How can I recognize the beginning of labor? What are the best ways to relieve and shorten my labor pains? How will I know when it’s time to give birth? As you prepare yourself to deliver, these are all critical questions to ask yourself.
They will affect how you approach the delivery process and how your baby will come into the world. Though every woman’s labor and delivery experience is unique, some universal truths about normal labor and delivery can help prepare you for what lies ahead.
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The Three Stages of Labor
Labor is divided into three stages. The first stage is the latent phase, lasting from 0 to 3 centimetres. In this phase, contractions are infrequent and irregular. The second stage is called active labor, which begins when you are 4 to 7 centimetres dilated.
Contractions become more intense during this phase, but they come about every 10 minutes. The final stage of labor is known as the pushing phase (or active pushing). This last stage starts at 8 centimetres and ends with the delivery of your baby. Pushing comes in short bursts that are followed by a brief rest period . . .
The Process of Dilation and Effacement
Dilation is the process of opening up the cervix. Effacement is thinning out of the uterine wall. The cervix will dilate to allow for the passage of the baby's head into the birth canal. It can take a few hours for a cervix to dilate fully. But it usually happens within one hour before labor starts. During effacement, your uterus will thin out so it can contract more easily to push out your baby.
Mechanism of labor
The uterus will contract to push out the baby when a woman is in labor. However, if contractions are weak or irregular, gainey doctor may need to start an intravenous drip of oxytocin. This drug enhances the uterine activity and causes more muscular contractions.
It can also be used when the woman is experiencing painless labor that goes on too long. It is given through an IV drip into a vein in the arm. If you're looking for relief during your subsequent pregnancy, book an appointment with Gainey Doctor today!
When to Call the Doctor
You should call your doctor when experiencing any of the following:
Vaginal bleeding that is heavier than a menstrual period.
Abdominal pain or cramping that is more intense than usual.
Contractions that have increased in frequency or intensity.
You should also call when you are more than two weeks past your due date, even if labor has not started naturally.
Signs of Progress
There are many signs of labor that your gynecologist will be able to detect. These include a low, dull backache or pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, contractions, an increase in urine flow, a change in the colour of the discharge (it may become thinner), and increased shortness of breath or heart rate. You should contact your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms occur.
Tips for Coping with Pain
Unfortunately, there is no natural way to avoid pain during labor. However, there are a few things you can do to help cope with the pain:
The first is to ensure you get enough rest before your due date. This will help your body prepare for labor and give you more energy.
Second, eat healthy foods that provide strength, such as iron-rich foods like red meat or iron supplements.
Third, take herbal or non-narcotic pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen before the contractions start coming too close together. These should be taken sparingly, but they can help when needed.
Intrapartum management of labor
The intrapartum management of labor has two parts: a) the birth process (how to deliver a baby), which includes the following steps: dilation, crowning, pushing, and delivery; b) care for the mother after the birth.
The process begins with the woman's water breaking at about 37 week’s gestation. For most women, this signifies that labor will soon start or has already begun. Dilation is when the cervix opens wider, crowning is when you can feel your baby's head as it passes through your pelvis, and pushing is contractions that help push your baby out.
