You may feel overwhelmed, and it's also normal to feel discouraged, as though labor will never end. What to Do : Imagine you're in a place that makes you feel safe and relaxed—lying on the beach, resting against a tree, or sitting in a rocking chair in your baby's nursery. Breathe deeply and develop the scene, filling in the details.
What do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? If you're in more pain than you expected, it's usually not too late to ask for pain relief at this point. However, whether you get any will depend on whether an anesthesiologist is available.
The second stage of childbirth begins when the cervix is fully dilated. Your baby is moving down the birth canal. Contractions continue to be strong, lasting for about 60 seconds and coming 3 to 5 minutes apart. You will likely feel a strong urge to push.
The overwhelming urge to bear down continues, and as soon as your cervix is fully dilated, your practitioner will probably give you the go ahead to push. Contractions don't stop now, though they often come farther apart. Some women experience nausea and vomiting.
As you begin pushing, you may become increasingly breathless and fatigued—you're getting what is likely the hardest workout of your life. How Long It Lasts : The pushing and birth stage spans 1 to 2 hours for a first labor, and 15 to 30 minutes for subsequent labors.
If your baby is in distress at this point, or if she doesn't seem to be making her way through the birth canal, your doctor may decide to deliver her by C-section or use forceps to help her out. Signs : You may feel intense pain around your vaginal and perineal areas as the baby's head crowns, or protrudes at its widest part outside the vaginal opening.
If you have an episiotomy an incision made in the area between the vagina and the rectum to widen the vaginal opening it will probably happen at this point. You may be asked to push more gently or slowly as the rest of your baby's head and body emerge. Finally, with one last push, your baby is out in the world! What to Do : Take solace in knowing that you're almost there! Concentrate on pushing your baby down and out.
Your partner can help by encouraging you to push and to rest in between pushes. Don't be afraid to try different positions —for instance, get on your hands and knees or kneel while your partner supports your upper body.
The incredible moment of your baby's birth is followed swiftly by the delivery of the placenta sometimes called "the afterbirth". You'll likely be so absorbed in getting to know your newborn that you won't notice much about this stage! How Long It Lasts : Delivery of the placenta generally lasts 1 to 20 minutes for first and subsequent pregnancies. Signs : Minutes after your baby is born, you feel contractions again.
However, it varies from person to person, and it's even considered normal if early labor lasts 20 to 40 hours. That said, it can also be much shorter, too. Labor is different for everybody, and there isn't a way to predict how long your phases will last. Di Julio recommends taking a warm shower, doing some relaxing breathing exercises, listening to calming music, or trying out different positions on your birthing ball to deal with the pain that comes along with this phase at home.
Active labor is far more intense than early labor. At this point, contractions will likely be around every three to four minutes, last for 60 to 90 seconds , and be more severe. On top of the contractions, you may feel pressure or pain in your back. On average, it takes one to two hours for the cervix to dilate every centimeter from six centimeters to 10 centimeters. Therefore, this stage lasts around four to eight hours, but it can last longer, according to the Mayo Clinic.
This is the phase of labor where you'll be heading to the hospital, where a nurse or doctor can give you pain medications if you choose. You have a few options here:. This phase is when you deliver the baby. At this point, you're fully dilated and ready to push. The contractions might even give you the urge and motivation to push, which Di Julio says can make the pain a little easier to manage at this point.
As with the other phases, there's no telling exactly how long stage two will last for you since it varies greatly from person to person. If it's your first time giving birth, this phase can last up to two hours. If it's not your first time, it should be more like one hour.
Research indicates that if this phase lasts for more than four hours it increases the risk that the baby will suffer complications due to lack of oxygen that could lead to brain damage, seizures, and breathing problems. You can push while squatting, sitting, kneeling — even on your hands and knees. At some point, you might be asked to push more gently — or not at all. Slowing down gives your vaginal tissues time to stretch rather than tear. To stay motivated, you might ask to feel the baby's head between your legs or see it in a mirror.
After your baby's head is delivered, the rest of the baby's body will follow shortly. His or her airway will be cleared if necessary. Your health care provider or labor coach will then cut the umbilical cord. After your baby is born, you'll likely feel a great sense of relief.
You might hold the baby in your arms or on your abdomen. Cherish the moment. But a lot is still happening. During the third stage of labor, you will deliver the placenta. How long it lasts: The placenta is typically delivered in five to 30 minutes, but the process can last as long as an hour.
What you can do: Relax! By now your focus has likely shifted to your baby. You might be oblivious to what's going on around you. If you'd like, try breast-feeding your baby. You'll continue to have mild contractions. They'll be close together and less painful.
You'll be asked to push one more time to deliver the placenta. You might be given medication before or after the placenta is delivered to encourage uterine contractions and minimize bleeding. Your health care provider will examine the placenta to make sure it's intact. Any remaining fragments must be removed from the uterus to prevent bleeding and infection. If you're interested, ask to see the placenta. After you deliver the placenta, your uterus will continue to contract to help it return to its normal size.
Your health care provider will also determine whether you need stitches or repair of any tears of your vaginal region. If you don't have anesthesia, you'll receive an injection of local anesthetic in the area to be stitched. Savor this special time with your baby. Your preparation, pain and effort have paid off. Revel in the miracle of birth. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.
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