Normal Delivery

Stages of Birth for Normal Delivery:

First Stage:        

In the first stage, you may experience uterine contractions for about 30 seconds each and they occur every 15-20 minutes. As time passes these contractions occur frequently (3-4 minutes apart) and last longer than a minute. Normally you doctor me attend you when these contractions come every 5 minutes. Many women experience false labour also called as Braxton- Hicks contractions. Mostly all women delivering their first child experience this false labour. These contractions reappear but fade away when the mother starts walking. If a woman who is in real labour starts walking, the contractions become more intense. Labour often appears after a bloody discharge is ousted from the cervix. Generally, the amniotic sac ruptures in later stages of labour. In some cases, the amniotic sac ruptures before labour. When the labour doesn’t begin on its own, the doctor might stimulate labour with medications to avoid the risk of infection.

In this stage of labour the cervix begins to open or dilate, shortens in length and becomes thin. This helps the baby to move towards the birth canal. The first stage is the longest one, for first time mothers this stage lasts from hours to days. It’s often shorter for women who have already given birth before.

During active labour, the cervix dilates to 10 cm or little less than 4 inches. you might feel nauseated and leg cramping. In this part of the first stage the labour intensifies and becomes more regular. You may feel discomfort and pressure on your back. Try breathing and relaxation techniques.

Second Stage:

In the second stage delivery of the baby is done. It may take from a few minutes to a few hours to deliver the baby. You will feel a strong urge to push. When you are dilated fully, your doctor will ask you to push during each contraction. These contractions will now appear every 60-90 seconds. You might be asked to push in different positions like sitting, kneeling, squatting. Your doctor may recommend relaxation or gentle pushing at intervals so that your vaginal muscles do not tear. In this stage a small incision may be made in the tissue between the vagina and the anus to prevent it from tearing due to the pressure. Baby’s head is delivered first then the baby is rotated manually so that the shoulders are delivered subsequently. Then rest of the baby’s body will follow easily. Baby’s airways are cleared out and the umbilical cord is cut.

Third Stage:

In the third stage of labour, the placenta is delivered. Placenta is an organ that develops during pregnancy, and it provides nutrition and oxygen to the baby in the womb and also removes waste from the baby’s blood. Delivery of the placenta happens within a few minutes. Contractions will become mild during this time. Your doctor will ask you to push one more time.  Once the placenta is delivered the doctor will examine the placenta to check if it is intact and there are no residues left inside the uterus. Any fragments left are removed from the uterus to prevent infection. After the delivery your uterus will start contracting to its normal size. If an incision was made it will be stitched up.