Labor Step-By-Step: What To Expect During Childbirth
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. You’ve carried your child for nine months and have expectantly (and a little anxiously) looked forward to finally giving birth. You and your partner are simultaneously excited and nervous, especially if this is your first baby.
While each pregnancy is a little different, the childbirth process is remarkably similar. Childbirth encompasses three distinct stages of labor; each has characteristic traits that moms-to-be can expect to experience. In this article, we’ll describe these stages as well as the emotional and physical tests on your endurance.
First Stage – Beginning Labor
This phase spans the longest period of time, but the contractions you’ll experience are not nearly as powerful as those you’ll feel later (a mixed blessing, to be sure). As your cervix effaces (or dilates) to three or four centimeters, you’ll feel mild contractions. In the beginning, they’ll only last for 20 or 30 seconds and be spaced up to 20 minutes apart. As this first phase progresses, they’ll gradually grow in length and intensity, and they’ll occur closer together.
You’ll increasingly feel mild backaches and cramping. You may also notice a vaginal mucous discharge with slight tinges of blood. This is normal and unless you see a large amount of blood, there’s no need for concern.
Second Stage – From Passive To Active
The most significant distinction between the first and second phases of labor are the potency of the contractions. They occur with greater frequency, last much longer (up to one minute), and are far more intense. Expecting women can usually talk through their contractions during the first phase; this is not the case during the second phase.
Your cervix will quickly dilate up to seven or eight centimeters. It’s possible that your baby will begin her descent in preparation for her birth, though this might not happen until the following stage.
Third Stage – Making The Transition
During this final phase of labor, your contractions will become intense and longer. It’s not uncommon for them to last up to a minute and a half while being spaced a few minutes apart. Thankfully, this period is typically a short one; it will normally last between ten minutes and one full hour.
During transitional labor, you’ll experience a number of symptoms such as nausea, chills, pain in your lower back, and pressure within the rectal area. Many pregnant women at this juncture of childbirth also sweat profusely while a tight sensation in their throat builds. Your cervix will continue to open to its full ten centimeters and you might notice a vaginal discharge due to rupturing capillaries. At this point, your baby’s birth is right around the corner.
Childbirth is an extraordinary time as both partners welcome their new baby into the world. That said, mothers-to-be can expect to endure an increasing amount of discomfort leading up to the birth of their child. It will be both emotionally and physically draining. However, once past the three stages of labor, both partners can look forward to caring for the new member of their family.
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