The thought of childbirth or delivery can be daunting and extremely scary, especially if this is your first baby. The uncertainty and lack of knowledge of what is transpire is the main hurdle that a first time mother has to overcome. Childbirth classes can be helpful to you prepare for this final stage of your pregnancy and answer many of your questions.
Alternatively you can discuss your concerns with your gynecologist and obstetrician who will direct you to appropriate reading material and videos on the labor process.
The question that most women want to ask is “How will I know when labor is starting?” That is indeed a very important question but it is often very difficult to differentiate between ‘true’ and ‘false’ labor pain.
The basic point you need to remember is that if the pain is coming regularly, increasing in intensity with each contraction, and the gap between pains is gradually becoming less, then chances are that you are going into labor.
On the other hand, ‘false’ labor pain causes contractions that come irregularly, do not increase in intensity, and are often relieved upon walking or lying down.
The other signs of labor, in addition to true labor pains are :
The labor process is divided into 3 parts.
This is the time from onset of regular contractions (onset of labor) till the cervix is fully dilated (10cm). At this point the cervix is said to be fully effaced – there is no rim of cervix felt around the head.
This is usually the longest stage of labor and can take from 8 to 12 hours if this is your first pregnancy, or 6 to 8 hours in subsequent pregnancies. Although it may be difficult to pinpoint exactly when labor started, as a rule, contractions occurring every 2 to 3 minutes and lasting for 30 to 45 seconds signify that the labor process has started and delivery is imminent.
This is the time from full dilatation of the cervix to birth of the baby. This can take from a few minutes to 2 hours, and will usually take between 45 minutes to 2 hours if this is your first childbirth, or may take only 15 to 45 minutes in subsequent deliveries.
With each contraction you get an urge to push (you should push during contractions and rest in between) until the baby is finally out. The umbilical cord is clamped and cut after delivery of the baby.
This is the time taken from birth of the baby till delivery of the placenta. After delivery of the baby, the uterus contracts so that the placenta separates out from it and can be removed. You might have chills and trembling at this stage.
Sometimes, the hour following delivery of the placenta is referred to as the “fourth stage of labor” and is important because this is the time when there is maximum chance of severe bleeding (postpartum hemorrhage). Women with certain risk factor
You may choose to have a natural birth without any drugs or you may want to go for something to help you relieve the pain during childbirth. Your doctor will be the best person to advise you regarding your medication options. Normally IV (intravenous) or epidural medications are given for pain relief.
During delivery, the position of your baby is very important. Normally the baby comes out head first but at other times the buttocks or feet may be the first to come out (breech delivery) or the face or shoulder may be the presenting part.
You may need an episiotomy (a surgical incision given in the area between the vagina and anus to help easy delivery of the baby) or a forceps delivery. A Cesarean section may need to be done in certain situations, where the baby cannot come out through the vagina, or in case of some life-threatening condition to save you or the baby.
