An Introduction to Childbirth

Once pregnant there’s plenty to think about: staying healthy, foods to avoid, vitamins, and then all the joy – and planning - of bringing a baby home. Then there’s the actual birth to think about and that can be just a little scary, particularly when it’s a first experience! Obviously you will get information from your doctor and birthing classes run by the hospital, but any and all information can help ease concerns so here are some child birth basics.

Childbirth is divided into three stages.

Stage One: Labour

The early or latent stage of labour is generally the longest and least painful, and is concerned with the thinning and dilation of the cervix to around 10cm. It may take weeks, or just 4 to 6 hours, and it can be accompanied by mild to moderate contractions, regularly or irregularly spaced, or sometimes not even noticeable.

The next phase is the active phase (you should be in the hospital now), characterised by strong, painful contractions that may last 40 to 60 seconds and occur every 3 to 4 minutes. The cervix dilates to around 7cm in, on average, 2½ to 3 hours.

The final phase is the transition phase, where contractions become more intense, last for 60 to 90 seconds and occur every 2 to 3 minutes. When the cervix reaches 10cm it is termed fully dilated. This phase may last an hour or so.

Stage Two: Delivery of the baby

Contractions now become more regular. They last from 60 to 90 seconds but may be spaced further apart (2 to 5 minutes). This stage lasts from 15 minutes to an hour. As each contraction builds to a peak there will be an overwhelming urge to bear down and push. With each push the baby will move through the birth canal until the head appears (crowns). The delivery practitioners will then assist the shoulders and torso out, and the rest should slide out easily (the head is the hardest part).

Stage Three: Delivery of the Placenta

The placenta is then delivered, usually 5 to 30 minutes later. This may require some gentle pushing.

Of course, it all looks easy on paper, but anyone who’s been there knows that it’s a lot of hard work. The results however, are more rewarding than you can imagine!