What Happens During Childbirth?
As you near your due date you'll probably start getting a bit nervous about what to expect during childbirth and labor. You might have heard stories from other women, or watched a having a baby video [http://www.havingababyblog.com/having-a-baby-video.html] online or on dvd, but nothing can prepare you for the real thing.
But first know that you will not be going through this alone. There will be midwives, obstetricians and other support people there to help you through it. You'll probably also have your husband or family with you as well for extra support.
Labor can start at any time in the few weeks before or after your due date (and not very often on the actual day itself).
You will feel contractions around your uterus and lower abdomen area which may feel like a tightening sensation or period like cramps. They are usually not painful to start with, but will get stronger in intensity as your labor progresses. If they are coming at regular intervals for more than an hour (and don't go away if you lie down) then you'll know it's true labor and not Braxton Hicks (false labor pains).
Once they get to around 3 minutes apart you should make your way to the hospital or call your midwife. If this is your first delivery then you can expect labor to last around 13 to 14 hours. It will be quicker with second and subsequent pregnancies.
The medical staff will check to see how far along you are by measuring your cervix dilation. Once you hit 10 cm you will probably have a strong urge to start pushing.
Delivery itself (the pushing stage) will usually last anything from 20 minutes to two hours. You will push with the contractions like you are having a bowel movement. This will help move the baby through the birth canal and out into the world. Delivery is usually the most intense part of childbirth for most women and can also be the most exhausting. If you are tired, try resting between contractions or only pushing every second contraction to reserve your strength.
After the baby is out, then you will still need to deliver the placenta. Usually the contractions will do this for you and many women don't even feel these ones. Your medical practitioner sometimes will administer some drugs to make this process faster.
But first know that you will not be going through this alone. There will be midwives, obstetricians and other support people there to help you through it. You'll probably also have your husband or family with you as well for extra support.
Labor can start at any time in the few weeks before or after your due date (and not very often on the actual day itself).
You will feel contractions around your uterus and lower abdomen area which may feel like a tightening sensation or period like cramps. They are usually not painful to start with, but will get stronger in intensity as your labor progresses. If they are coming at regular intervals for more than an hour (and don't go away if you lie down) then you'll know it's true labor and not Braxton Hicks (false labor pains).
Once they get to around 3 minutes apart you should make your way to the hospital or call your midwife. If this is your first delivery then you can expect labor to last around 13 to 14 hours. It will be quicker with second and subsequent pregnancies.
The medical staff will check to see how far along you are by measuring your cervix dilation. Once you hit 10 cm you will probably have a strong urge to start pushing.
Delivery itself (the pushing stage) will usually last anything from 20 minutes to two hours. You will push with the contractions like you are having a bowel movement. This will help move the baby through the birth canal and out into the world. Delivery is usually the most intense part of childbirth for most women and can also be the most exhausting. If you are tired, try resting between contractions or only pushing every second contraction to reserve your strength.
After the baby is out, then you will still need to deliver the placenta. Usually the contractions will do this for you and many women don't even feel these ones. Your medical practitioner sometimes will administer some drugs to make this process faster.
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