 Common childbirth stages review
Added: 02/19/2006 |
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A childbirth stages review means that this article will provide the reader with all the essential and important information regarding the three well-known stages of labor experienced by all the pregnant women during particular periods of their pregnancy. It is a common knowledge there are three main childbirth stages described in the medical literature and other reliable sources of information: the first, second and the third one.
Speaking about the childbirth stages review, it is necessary to begin with the first stage of childbirth and inform you about some basic facts about its sub-stages and their distinguishing signs. So, the first childbirth stage is known to be made up of different sub-stages which have their own peculiarities. Early labor stage means that a woman has contractions which gradually become stronger, longer and closer together (with fewer minutes between). These contractions may come every ten minutes and last for about thirty seconds each. Sometimes they may be rather painful so that the woman may require pain medications. To relief pain you can try to have warm shower or bath, watch a video, etc. Be aware that during this stage the woman usually has increasing mucous vaginal discharge.
The second sub-stage called active labor is characterized by the things really get rolling. The contractions become more frequent and stronger and the cervix begins to dilate faster (going from approximately four to eight centimeters).
Transition, the third part of the first childbirth stage, has a distinguishing feature of cervix dilating from eight to full ten centimeters. This is one of the most intense parts of childbirth. The woman is likely to have pretty strong contractions coming approximately every two or three minutes. Many women find themselves shivering and shaking. The transition is over when the cervix is fully dilated. During this period of childbirth the majority of women feel rectal pressure.
Speaking about the childbirth stages review it is essential to continue with the second childbirth stage description. It is often called pushing and includes the final descent and, of course, the birth of the baby. As a matter of fact the beginning of the second birth stage is often characterized by the contractions being further apart which is likely to give a woman a chance for rest. By the way, according to the recent childbirth stages review, about 80% of women indicate they had easier contractions during the second childbirth stage and it was mush easier to handle them comparing with the contractions experienced during the active labor stage. On the whole the majority of women don't like the feeling of pushing
Later the baby begins down the birth canal and as a result the baby's head starts to reach the vaginal opening. Only after this the baby will rotate and the whole body will be born. To get through this process women are advised to establish their own pushing pattern and, no doubt, work with the nurse to establish the most appropriate position.
Our childbirth stages review should also mention the third birth stage which is called "placenta delivery". The delivery of placenta is a normal process occurring within a few minutes after giving a childbirth (the woman's uterus begins to contract again and placenta is being expelled from the woman's body). According to the childbirth stages review the delivery of placenta usually lasts for about five to ten minutes. After this the cord is clamped and cut. This means the end of the childbirth. The woman should relax, hold her baby, talk to it and offer her breast when ready.
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