After covering the three trimesters in pregnancy, now comes the most crucial part, which you, me, every MTBs, would definitely am dying to know - The Stages and Phases of Labour!
I woke up this morning, thinking if it is necessary to enrol myself and my hubby for the childbirth class on 'Pain Relief' and 'Labour & Delivery'. Many says 'Go for it. Get yourself prepared'. Yet, when I think about it, lessons are in theory, we still won't be able to visualise how it is going to 'feel', as it differs for every individual. However, it is your decision. If you feel more 'prepared' unless you have attended the lessons, by all means ~ again, there's no right or wrong.
I have bought books from bookstores and basically they explained the different stages and phases of labour and what to expect as well. I surf the net on all topics and gain much knowledge as well, hence I decided to give the classes a 'Miss'.
For the benefits of MTBs, here's what I have consolidated (for your convenience).
The stages and phases (concurrently) are summarized as follows:-
1a. PreLabour - this could be a combination of physical signs such as a 'show' (mild bleeding), diarrhoea (or loose bowel motions), nausea, possibly vomiting, backache, period pain, perhaps the waters breaking or some mild to moderate regular or irregular contractions. During this time the cervix softens and ripens, thins out and starts to open slightly (or 'dilate'), up to about 1- 3cm.
1b. Early Phase of 1st Stage Labour - the contractions start to become regular and more painful. During this time the cervix is very thin and opens (or dilates) to about 3- 4cm or more - Try to relax, start to breathe along with some of the stronger contractions.
1c. Active phase of 1st stage or established labour (approx. 30mins to 10hours) - Contractions become stronger and closer together. During this time the cervix is opening (or dilating) from about 4 cm to around 7- 8cm. The terms 'active 1st stage' and 'established labour' essentially mean the same thing. Established labour is the term predominantly used by most caregivers.
1d. End of 1st Stage or Transition Period (approx. 10mins to 2.5hours) - During 'transition', the contractions become so strong and close together that many women experience the urges to push, or feelings of pressure in their bottom, as the baby's head moves lower down into their vagina. The woman can often experience feelings of being 'out of control' or not wanting to 'do it anymore'. Some women make lots of noise, or will moan or grunt at this time. The woman may seriously contemplate pain relief in transition, but often when they know they are nearly there, they are motivated to keep going. During transition the cervix opens from about 7- 8cm to 10 cms (or 'fully dilated').
2a. 2nd stage (approx. 5mins to 3hours) ; Resting phase - After transition, there is often a noticeable break between the contractions (or they may even stop for a while). This is a resting phase that can happen, as the mother's body re-adjusts to prepare for the pushing phase. Many women have no urge to push at this time. During the resting phase the cervix is fully dilated (10-cm). The water bag is now broken.
2b. 2nd stage; Active or pushing phase - The active, or pushing, phase of the 2nd stage of labour is normally characterised by very strong contractions, which are generally further apart than they were during the 1st stage. The woman usually has an urge to push (or a sensation of wanting to open her bowels). The baby is starting to make the journey out of the woman's uterus, through her pelvis and down the vagina (or birth canal).
2c. End of 2nd stage; 'Crowning' - The end of the 2nd stage is when the baby's head 'crowns' is clearly visible at the opening of the woman's vagina. The perineum is stretched to the maximum, and most women can often feel a strong, burning sensation. The woman usually needs to 'pant' or breathe at this time, rather than pushing, to help ease her baby's head out.
2d. The Birth - The baby's head is usually born with the next contraction after 'crowning'. The woman needs to wait for another contraction before the baby's body is born. Your baby has completed the birth journey into the outside world!
3. 3rd stage of labour - Within 5 to 20 minutes of the baby being born, the woman's uterus contracts again, and in doing this reduces the size. This action shears the placenta off the wall of the uterus, so that it can come down and out the birth canal.
Wow, that is a whole lot of stages and phases, looks simple, but it is definitely not.
So are you opting for delivery with / without epidural??
Next entry I shall touch on 'Breathing Techniques'.
I woke up this morning, thinking if it is necessary to enrol myself and my hubby for the childbirth class on 'Pain Relief' and 'Labour & Delivery'. Many says 'Go for it. Get yourself prepared'. Yet, when I think about it, lessons are in theory, we still won't be able to visualise how it is going to 'feel', as it differs for every individual. However, it is your decision. If you feel more 'prepared' unless you have attended the lessons, by all means ~ again, there's no right or wrong.
I have bought books from bookstores and basically they explained the different stages and phases of labour and what to expect as well. I surf the net on all topics and gain much knowledge as well, hence I decided to give the classes a 'Miss'.
For the benefits of MTBs, here's what I have consolidated (for your convenience).
The stages and phases (concurrently) are summarized as follows:-
1a. PreLabour - this could be a combination of physical signs such as a 'show' (mild bleeding), diarrhoea (or loose bowel motions), nausea, possibly vomiting, backache, period pain, perhaps the waters breaking or some mild to moderate regular or irregular contractions. During this time the cervix softens and ripens, thins out and starts to open slightly (or 'dilate'), up to about 1- 3cm.
1b. Early Phase of 1st Stage Labour - the contractions start to become regular and more painful. During this time the cervix is very thin and opens (or dilates) to about 3- 4cm or more - Try to relax, start to breathe along with some of the stronger contractions.
1c. Active phase of 1st stage or established labour (approx. 30mins to 10hours) - Contractions become stronger and closer together. During this time the cervix is opening (or dilating) from about 4 cm to around 7- 8cm. The terms 'active 1st stage' and 'established labour' essentially mean the same thing. Established labour is the term predominantly used by most caregivers.
1d. End of 1st Stage or Transition Period (approx. 10mins to 2.5hours) - During 'transition', the contractions become so strong and close together that many women experience the urges to push, or feelings of pressure in their bottom, as the baby's head moves lower down into their vagina. The woman can often experience feelings of being 'out of control' or not wanting to 'do it anymore'. Some women make lots of noise, or will moan or grunt at this time. The woman may seriously contemplate pain relief in transition, but often when they know they are nearly there, they are motivated to keep going. During transition the cervix opens from about 7- 8cm to 10 cms (or 'fully dilated').
2a. 2nd stage (approx. 5mins to 3hours) ; Resting phase - After transition, there is often a noticeable break between the contractions (or they may even stop for a while). This is a resting phase that can happen, as the mother's body re-adjusts to prepare for the pushing phase. Many women have no urge to push at this time. During the resting phase the cervix is fully dilated (10-cm). The water bag is now broken.
2b. 2nd stage; Active or pushing phase - The active, or pushing, phase of the 2nd stage of labour is normally characterised by very strong contractions, which are generally further apart than they were during the 1st stage. The woman usually has an urge to push (or a sensation of wanting to open her bowels). The baby is starting to make the journey out of the woman's uterus, through her pelvis and down the vagina (or birth canal).
2c. End of 2nd stage; 'Crowning' - The end of the 2nd stage is when the baby's head 'crowns' is clearly visible at the opening of the woman's vagina. The perineum is stretched to the maximum, and most women can often feel a strong, burning sensation. The woman usually needs to 'pant' or breathe at this time, rather than pushing, to help ease her baby's head out.
2d. The Birth - The baby's head is usually born with the next contraction after 'crowning'. The woman needs to wait for another contraction before the baby's body is born. Your baby has completed the birth journey into the outside world!
3. 3rd stage of labour - Within 5 to 20 minutes of the baby being born, the woman's uterus contracts again, and in doing this reduces the size. This action shears the placenta off the wall of the uterus, so that it can come down and out the birth canal.
Wow, that is a whole lot of stages and phases, looks simple, but it is definitely not.
So are you opting for delivery with / without epidural??
Next entry I shall touch on 'Breathing Techniques'.
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