of labor is when you go into what is known as active labor. During this stage, your cervix will open to 10 cm. As the pain becomes more severe, don't think that you must endure it stoically. You can ask the anesthesiologist for help by receiving an epidural or some other form of pain medication. Do not push until you are fully dilated and told to. Rely on your partner for support and use some of the techniques you learned in your birthing class like breathing, panting or rolling on a birthing ball.
Second Stage
The second stage is when you begin to push and eventually give birth to your baby. For some women this stage may come quickly. For other women it can take longer, especially if you've been given an epidural. Your doctor may give you an episiotomy, a small cut to enlarge the vaginal opening. You will not feel this. At some point, you will be asked to not push and this may be difficult as your body is ready to do what it knows to do. This is usually right after the head comes out and the doctor will need to clear the baby's breathing passageway. Then the body will follow. During this second stage, you can position your body in any way that feels best for you to deliver. You can squat, kneel or lift yourself up on your hands and knees.
Third Stage of Delivery
The third stage of delivery is when the placenta is pushed out. The placenta is an organ that fastens the fetus to the uterine wall allowing nutrients to be absorbed by the fetus from the mother's blood supply. During this stage, you will have contractions again and they begin five to ten minutes after the birth of your baby. You may have chills or shakiness. The placenta takes between five to 30 minutes to be pushed out, according to the March of Dimes.
Considerations
After the delivery of your baby, you will have time to rest while your doctor sews up your episiotomy, if you had one. The baby is taken from you temporarily to be weighed, measured and wrapped in birthing blankets. Then you are given the baby to hold or nurse. The birth of your baby is a special time and should be approached with joy. However, it is not unusual for a new mother to be apprehensive about giving birth, so speak to your health care provider if you have questions that need to be further explained.
