As this stage begins, the cervix is fully dilated to 10 centimeters,
and the woman will voluntarily push the baby down the birth canal with
contractions, which become very strong and painful. They do, however,
but space out to about two to three minutes apart, lasting some 60
seconds. The usual length of second stage for a first-time mother is
about two hours.
With
an irresistible urge to push, the mother may feel more in control at
this point, actively involved completing the process. She may feel a
stretching or burning sensation as the baby's head is crowning. But as
this stage ends, there is a tremendous relief and excitement with the
birth of the baby.
This is
the shortest stage, lasting about 20 to 30 minutes following the
birth, when powerful contractions of the uterus will expel the
placenta. These contractions, however, are very different from labor
contractions. They are prolonged as the uterus clamps down to staunch
the flow from the blood vessels where the placenta was attached.
Women
are encouraged to push with these contractions. The uterus will
contract and remain firm after the placenta is out, preventing
hemorrhage.
The
fourth stage of labor begins after the birth of the baby and the
delivery of the placenta and lasts for about an hour. The fourth stage
is a healing and mending time for the mother, and a time for her and
her baby to get acquainted.
During
this stage, the midwife or doctor will examine the placenta and the
cord, look for tears, and suture them and the episiotomy, if one was
preformed. The uterus will be firm or hard to the touch. This is the
adjustment period to the stresses of labor. Many of the physiological
changes that occurred in labor will stabilize within the first hour
following the birth.
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