The wonderful stages of Labour

Stage One

The first stage of labour is concerned with the thinning of the cervix and its dilation to around 10cm. It is split into three phases they include:

1. The latent phase - generally, this stage is the longest and the least painful part of labour. Many woman don't realise it is even happening. The cervix can thin out over weeks, days or hours and be accompanied by mild contractions. The contractions may be regularly or irregularly spaced, or else you might not even notice them at all.
2. The active phase - the next phase is marked by strong, painful contractions that tend to occur around three or four minutes apart and last up to a minute or so. The cervix dilates to around 7cm.
3. The transition phase - the contractions become more intense, painful and frequent. It may feel like the contractions are no longer separate but running into each other. The cervix may take around an hour or so to dilate the final 3cm. This is the moment that many women dread where you have a strong urge to go to the toilet as the baby’s head pushes against the rectum, and you may have a bowel movement, remember that having a pooh during labour is normal and nothing to be concerned about, the nurses are ready for it and they see it every day.

Second Stage

Once the cervix is dilated to around 10cm, the second stage of labour can begin. The contractions should now be regular and spaced apart, so that you can relax between them (as best as you can). As each contraction builds to a peak, you may feel the urge to bear down and push. The sensation of the baby moving through the vagina is described as a stretching or burning, particularly as the baby’s head crowns (appears at the vaginal entrance). Once the head has emerged, the delivery staff will turn the body to deliver the shoulders. The rest of the baby will then slip out. This second stage typically lasts between 15 minutes to one hour.

Third stage

This stage is often forgotten and sometime shocks first time mums who think it is all over, in this stage the placenta is delivered, anywhere between 5 to 30 minutes after the birth. The uterus gently contracts to loosen and push out the placenta, although you may not be able to feel these contractions.

Fourth Stage

It maybe argued that there is a fourth stage that is often discounted as it does not apply to some women. The fourth stage is where you are checked for tears and they are repaired, some women say that the stitching was the worst part of the birth. With that in mind it is really important that you pay attention to your midwife and push at the right times, then your chances of tearing are reduced.

Braxton Hicks

Braxton-Hicks contractions are sometimes mistaken for labour and are sometimes referred to false labour. These ‘false’ contractions usually start halfway through the pregnancy and continue for the duration.

Later in the pregnancy you may find these contractions visibly harden and lift your pregnant belly. It is always best to check out any pain with a medical professional, a surprising amount of women think they are in labour and it is Braxton Hicks but the same is true the other way around many women ignore the pains thinking that they are having braxton hicks and it turns out that by the time they realise they are several centimeters dilated.

Giving birth (most women's nightmares)

This is the part of pregnancy that most woman dread and can't wait for in equal measures. It is a mixture of fear and anticipation, there are so many unknowns, whether its your first or your fifth ever birth is different.

It is perfectly natural to be scared, all mothers are a little, no matter how many children they have had or what they lead you to believe. The good thing is that most mother say that after the child is born all the memories of the labour quickly fade and many can remember very little as the fears are replaced with overwhelming joy. On the other hand some say they can remember every minute but the good news is that no matter how traumatic the birth of their first child is most aren't put off and still have another.

We think the best way to prepare yourself is to get as much information as possible about what to expect, decide what type of birth you wish to have and make a birthing plan and to attend anti natal classes with your birthing partner.

Best tip ever is, not expect the labour or birth to be exactly as you imagine them, you have to be flexible and adapt to the situation and try to take medical advice, even if it flies in the face of everything you thought you wanted.

With gaining as much knowledge as you can in mind the 3 stages of labour are as follows

• the dilation of the cervix,
• the delivery of the baby,
• and the delivery of the placenta. (many people forget this step we think its coz you never see it on the telly)

For first-time mothers, labour takes around 12 to 24 hours. Women who have undergone childbirth before can expect about seven hours of labour. But as we have said every birth is different for every mother some are really quick and others are not, most woman have different birthing experiences with different children so if you have a long hard birth the first time it does not follow that that will happen again and unfortunately vice versa.

Sex after pregnancy

With a lot of women sex is a touchy subject after giving birth they are very reluctant to get back on the horse so to speak for many reasons, not the least being that they will get pregnant again and have to go through it all again. On the other hand many woman find that their sex drive improves and they can't get enough.

After the birth the mid wife will give you advice as to when you can have sex again it is dependant on what happened at the birth. It is always good to heed their advice and be patient. Some woman find the thought of sex repulsive after giving birth and believe it or not some men feel that way too, if you are in this position or you suspect that your partners feelings about sex have changed then your only alternative is to talk to each other. Many couples split up in the first year after a baby is born and we think that sex may have a part to play in the break down of these relationships. Just explain how you are feeling and try to listen to your partners opinion, some couples find this really hard and if you think it is threatening you relationship it maybe worth getting professional help, don't just let the problem fester it will only get worse the more you leave it.