Vaginal Delivery

Delivering your baby is a rush, but it can also be a little bit scary. Remember that babies have arrived vaginally since the dawn of time, and that two-thirds of American babies still debut this way! The first-time mom can expect to labor for about fourteen hours, while repeat moms tend to take around eight. But because labor CAN last a few days, it helps to be prepared! Childbirth begins with labor, a three-stage process. The first stage of labor has 2 phases, latent and active phase. Latent labor is the longest phase and lasts from a few days to a few weeks. During latent labor, your cervix will dilate about three centimeters, a process that results in mild, brief contractions, which are spaced five to twenty minutes apart. Your amniotic sac MAY rupture now, but it’s more likely that your water will break once you’re in the hospital. Expect to notice discharge, known as the bloody show, and to experience back aches and cramping. At the end of latent labor, the active labor phase begins and you’ll head to the hospital. During active labor, which usually lasts for several hours, your contractions will strengthen and occur about every three minutes. Try to stay as comfortable as possible during this period. Don’t be afraid to ask for a back rub, or for help walking through a contraction. During the active phase of labor, you’ll start your breathing exercises, if you plan to use them. If you’re having a medicated birth and have not yet done so, you might ask for pain-relief now. At this point your cervix will open past four centimeters and labor will quicken. The result is very strong contractions which last about a minute and are spaced quite closely together. This part of your labor can be VERY intense, and you may experience nausea, fatigue, chills or sweats, and strong pressure in your lower back and rectum. Once your cervix is fully-dilated to ten centimeters, your labor will end and it will be time for stage two of childbirth: the delivery! To push your baby through the birth canal, a process that can take 60 minutes to several hours, you’ll get into your preferred birthing position. Following the instructions of your doctor, you’ll push as if you’re having a bowel movement with each contraction. And don’t worry: Your bowels and bladder may empty, or you may vomit, and that’s normal! Between contractions, you’ll rest and conserve your energy for that next push. Soon, your baby’s head will appear, or crown. Once the head emerges fully, your doctor will suck mucous out of your baby’s nose and mouth, and then guide him or her the rest of the way. The umbilical cord will be cut and your baby will be in your arms! But YOU’RE not done! It’s time for stage three of childbirth: delivery of the placenta. This usually doesn’t last longer than 20 minutes and is accompanied by mild contractions. Once the placenta is delivered, your doctor will stitch up any tears and you’ll be free to nurse and cuddle your new arrival. Congratulations, Mom!