Contents:
- Medical Video: Labor And Delivery Child Birth | Manipal Hospitals
- What stages occur in the birthing process?
- 1. Prodomal labor
- 2. The initial stage of birth (latent phase)
- 3. Stage one: active phase
- 4. Second stage
- 5. Third stage
- 6. Healing
Medical Video: Labor And Delivery Child Birth | Manipal Hospitals
When approaching the final trimester of pregnancy, you start pounding awaiting the birth of your baby. Maybe, you have taken breathing exercises before giving birth, but you are still nervous. Especially when this is your first delivery moment. Calm before giving birth is really needed. The following are the stages of the birthing process as an illustration for you.
What stages occur in the birthing process?
There are several stages that women will experience starting from the first phase before birth until the birth arrives:
1. Prodomal labor
The cervix begins to soften, stretch, move forward and slowly begin to open. Babies occupy the pelvis. At this stage of labor, you will feel a sore sensation or pressure in the lower abdomen or back. Contractions that occur at this stage usually appear and disappear irregularly, sometimes the pressure is strong, sometimes soft. This is your body's natural response to getting ready. This phase happens not for a while, around a few hours, some even experience a few days.
2. The initial stage of birth (latent phase)
The cervix remains thin and opens, extending from 3 to 4 cm. This phase is not too long, usually only around two-thirds of the total delivery time. After a few hours, the contractions will be longer, stronger, and more regular (about five minutes apart, and each interval lasts about 25 to 45 seconds, but that time varies). Another feature is the discharge of pinkish vaginal discharge during birth.
You will also feel pain like back pain or similar menstrual pain. What you need to pay attention to is the rupture of the amniotic membrane, this can occur spontaneously in the first stage of the birthing process or in the next stage. When this happens, you will feel wet. There are also those who do not experience ruptured amniotic fluid until the doctor who does it.
It's a good idea to call your doctor when you start contracting, but maybe you can still spend time making yourself as comfortable as possible, like listening to music or taking a warm bath. You can also eat foods that are easy to digest and get enough liquid drinks.
You should go to the doctor when the contractions start every five minutes, or when the membranes break. When the contractions start strong, you should try to relax yourself with a breathing strategy. You can also ask your closest relatives and husband to keep you calm and confident.
3. Stage one: active phase
At this stage, the contractions get stronger and more painful, occur about three minutes apart and last for 45 to 60 seconds. The cervix will expand rapidly, about 1.2 cm per hour. When the cervix extends from 8 to 10 cm, you are in the transition phase. Contractions will come every two to three minutes. You will also feel nauseous and your back will start to get sick.
The fix: do something active during the contraction. Now is the time you will feel the momentum of giving birth. You can do a breathing pattern and move around you and rest between contractions.
When you are in the hospital, you will be checked for temperature, blood pressure, pulse. You will also be offered various options for dealing with pain such as epidurals or anesthesia. If you can relax, you can take a shower with a warm shower, this can help you reduce pain in the lower back. You can also ask your partner to do a massage, listen to music, or take a walk.
4. Second stage
This stage is also called the pushing stage, this will last up to three hours when you are given an epidural - two hours without an epidural. The cervix will expand by about 10 cm. Contractions will be longer than a minute at intervals of two to three minutes. The baby's head drops to the vaginal area, you will feel pressure in the rectal area, aka the rectum. Some women will feel nauseous, trembling, nervous, and angry at this time.
How to overcome: do not push except when you have received a signal. Straining that isn't right can cause your cervix to swell. When you arrive, you can push by taking a deep breath, pushing like you are constipated. The doctor will also do an episiotomy, which is a short cut between the vagina and rectum, to facilitate the delivery process.
5. Third stage
These are the awaited moments, namely the stage of giving birth. The need to push is stronger when the baby's head has dropped down. You will also experience feelings of heat, stinging, and stretching during vaginal opening. The birthing stage will take around 15 to 30 minutes. If you experience an episiotomy, you will now be stitched again.
6. Healing
There is a feeling of joy, relief, awe, and joy when meeting your baby. The pain when giving birth was paid off by seeing the little face. Cold water compresses can be given to the perineum to make you comfortable and reduce swelling. Many women experience uterine cramps after giving birth.
READ ALSO:
- Changes in the Vagina After Childbirth
- 11 Risk Factors That Trigger You Giving Birth to a Premature Baby
- Benefits and risks of using an epidural during childbirth
