What happens during a natural childbirth? What are the stages of labor that it includes? How do you prepare yourself for it? Find out everything that happens during this process in detail:

Natural childbirth: stages and preparation for it

page contents

introduction

The first stage of labour

The second stage of labour

The third stage and childbirth

Natural childbirth begins when labor begins and ends moments after the baby comes into this life, as the labor process is divided into three stages:

Cervical dilatation, which is the first and longest stage.

Opening the cervix sufficiently for the fetus to come out through the vagina, and here you are asked to help the fetus out through pushing along with uterine contractions.

Placenta expulsion and uterine contraction.

Here are the details for each stage

Natural childbirth: the first stages of labour

In order to reach the stage of complete and sufficient expansion for the fetus to exit, the cervix must expand to 10 centimeters, and this is known as sufficient expansion, which is preceded by contractions or contractions that affect the woman at the beginning of labor, working to soften the cervix to help open it gradually, and this softening process may take hours many until the woman reaches what is known as emerging labour.

1. When does labor start?

Labor begins when the expansion of the cervix becomes more than 3 centimeters, and this is what is measured and determined by the midwives or the doctor supervising the birth. In many cases, if the pregnant woman rushes to go to the hospital before the onset of labor, she may be advised to return to her home to spend the time needed for the operation. Lubricate instead of staying in the hospital, and here we advise you to follow the following tips:

Eat a light meal that provides you with the energy needed for childbirth, such as a meal consisting of a glass of milk or yogurt with dates or any fruit.

Taking a warm water bath will help you relax and reduce pain.

Staying in an upright position and walking slightly and gently, this will help the fetus descend into the pelvis and strengthen the birth position, and contribute to increasing the speed of the expansion process.

2. How long is the first stage?

The process usually continues after the onset of labor and full expansion between 6 to 12 hours, especially in the first birth experience, but this period may vary from one woman to another and be less in repeated pregnancy experiences, and the midwife will inspect the expansion process from time to time.

3. When does the assisted push-up process begin?

It is not recommended that you initiate any effort before the newborn''s head is at the bottom of the cervix, as it can be seen after the cervix has opened completely, and here the midwife or doctor supervising your birth begins to encourage you to push the baby out.

We also advise you while you are waiting for this stage to take a slow breath or a strong breath as desired without doing the pushing process until they instruct you to do so. Some women may find more comfort when lying on their side or when kneeling and elbows to reduce the pressure of the fetus head on the cervix. .

4. How is the health of the fetus monitored during childbirth?

The fetal heartbeat is usually monitored throughout the labor period and through several methods. Any change that may occur in the fetal heartbeat may be an indication that the fetus does not feel comfortable and needs some intervention. The fetal heartbeat is monitored as follows:

Hand-held ultrasound monitoring for a minute every 15 minutes, and this is when your movement is more free.

Monitoring using an electronic screen that shows uterine contractions and fetal heartbeat. It is known as the fetal heart monitor (CTG - Cardiotocograpy). This device may also restrict your movement, as it is usually associated with a belt that is tied around the mother''s abdomen.

Placing a clip on the head of the fetus through the vagina to measure its heartbeat, in the event that the monitoring of the fetus’s heartbeat fails in the previous methods, which may lead to the discharge of water from the head if it has not already occurred, and here it is necessary for you to clarify the reason for doing this by your midwife or the supervising doctor. .

5. How to speed up the labor process

Sometimes the contractions may be slow and not strong enough, or the position of the fetus is not appropriate, which may affect the course of the labor process and make it take a longer time, and from here your doctor may have to use some methods, such as:

ARM - artificial rupture of membranes: This is a small puncture of the amniotic membrane to help the water out through an internal examination using a finger or a long, thin probe.

An injection of Syntocinon: It is placed in the vein of the arm to increase contractions. This method is used if puncturing the fetal membrane does not work, and this process may sometimes require taking an analgesic to help with the pain.

During these procedures, the fetal heartbeat and uterine contractions must be continuously monitored using a fetal heart monitor (CTG).

Natural childbirth: the stage of pushing the fetus

The pushing stage begins when the uterus has expanded sufficiently to allow the passage of the fetal head. Here, at this stage, the fetal head can be seen, and the midwife will guide you to the correct position and the best method for the pushing process.

1. The optimal position for natural childbirth

Finding the perfect position for you during childbirth will make things much easier for you. Here are some of these positions:

Lying in bed with the back supported by pillows.

Lie on one side.

Stand up straight.

Getting down on the knees and elbows, it may help if you suffer from previous back pain.

Doing a squatting position, it may be difficult if you are not used to it before.

2. The process of pushing the fetus out

When the cervix is opened and we can see the head of the fetus through the vagina, then it will become necessary for the pregnant woman to perform a pushing process in support of the contractions in order for the fetus to come out, and here the woman is advised to take two deep breaths with the start of contractions and then push down, and repeat that several times until it ends Contraction, then take a break and prepare again for the next contraction.

The process may be arduous, but the presence of your husband and your loved ones beside you, in addition to your midwife and the supervising doctor, will make this process easier for you, and this process may take about an hour.

3. Childbirth and the exit of the fetus

During this stage, the fetal head is ready to exit and visible through the vagina. Here, the midwife will ask you to stop pushing and take quick, short breaths and exhale through the mouth. and the anus.

It is worth knowing that in some cases an incision may occur in the perineum, which may require a surgery by the doctor and suturing this incision after giving an anesthetic. The umbilical cord to hold in your arms, and the pain ends.

The fetal head is ready to emerge and visible through the vagina

Natural childbirth: the last stage and incubating the newborn

Even after the birth of the newborn, the contractions will continue to push the placenta out. Syntocinon is usually given in the form of an injection in the thigh to speed up the process of expelling the placenta by increasing uterine contractions, reducing the amount of postpartum bleeding and thus preventing severe bleeding.

After your newborn comes out safely, carry him and put him on your chest so that his skin touches your skin, and quickly breastfeed him, as breastfeeding contributes to the return of the uterus to its previous position.