Birth — and How You Get Through It
You have made it this far; so take some comfort first of all in knowing that labor and delivery comprise only a small portion of the total birth experience. Do you feel better now? Okay, with this new perspective in mind, you can move on to the three stages of birth and what you can anticipate.
Stage One: Labor
Labor itself takes three stages to accomplish its mission: early labor (about five to eight hours, but possibly longer if this is your first baby), which brings with it irregular contractions that open your cervix to about four centimeters; active labor (about two or three hours), which brings intensifying contractions that are closer together and open your cervix to about eight centimeters; and transition (30 minutes to two hours), which is hard labor and opens your cervix to the 10 centimeters needed for pushing.
False Versus Real Labor
Many women dash off to the hospital at the first sign of contractions, but just because there are a few labor pains happening doesn't necessarily mean you're in active labor. False labor is sporadic and unpredictable, and it may disappear altogether if you change position or get up and move around a bit. Real (or active) labor is marked by pain occurring in regular intervals, increasing in intensity until it becomes difficult to breathe or talk through each contraction.
In active labor, the breaking of the bag of waters can also be a telltale sign that labor is real. Often, a small amount of blood-tinged mucous may pass from the vagina prior to your water breaking — and sometimes, your water won't break until the doctor or midwife makes it happen in the delivery room! That's why you need to rely on timing and intensity of contractions as an indicator of labor.
Essential
If you're feeling a little anxious about the details of the birth, it might help you to learn as much as you can about the stages of labor. If you're like most women, you've already flipped to this section before reading any of the early pregnancy information — to mentally prepare yourself for the moment you've likely dreamed about for quite some time.
Stage Two: Birth of the Baby
This is that glorious stage where you get to push the baby out of your body and into the world. You will be totally focused on getting the baby out, and your partner may need to stay close to your head to help you stay focused. At this point, if you feel like it, you can try whatever position makes you feel most comfortable (sitting up, lying down, squatting, or a side position).
As the baby moves further down in the birth canal, you will feel more and more like pushing. If your doctor says it's okay, do so. If he asks you to pant or blow instead, do as you are instructed, since you might have to have an episiotomy if the doctor thinks you might tear your vaginal opening. This will only take a minute to do and most doctors will perform it only if it is necessary (though you should discuss this ahead of time). Stitching you back together after episiotomy generally takes another 30 to 45 minutes.
Water Birthing
According to the National Women's Health Information Center, more and more women in the United States are using water to find comfort during labor and delivery. In water birthing, laboring women get into a tub of water that is between 90 and 100 degrees. Some women get out of the tub to give birth. Others remain in the water for delivery.
The water helps women feel physically supported. It also keeps them warm and relaxed. This eases the pain of labor and delivery for many women. Plus, it's easier for laboring women to move and find comfortable positions in the water.
Essential
Water birthing is relatively new in this country, so there's very little research on its benefits. Even so, some women say giving birth in the water is faster and easier. Plus, women may tear less severely and need fewer episiotomies in the water.
Water birthing may be gentler for your baby too. It may ease the baby's transition from the womb to the new world. The baby is born into an environment that is similar to the womb. Plus, the water dulls the lights, sound and feel of the new world. Once the baby is born, it's brought to the surface of the water and wrapped in blankets.
Ask your doctor or midwife if you are a good candidate for water birthing. Water birth is not safe for women or babies who have health issues.
Stage Three: After Birth
This is the stage where your hormones trigger delivery of the placenta, and it is either pushed out by you or removed by your doctor. The doctor will then check it over for signs of any problems and assist you in the beginning of your recovery by suturing any tears or incisions from an episiotomy. He will likely give you some bonding time with baby and then visit you later with aftercare instructions and tips.
