Labor & Delivery
The only process that comes close to the process of writing a whole book, in my experience, is childbirth. There is this moment when you think you can't possibly labour for another moment, and that, paradoxically, is when you have to push hardest - Alexandra Fuller
image by: george ruiz
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What to Expect During the Three Stages of Labor
There may be twists and turns as your labor unfolds. But knowing what you might encounter can help you navigate this exciting but potentially challenging experience... The thought of delivering a baby, let alone the possibility of complications, can be terrifying for first-time mothers. Many women ultimately find childbirth to be empowering, however. Knowing what to expect during labor can boost your odds of having a positive experience.
Articles of Interest
Does Anything Actually Make You Go Into Labor?
Most of the popular legends are more myth than fact, but there are a couple of interesting exceptions.
How to Tell When Labor Begins
Braxton Hicks contractions can happen for many weeks before real labor begins. These “practice” contractions can be very painful and can make you think you are in labor when you are not. You might notice them more at the end of the day.
I knew I was in labour' – why are women being turned away from hospital during childbirth?
As a number of women recount how they were mistakenly told to go home and wait, before giving birth on the pavement or in a lift, experts warn that more investment in early-labour care is needed
Labour 101
As you approach labour, there are a few signs that labour and delivery are imminent. Sometime in the last several weeks prior to delivery, the baby will ‘drop’. The baby’s head will descend into your pelvis. You may notice your belly looks lower, your breathing is a bit easier, but your need to urinate increases. For some women this doesn’t happen until just before labour. Sometime in the last several days, your vaginal discharge may change as the mucus plug that has sealed your cervix releases. This will look like a brownish or bloody discharge. You may have diarrhea. Your water may break (although for most this happens during labour). If your water breaks and you are at term, your health care provider may offer or recommend induction of labour. This balances the benefit of having ruptured membranes for a shorter period of time before delivery against the benefit of spontaneous labour. You may have irregular, periodic contractions. Once your contractions are happening every 5 minutes or less, it is usually an indication that labour is beginning. A convenient guide is to wait until there have been at least 10 contractions in an hour
Stages of Labor
Labor is a process that subdivides into three stages. The first stage starts when labor begins and ends with full cervical dilation and effacement. The second stage commences with complete cervical dilation and ends with the delivery of the fetus. The third stage initiates after the fetus is delivered and ends when the placenta is delivered.
The stages of labour
If you’re having a vaginal birth, your labour will have 3 stages, from the first twinges to delivering the placenta.
The stages of labour and birth
Established labour is where your cervix has dilated to about 4cm and your contractions are stronger and more regular.
What are some common complications during labor and delivery?
Delivery may also require a provider's special attention when the pregnancy lasts more than 42 weeks, when the woman had a C-section in a previous pregnancy, or when she is older than a certain age.
