The stages of labour and birth
Your cervix needs to open about 10cm for your baby to pass through it. This is what's called being fully dilated.
Your cervix needs to open about 10cm for your baby to pass through it. This is what's called being fully dilated.
In a 1st pregnancy, the time from the start of established labour to being fully dilated is usually 8 to 18 hours. It's often quicker (around 5 to 12 hours), in a 2nd or 3rd pregnancy.
When you reach the end of the 1st stage of labour, you may feel an urge to push.
When you reach the end of the 1st stage of labour, you may feel an urge to push.
Labour can sometimes be slower than expected. This can happen if your contractions are not coming often enough, are not strong enough, or if your baby is in an awkward position.
If this is the case, your doctor or midwife may talk to you about 2 ways to speed up your labour
If this is the case, your doctor or midwife may talk to you about 2 ways to speed up your labour
2nd stage of labour
The 2nd stage of labour lasts from when your cervix is fully dilated until the birth of your baby.
The 2nd stage of labour lasts from when your cervix is fully dilated until the birth of your baby.
Pushing your baby out
When your cervix is fully dilated, your baby will move further down the birth canal towards the entrance to your vagina. You may get an urge to push that feels a bit like you need to poo.
If you're having your 1st baby, this pushing stage should last no-
When your cervix is fully dilated, your baby will move further down the birth canal towards the entrance to your vagina. You may get an urge to push that feels a bit like you need to poo.
If you're having your 1st baby, this pushing stage should last no-
no longer than 3 hours. If you've had a baby before, it should take no more than 2 hours.
This stage of labour is hard work, but your midwife will help and encourage you. Your birth partner can also support you
When your baby's head is almost ready to come out, your midwife-
This stage of labour is hard work, but your midwife will help and encourage you. Your birth partner can also support you
When your baby's head is almost ready to come out, your midwife-
will ask you to stop pushing and take some short breaths, blowing them out through your mouth.
This is so your baby's head can be born slowly and gently, giving the skin and muscles in the area between your vagina and anus (the perineum) time to stretch
This is so your baby's head can be born slowly and gently, giving the skin and muscles in the area between your vagina and anus (the perineum) time to stretch
3rd stage of labour
The 3rd stage of labour happens after your baby is born, when your womb contracts and the placenta comes out through your vagina.
The 3rd stage of labour happens after your baby is born, when your womb contracts and the placenta comes out through your vagina.
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