Labor and Delivery
As a woman gets closer to her due date, contractions begin to soften and thin out the cervix, preparing it for true labor. For first-time mothers, the first stage of labor usually lasts between 10 and 20 hours. There are three phases.
Early labor is the first phase in the first stage of labor in which contractions are usually not painful but the cervix begins to thin out and dilate. True contractions begin. When the cervix dilates to 4 centimeters, the second phase is called active labor. The contractions become longer, stronger, and more frequent. It is at this point some women feel they may need pain medication or use breathing exercises they have learned. Once the cervix reaches 7 centimeters, the woman enters the third phase called transition. Contractions come in rapid succession and last up to 90 seconds each, with little or no pause between them. This ends when the cervix has dilated to 10 centimeters. At this point the second stage of labor begins. The uterine contractions slowly push the baby down through the birth canal. Finally, the woman will give birth to the newborn. Many women feel a strong urge to push with each contraction. Now the third stage of labor begins. The uterus begins to contract again to expel the placenta.
As a woman gets closer to her due date, contractions begin to soften and thin out the cervix, preparing it for true labor. For first-time mothers, the first stage of labor usually lasts between 10 and 20 hours. There are three phases.
Early labor is the first phase in the first stage of labor in which contractions are usually not painful but the cervix begins to thin out and dilate. True contractions begin. When the cervix dilates to 4 centimeters, the second phase is called active labor. The contractions become longer, stronger, and more frequent. It is at this point some women feel they may need pain medication or use breathing exercises they have learned. Once the cervix reaches 7 centimeters, the woman enters the third phase called transition. Contractions come in rapid succession and last up to 90 seconds each, with little or no pause between them. This ends when the cervix has dilated to 10 centimeters. At this point the second stage of labor begins. The uterine contractions slowly push the baby down through the birth canal. Finally, the woman will give birth to the newborn. Many women feel a strong urge to push with each contraction. Now the third stage of labor begins. The uterus begins to contract again to expel the placenta.
Birthing Options
There is a wide range of birthing options available to women today. Births can occur at a hospital, at a birthing center, or at a home. When a woman decides to give birth at a hospital, she has access to a full range of medical professionals, medical procedures, and medical technology in case there is an emergency. She also has access to pain medications. However, hospitals are sometimes seen as impersonal settings in which the woman gives up much control over the circumstances of the birth. A birth center provides a home-like atmosphere and gives the woman greater autonomy in how she experiences her labor. Home births are reserved for low-risk pregnancies.
There is a wide range of birthing options available to women today. Births can occur at a hospital, at a birthing center, or at a home. When a woman decides to give birth at a hospital, she has access to a full range of medical professionals, medical procedures, and medical technology in case there is an emergency. She also has access to pain medications. However, hospitals are sometimes seen as impersonal settings in which the woman gives up much control over the circumstances of the birth. A birth center provides a home-like atmosphere and gives the woman greater autonomy in how she experiences her labor. Home births are reserved for low-risk pregnancies.