Table of contents:
- What stages occur in childbirth?
- 1. Prodomal labor
- 2.The initial stage of birth (latent phase)
- 3. Phase one: active phase
- 4. The second stage
- 5. The third stage
- 6. Healing
As you approach the final trimester of pregnancy, you begin to flutter waiting for the birth of your baby. Maybe, you did some breathing exercises before giving birth, but you are still nervous. Especially when this is your first childbirth moment. Calmness before childbirth is necessary. The following are the stages during the birthing process to illustrate for you.
What stages occur in childbirth?
There are several stages that will be experienced by women starting from the first phase before birth until the birth arrives:
1. Prodomal labor
The cervix begins to soften, loosen, move forward and slowly begin to open. The baby occupies the pelvis. At this stage of childbirth, you will feel a sore sensation or pressure in the lower abdomen or back. The contractions that occur at this stage usually appear and disappear irregularly, sometimes the pressure is strong, sometimes gentle. This is your body's natural response to getting ready. This phase occurs not briefly, about several hours, some even experience several days.
2.The initial stage of birth (latent phase)
The cervix remains thin and open, widening from 3 to 4 cm. This phase is not very long, usually only about two-thirds of the stage of the total delivery time. After a few hours, the contractions will become longer, stronger, and more regular (about five minutes apart, and each interval lasts about 25 to 45 seconds, but time varies). Another characteristic is pink discharge during birth.
You will also feel pain like back pain or like menstrual pain. What you need to pay attention to is the rupture of the amniotic membrane, this can happen spontaneously in the first stage of childbirth or at a later stage. When this happens, you will feel wet. There are also those who do not experience a rupture of the amniotic fluid until the doctor does.
It's a good idea to call your doctor when contractions start, but you may still be able to spend some time making yourself as comfortable as possible, such as listening to music or taking a warm bath. You can also eat foods that are easy to digest and get enough fluids and drinks.
You should see a doctor when the contractions start every five minutes, or when the water breaks. When the contractions start to get stronger, you should try to relax yourself with a breathing strategy. You can also ask your closest relatives and husband to keep you calm and confident.
3. Phase one: active phase
At this stage, the contractions get stronger and more painful, occurring about three minutes apart and lasting 45 to 60 seconds. The cervix will dilate rapidly, approximately 1.2 cm per hour. When the cervix is dilated from 8 to 10 cm, you are in a transitional stage. The contractions will come every two to three minutes. You will also feel nauseous and your back will start to hurt more.
The fix: do something active during the contraction. These are the times you will feel the momentum of giving birth. You can do the breathing pattern and move around you and rest between contractions.
When you are in the hospital, you will be checked for temperature, blood pressure, pulse. You will also be offered various options for pain management such as epidurals or anesthesia. If you can relax, you can take a warm shower, this can help you reduce lower back pain. You can also ask your partner to do a massage, listen to music, or go for a walk.
4. The second stage
Also called the pushing stage, it will last up to three hours when you are given an epidural - two hours without an epidural. The cervix will be about 10 cm wide. The contractions will last longer than a minute at intervals of two to three minutes. The baby's head goes down to the vaginal area, you will feel pressure in the rectal area, aka the rectum. Some women will feel nauseous, trembling, restless, and angry at this time.
The fix: do not push unless you are on cue. Unsuitable straining can cause your cervix to swell. When the time comes, you can push by taking a deep breath, pushing like you are constipated. The doctor will also perform an episiotomy, which is a short cut in the area between the vagina and rectum, to make childbirth easier.
5. The third stage
These are the moments awaited, the childbirth stage. The need to push gets stronger as the baby's head drops down. You will also experience a burning, stinging, and stretching feeling at the opening of the vagina. The birthing stage will take about 15 to 30 minutes. If you had an episiotomy, you will be sutured again at this time.
6. Healing
There is a feeling of joy, relief, awe, and joy when meeting your baby. The pain during childbirth paid off by looking at your little one's face. Cold compresses can be applied to the perineum to make you comfortable and reduce swelling. Many women experience uterine cramps after giving birth.
