For any first-time mum-to-be, worrying about your baby’s labour and delivery and what it may involve is completely natural. However, with some positive preparation, you can ease the worry you may be feeling.
Of course, every birth is unique and every woman experiences the process of giving birth differently. In this guide for first-time mums, we will discuss the stages of vaginal labour and what to expect from a caesarean delivery to help you to prepare for your baby’s birth, and so you can feel more relaxed when those labour pains kick in.
We hope by the end of this article you will feel more informed and confident about giving birth and will be prepared for the day your baby arrives.
The Three Stages of Labour
First Stage: Early Labour, and Active Labour
Early Labour
The first stage of labour is referred to as early labour. You will feel a tightening of your abdomen which comes in waves between 5 to 30 minutes and can last up to 1 minute. These are early contractions and you will notice that there will be a pattern to how frequent the contractions are. Contractions will increase in strength and frequency as labour progresses and as your cervix dilates to around 6 centimetres.
What to expect:
This stage of labour can last between 12 to 24 hours or even longer, especially if this is your first baby.
How to cope:
Get as much rest as you can during this phase of labour, eat snacks, and stay hydrated.
Time your contractions, taking note of how long they last and how far apart they are.
Call your midwife or hospital to tell them you have begun early labour. They will advise when you should arrive at the hospital.
Good to know:
Not every woman experiences their waters breaking. If you are unsure if you are in labour, time the contractions and call your healthcare provider for more advice.
If however, your waters do break during early labour head straight to your hospital. After your waters break your baby is more at risk of infection and your labour will need to be monitored.
Active Labour
In active labour your contractions will be stronger and closer together. Contractions last longer and are more intense and will occur every 2- 5 minutes. Your body is in full labour as your cervix continues to dilate further.
What to expect:
The length of time active labour takes differs from person to person, however, active labour can take between 4-8 hours.
How to cope:
You should be in the place where you plan to give birth, either at a hospital, a birthing centre or at home with your midwife.
If you are in a hospital or a birthing centre speak to the midwives about pain relief options if you need them.
If you do not want to use pain relief drugs, squeezing a hair comb with the bristle directed towards your palm can help with the pain. It may sound odd but it acts as a distraction during contractions, and for some women makes labour more manageable.
Stage Two: Pushing and Birth
The second stage of labour begins once your cervix is fully dilated to 10 centimetres. Once your cervix has reached 10 centimetres it is time for you to push, as your baby enters the birthing canal.
What to expect:
Find a comfortable position in which you are happy to give birth. Use the help of your midwife and, or birthing partner to help you get into a position that could be on all fours, kneeling, squatting, or lying down on your side or your back.
When your body is ready you may feel an urge to push, similar to how you feel when you poop. Your midwife or doctor will also coach you through your labour and will encourage you to push through your contractions.
How to cope:
Use your birth partner to help support your body as you push
Take deep breaths and remember to breathe during contractions and pushing.
If you are using the comb method you can squeeze the comb during pushing to help relieve pain.
Once your baby’s head is delivered the rest of its body will ease out and you will have done all the hard work.
Most babies are born within 2 hours with the help of your midwife team. Once your baby is born you will be able to hold them immediately and have skin-to-skin contact.
Good to know:
Sometimes an episiotomy will be suggested, this is a small incision cut into your perineum to prevent large tears and to speed up delivery. These incisions will then be stitched back up after birth,
Stage 3: Placenta Delivery
Once you have delivered your baby and while you are having lots of nice snuggles, you will also need to deliver your placenta. Naturally, your womb will contract after labour and the placenta will detach.
You will likely be asked either before your birth or during early labour if you wish to be given an active treatment to help the placenta detach and deliver. However, you can also request that this process is left to naturally resolve.
Active method:
If you choose the active method you will receive an oxytocin injection into your thigh shortly after birth.
After about 5 minutes your midwife will gently tug on the cord and help pull out your placenta.
The oxytocin method is quicker than the natural method, however, the injection can make some women feel nauseous.
Natural Method:
If you choose the natural method you will need to wait for your womb to naturally contract, and for the placenta to detach. This can take up to an hour and then you will need to push the placenta out.
Choosing the natural method can increase the risk of heavy bleeding, however, your midwife team will monitor you and you can switch to the active method at any time.
Caesarean Delivery
Some women choose to give birth via a caesarean delivery, which can be due to personal preference or medical reasons. Caesarean deliveries are also used as an emergency in cases where a vaginal birth has complications and quick delivery is needed.
A caesarean birth is a surgical procedure where a baby is delivered through an incision in the mother’s stomach and uterus. This procedure is carried out under anaesthetic and mothers can either be awake for the procedure or under general anaesthetic depending on the circumstances.
A caesarean delivery is a very safe method of delivery and many women give birth this way. There are of course risks with any surgical procedure and these will be explained to you before the Caesarean takes place.
Most hospitals allow your birthing partner to be with you during caesarean delivery unless you are under general anaesthetic.
Caesarean deliveries are usually uncomplicated and quick and babies are delivered safely.
As Caesarean deliveries involve major surgery it can take some time to recover from the birth, and you can expect to be fairly housebound for the first 10 days while you recover. Make sure to take it easy after having a caesarean delivery and ask for help from family and friends if needed.
We hope this article has given you plenty of useful information about what to expect during your baby’s delivery and hopefully has helped you to feel more prepared and confident for the day when it comes.