The process of labor and delivery is divided into three stages. Since the length of labor varies among moms, it’s hard to give an accurate prediction how long it will last for you. Guess you have to wait until it actually happens.🤗🧐
First stage of labor
👶Early labor
In the early labor phase, you should expect contractions striking at relatively regular intervals and intensifying over time.😫 Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish them from Braxton Hicks contractions which occur irregularly and don’t cause pain.
Eventually the contractions will come every four to five minutes and last for 40-60 seconds each. Gradually they get longer, stronger and closer together, creating painful yet mild torment so you can still talk through them.😣 The bloody show follows with pink or brightly red vaginal discharge.🩸 If you see your water break🌊 before contractions begin, you have to call your doctor immediately.
👶Active labor
Your contractions become increasingly intense and you’ll no longer be able to rest.☹️ As your cervix dilates more quickly up to 6cm, the contractions last every 2½ to 3 minutes, or even up to 5 minutes. Your baby👶 also starts to descend into your pelvis and prepares for exiting. Sometimes, epidural anesthesia causes blood pressure to drop, making you feel like vomiting and nauseated.🤢
If this is your first baby, this phase will last between 5 to 7 hours on average. If you’ve had a baby before, the active phase will go faster between 2 to 4 hours on average. If you have a big baby or twins, labor may last even longer.😀
👶Transition
Your cervix dilates from 8 to a full 10cm. Contractions are coming every two to three minutes and lasting a minute or more. When your baby is moving downward, you will feel the urge to push and rectal pressure as if your bowels were moving.😣
The anguish kicks in and you start making deep grunting sounds.😣 It’s nearly time to push! If you have an epidural, you will probably handle the pain a bit better. The pressure you’ll feel in your lower back and rectum depends on your baby’s position and the type and amount of injection you get.
Lots of blood will come out.🩸 You may feel nauseated or even vomit due to the pain.🤮
Second stage of labor
You are completely ready for childbirth.😃 This stage is the most work for you since you start pushing out your baby. At the beginning of the second stage, your contractions may be a little further apart, leaving you some spaces to breathe and rest.😌 Then, you start pushing and moving the baby down the birth canal.
Bearing down can offer you some relief. Take it slow and listen to your coach as you will be instructed when to push with each contraction to accelerate the baby’s exit.👶 You may need episiotomy which is a small cut at the opening of the vagina to create a clear path for your baby.
Crowning is the process of your baby’s head slowly appearing. The doctor👩⚕️ may use a forcep to help your baby out more easily. Now you feel more compelled to push. With each contraction, more parts of your baby’s body become visible. At some point, a slow and controlled push is required to allow your baby to gradually stretch out your vagina and prevent the perineum from tearing.🧐
Push a bit more! The whole head gradually appears in awe.🤗 Your baby turns to the side, paving the way for her shoulders and the rest of the body to come out. Finally, your baby is out and removed from any blockages while the umbilical cord is cut!😍 Then your baby is dried off with a towel and kept warm.
Third stage of labor
Right after giving birth, your uterus begins contractions again to separate the placenta from your uterine wall. It’s usually just a one final push that is short and not difficult at all.😃
Congratulations! You did it!🤗 Your pregnancy journey finally comes to an end and your baby is born. Enjoy your skin-to-skin special moment with your little angel and get started breastfeeding.😙