Is your baby due soon? Let's learn exactly about the stages of labor!

As the day your little one is about to come into this world approaches, you feel a lot of things, don't you? You may feel a little scared, but also a lot of joy and impatience. All of this is very normal. So, today, let's talk about the most important and final part of this beautiful journey, that is, how the labor process takes place and what are the chances of it.

What are the main stages of childbirth?

Simply put, the entire process of your baby and placenta coming out of the uterus through the vagina can be divided into three main stages.

• Stage 1: The beginning of labor (contractions)
• Stage 2: Labor and delivery
• Case 3: Placental abruption

Doctors call this a "normal labor." But that doesn't mean everything has to happen this way. You may have to go through a few of these situations, but the baby may end up being delivered by cesarean section (C-section). Or you may not have to experience any of these situations because you had a planned C-section. So remember, every birth is unique .

It's normal to feel scared when you don't know exactly what's going to happen with something this big. But your doctor and the medical team are there to support you throughout this journey. Both you and they have the same goal: a healthy baby.

First time: The beginning of the week

This is the first and longest stage of labor. It begins when you start having regular contractions. It ends when your cervix is ​​fully dilated and effaced. It usually lasts between 12 and 19 hours. However, if you have had babies before, it may take much less time.

This first opportunity is also divided into two parts:

• Early labor: In this stage, the cervix opens to about 6 centimeters. This usually takes about 6-12 hours.
• Active labor: This is when your cervix is ​​10 centimeters, meaning it's fully dilated. You may start to feel the urge to push. This usually takes about 4-8 hours.

In the early stages, you can stay at home, but you should be prepared to go to the hospital. Once the active phase begins, it is definitely best to stay in the hospital.

First time pain relief

The following things can help you reduce pain during this time:

• Do stretches regularly.
• Meditate to calm your mind.
• Move around, walk, without staying in one position.
• Take a deep breath and exhale slowly.
• Take a bath with lukewarm water, not hot.
• Use a birthing ball.

It's a great strength to have your husband, mother, sister, or best friend by your side during this time. If the pain is unbearable, never be afraid to talk to your medical team about pain relief options.

Second time: When the baby comes out

This stage begins when the cervix is ​​fully dilated to 10 centimeters. It ends when your precious baby is born. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.

At this point, here are the things that happen:

• Contractions come every two to five minutes. Each one lasts about 60-90 seconds.
• You will feel like pushing when you have a contraction. You can rest a little between contractions. Your doctor will tell you exactly when to push.
• The baby's head begins to emerge from the vagina. We call this "crowning."
• The doctor is very carefully helping to remove the baby from the vagina.
• After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut.

Third stage: Placental abruption

This stage begins after the baby is born and ends when the placenta is delivered. This is the shortest stage. It usually lasts no more than 30 minutes.

At this time,

• Within 5-30 minutes after the baby is born, small contractions begin to occur again. These help the placenta to leave the uterus.
• You may have to push a little, or the doctor will press on your abdomen to help the placenta come out.
• There may be a little more bleeding when the placenta comes out or for a short time afterwards.
• Some mothers may feel cold or feverish. If this happens, tell the medical team immediately.

If you had a C-section, your doctor will remove the placenta as soon as you deliver your baby. They will make sure that no pieces of the placenta are left inside. If you had an episiotomy or tear in your vagina, they will sew it up after the placenta comes out.

Is this really Wednesday? How do I know?

It can sometimes be difficult to tell if you're having real labor or just practice contractions like Braxton Hicks. Real labor has a clear pattern, and it gradually increases in intensity. Pay attention to these three things.

When should I go to the hospital?

Usually, you will need to go to the hospital when you first start active labor.

If your water breaks, call your doctor or hospital immediately, whether you feel contractions or not. If you are unsure or notice anything different, never hesitate to let your medical team know.

Situations where you need to go to the hospital immediately

If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately :

• Chest pain
• Dizziness or fainting (syncope)
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive swelling of the hands, feet, or face (edema)
• Excessive bleeding
• Significant decrease in baby's fussiness

What happens when you go to the hospital?

When you arrive at the hospital, you will need to register in the labor room. From there, you will be taken to a triage room. Then, you will be admitted to the delivery room (LDR room).

These things will happen there:

• The hospital will give you a dress to wear.
• They will check your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature.
• An external fetal monitor (a device that looks like a belt) is placed around your abdomen to measure your baby's heartbeat and uterine contractions.
• A doctor will perform a cervical exam to see how far along the labor is.
• An IV line may be placed in a vein in your arm to give you saline and necessary medications.