The more you know about labor & delivery, the smoother it’ll be.
As you approach your due date, the more questions you’ll have. Like what exactly happens during labor & delivery? What are the signs of labor? Are there different stages of labor? What types of pain medication are there?
Labor & delivery is truly an amazing thing but it can also be really scary if you go into it without knowing what to expect.
What are the signs of labor?
- “Bloody show” – Brownish or bloody discharge. “It means the blood vessels in the cervix are rupturing as it begins to efface and dilate”. 1 You may also lose your mucus plug which seals your cervix to protect your baby and keeps infections out.
- Contractions – uterine muscle spasms. Contractions feel like period cramps… but much more intense.
- Water breaking – membranes from the amniotic sac rupturing.
- Lightening crotch pain – shooting or burning nerve pain caused by your baby moving closer to your pelvis.
What are the different stages of labor?
You might be surprised but there are actually 3 different stages of labor. I never knew this until I started doing research. Stage 1 has 3 separate phases which include early labor, active labor, and transition. The second stage is pushing. The third stage is delivering the placenta.
Stage 1
Phase 1 – Early Labor: Your cervix starts to dilate and efface up to about 6 cm.
Phase 2 – Active Labor: Contractions become close together and strong. You’ll dilate up to 10 cm.
Phase 3 – Transition: Contractions will come every three to four minutes becoming way more intense, strong and painful.
Stage 2
You can begin pushing once you have reached 10 cm. You’ll push when you have a contraction. Oxygen may be used to help you breath better while pushing. Your baby’s head will come out first. The doctor will suction any liquids from the baby’s mouth and nose.
Once the baby’s head is out, the shoulders and rest of the body will be delivered. You, your partner or the doctor can cut the umbilical cord.
Stage 3
You’ll deliver the placenta after delivering your baby. The doctor may assist you by pushing on your stomach. It’s important that the entire placenta is delivered.
How long can labor & delivery take?
Every woman’s body is different so it truly does vary. “If this is your first pregnancy, labor and delivery usually lasts about 12 to 14 hours. The process is usually shorter for subsequent pregnancies.” 2
What types of medications are there?
There are only two types of medications given during labor & delivery – analgesics and anesthetics. Analgesics help reduce pain without causing complete loss of muscle movement. Epidurals are a form of an anesthetic and are very common.
According to Pregnancy Birth & Baby, “An epidural is a procedure that injects a local anaesthetic in to the space around the spinal nerves in your lower back.”
If you have a c-section, you may have general, epidural or spinal anesthesia depending on your health and baby’s.
After Birth
Whether you have a vaginal birth or c-section, you’re going to be sore. Make sure you have a great support system to help you after your baby is born so you don’t strain yourself.
Here’s what you can expect postpartum.
Postpartum can be a hard transition for many mothers but your little bundle of joy makes it all worthwhile!
References
- Losing Your Mucus Plug and Bloody Show During Pregnancy.
- Normal Labor and Delivery Process. Mary Anne Dunkin. https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/normal-labor-and-delivery-process
