THE WONDERS OF MATERNAL DELIVERY

Pregnant women and families are excited and happy to finally meet the baby growing in the womb. During delivery, families and pregnant women are anxious because, in a very short span of time during labor, a lot of things can happen. People are already aware and familiar what happened during pregnancy and what happens right after delivery. How about what happens in between? Delivery might seem so short, but there are processes that happen in the woman’s body which leads to a healthy delivery

Stages of Labor and Delivery

• First Stage

  Dilatation of the cervix due to continuous uterine contraction. This is the longest part of labor. Others are lucky to feel minimal pain during labor, but these are rare. The thinning of the walls of the cervix or also called as effacement happens during the whole first stage. There are two phases of the first stage.

  • Latent phase-the phase that lasts for many hours. Cervix dilates from being close to an opening of about 4-5 cm.
  • Active phase- starts from the end of the latent phase up until delivery. The cervix dilates rapidly both for women who are nulliparous (never given birth before by choice or because of other reasons) and multiparous (giving birth to more than one offspring at a time).
• Second Stage

  This is the stage between complete dilatation and the delivery of the baby. During this stage, there are six predominant movements.

  • The head of the baby engages in the lower pelvis of the mother.
  • The head is flexed, the presenting position of the occiput which is the back of the baby’s skull.
  • The neonate descends closer to the cervix of the mother.
  • Internal rotation.
  • Extension of the head.
  • External rotation of the head to help in delivering the shoulders.
• Third or Final Stage

  The detachment of the placenta internally and its delivery mark the final stage. Normally, the placenta is delivered within 30 minutes from the delivery of the baby.

  Nine months of nurturing the baby inside the womb, but labor and delivery only take around 24 hours in general. Expecting mothers experience what we call as ”false labor” wherein they will think that their baby is due to come out, yet upon thorough check-up, it will show that the first stage of labor hasn’t kicked in yet.

What are the Signs of True Labor Versus False Labor

True: Pain radiating from the front and back.
False: Pain is in the front part of the uterus only.

True: Pain brought by true labor contraction is persistent and continuous and is not relieved with whatever position.
False: Pain is relieved by proper positioning and rehydration.

True: True labor contractions have a pattern and the frequency increases in time.
False: False labor, on the other hand, has a varied frequency, strength, and intervals.

True: True labor contractions dilates the cervix.
False: No change in the cervix.

Alliance ObGyn & Consultants LLC is a provider of obstetrical and gynecological services for all women. We provide a highly conducive environment for our professional services. Our services are aided by top quality and modern pieces of equipment to guarantee safe labor and delivery.

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