Labour is a natural process and a unique experience for every mother. For some women, it can be over in minutes, while for others, it can test their strength. Understanding the usual steps can help you get ready for the different stages of a normal delivery. Here, the best normal delivery doctor in Dum Dum has discussed the stages in detail.
1. First stage of labour: This stage is characterised by the thinning and dilation of the cervix to up to ten centimetres. It can be divided into three phases.
- The latent phase – This is the lengthiest and least painful part of labour. During this phase, the cervix undergoes thinning and dilation from zero to three centimetres. This process can take place over hours or days, and may involve mild contractions.
- The active phase – Powerful and painful contractions become prominent in this phase, normally happening every three to four minutes and lasting thirty to sixty seconds. The cervix expands from three to seven-eight centimetres.
- The transition phase – The cervix reaches full dilation from eight to ten centimetres. Contractions intensify and become more frequent and painful. Women often experience a sense of loss of control and a strong urge to urinate as the baby's head descends in the birth canal, exerting pressure against the rectum.
2. Second stage of labour: The second stage of labour begins when your cervix is fully dilated until the moment your baby is born. Contractions in this stage are regular and spaced out. With each contraction reaching its peak, women feel the instinct to push. This sensation of the baby moving through the vagina is often described as stretching or burning, especially when the baby's head crowns at the vaginal entrance.
As per the best normal delivery doctor, nurses assist women when pushing the baby to ensure a gentle delivery of the baby's head. For first-time mothers, the second stage of labour, especially with an epidural, can extend up to one to two hours. However, for those who have given birth before, this stage is usually faster. Monitoring the mother's health and the heartbeat of the newborn is crucial during this stage. Prolonged second-stage labour poses potential risks. Hence, it's vital to identify reasons for any lack of progress and take the necessary steps to assist the one in labour.
3. Third stage of labour: After the baby is born, the uterus gently contracts to expel the placenta, generally five to thirty minutes later. The uterus continues contracting to minimise bleeding, with moderate blood loss of up to five hundred millilitre. Excessive bleeding, known as postpartum haemorrhage, is potentially dangerous in this stage and can lead to anaemia and fatigue. Therefore, the third stage demands close monitoring of the mother's health.
The third stage can be monitored in two ways:
Active management – Following the baby's birth, the nurse or doctor administers an oxytocin injection and cuts the umbilical cord, and gently pulls on it to hasten placenta delivery.
Expectant management – The placenta is allowed to naturally deliver, assisted only by gravity. During this approach, the umbilical cord remains attached to the baby until it stops pulsating.
Knowing the various stages of labour helps women understand where they are on the labour spectrum. The best normal delivery doctor advises pregnant women to stay vigilant and practice self-care to have a normal and healthy delivery.
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