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Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum Period
- Topic Overview
-
Health Tools
- Labor and Delivery: Your Birthing Options
- When to Call a Doctor
- Early Labor
- Active Labor, First Stage
- Active Labor, Second Stage
- Third Stage, After the Baby is Born
- Post-Term Pregnancy
- After Childbirth
- Postpartum Recovery and Coping
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
The second stage of active labor is the actual birth, when the baby is pushed out by the tightening uterine muscles (contractions). During the second stage:
- Uterine contractions will feel different. Though they are usually regular, they may slow down to every 2 to 5 minutes, lasting 60 to 90 seconds. If your labor stalls, changing positions may help. If not, your doctor may recommend using medicine to stimulate (augment) uterine contractions.
- You may have a strong urge to push or bear down with each contraction.
- The baby's head is likely to create great pressure on your rectum.
- You may need to change position several times to find the right birthing position for you.
- You can have a mirror positioned so you can watch your baby crown and emerge from the birth canal.
- When the baby's head passes through the vagina (crowns), you will feel a burning pain. The head is the largest part of the baby and the hardest part to deliver. If this is happening quickly, your doctor may advise you not to push every time, which may give the perineum, or area between the vulva and the anus, a chance to stretch without tearing. Or he or she may make an incision in the perineum (episiotomy). This is not recommended unless there is a medical need.
- Your medical staff will be ready to handle anything unexpected. If an urgent problem comes up, people will move quickly. You may suddenly have more people and equipment in the room than before. This is a time when your doctor or nurse-midwife will be deciding what is best for you and your baby.
This pushing stage can be as short as a few minutes or as long as several hours. You are more likely to have a fast labor if you have given birth before.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: January 7, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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