Pregnancy Overview: Different Stages of Labor

1. Pregnancy Overview: Different Stages of Labor Just imagine that you have made it through nine months of pregnancy and your big day is here. Pregnancy is full of surprises but the period of labor is no different. The period of pregnancy and childbirth varies from person to person and from pregnancy to pregnancy. Whether it is a woman's first pregnancy or not they should be aware of everything that happens to their body. In order to give birth, a woman goes through severe Early Pregnancy Complications and three precise stages of labor and childbirth. In general, labor includes (early labor, active labor, and transitional labor), pushing, delivery of the baby, delivery of the placenta. First Stage of Labor The first stage of labor begins from the time the contraction starts and ends when the cervix is fully dilated. It takes the cervix about 12-20 hours to dilate and is considered the longest stage of the labor. The first stage of labor is split up into three stages: early labor, active labor, and transitional labor. ● Early Labor: Early labor also known as the latent phase of labor is expected to occur every 5 to 20 minutes lasting about 30-60 seconds. In early labor, the cervix becomes softer and thinner to stretch in which a woman experiences different

2. journeys like the beginning of true labor contractions, vaginal discharge, and water breaking, etc. ● Active Labor: During active labor, the dilation of the cervix is considered to be 7 to 8 centimeters lasting around 40 to 60 seconds and occurring about every three to four minutes apart. The contractions occurring are stronger and painful. ● Transitional Labor: Transitional labor or the last phase of labor is the time when the cervix dilates to 10 CM and the body experiences strong contractions about every two or three minutes. Second Stage of Labor The second stage of labor in pregnancy is the time when you bring the baby into the world. The cervix is dilated to 10 CM and ends when the baby is delivered. The stage lasts for 20 minutes to 2 hours. The second stage of labor includes: 1. Pushing: Pushing the baby is really hard work, your healthcare professional will help you push at the peaks of the waves and rest when needed. 2. Choosing a birth position: There are several women who choose different birth positions like sitting, kneeling, lying down, and squatting. 3. Crowning: Crowning is the time when the top of your baby’s head appears and the moment the head is out the body will soon follow. 4. Cutting the cord: Cutting the cord is the last step of pregnancy after your baby comes out. Third Stage of Labor After you have given birth the last stage is termed Afterbirth which starts when the baby is born and ends when the placenta is out of the vagina. It is the shortest stage of labor that occurs every 5-30 minutes. A woman experiences contractions, chills, trembling, and others who need aftercare and family time. As advised by Dr. Elsa, Labour and Childbirth Treatment Specialist Once the delivery is done the women should take a warm shower and rest properly to recover from the stress of labor and childbirth.