Labor and delivery are the last stages of pregnancy and the process through which a baby is born. During this time, your cervix is monitored carefully, as is the baby about to be born. While labor and delivery are often exhausting, your healthcare providers will do everything they can to help you through this process.

An Introduction to Labor and Delivery

It's important to remember that labor and delivery are often intense, so it's good to be mentally prepared for the possible events that can happen. It is also a good idea to get regular prenatal checkups and take good care of yourself and your baby during your pregnancy. Women who take good care of themselves usually experience fewer complications during and after labor and delivery, and often give birth to healthier babies.

 

The Stages of Labor

Once you are in the labor and delivery area, your labor partner can wait there with you. Two monitors may be placed around your abdomen (stomach). One will measure your contractions, and the other will monitor your baby's heartbeat. A nurse may draw some blood and give you an intravenous (IV) line. Your cervix should be checked regularly to measure how close you are to beginning the actual delivery. If you are having trouble urinating, you may be given a catheter, which is a small plastic tube that's inserted into your bladder.

 

For some women, it is normal to feel sick and even to vomit during this part of labor. This is due to the changes the body is undergoing during this time. For this reason, many women eat nothing and drink only clear liquids during labor and delivery. Walking around or changing positions in your bed may make you feel better. Your healthcare professionals can give you additional suggestions to help you feel more comfortable.

 

Once your cervix has dilated, or opened, to 4 centimeters, you are officially in "active labor." In this stage of labor, you can now receive an epidural if you want one. After this point, your healthcare provider should monitor your progress, such as your contractions and how quickly your cervix dilates. If you do not progress through labor as expected, your doctor may help you do so with medications or other methods (see Assisted Delivery).

 

The Delivery Process

When the cervix has dilated to 10 centimeters, labor usually becomes more intense and contractions become more frequent. At this point, the baby is usually positioned head-down, facing the mother's back with its chin tucked in and coming out of the uterus with the back of the head first. After the baby has moved into the birth canal, most women need to help the delivery process by pushing during their contractions.

 

In 19 out of 20 new mothers, the baby is delivered within two hours. Although it can be normal to take longer, many women deliver in one hour or less.

 

For many women, this stage of labor is the most exhausting because it takes a lot of energy to push. Eventually, the baby's head will begin to come out of the vagina. When the biggest part of the head is coming out of the vagina, this stage of the delivery is called "crowning."

 

At some time during this stage of your labor and delivery, your doctor may decide that you need an episiotomy. An episiotomy is a small incision, or cut, in the opening of the vagina. It widens the birth canal and helps to control tearing as the baby moves through the vagina. An episiotomy can also be helpful when a forceps or vacuum delivery is necessary. You might want to talk with your doctor ahead of time about what might make an episiotomy necessary and then discuss your individual situation.

 

After the crowning, your doctor will deliver your baby's head and clear its mouth and nose of fluid. The baby's shoulders will be delivered next. After the shoulders, the rest of the baby's body usually slips more easily through the birth canal. Once the baby is delivered, the doctor will cut the umbilical cord. Birth assistants will begin to clean, dry, and warm up the baby. Sometimes, a pediatrician will also be there to make sure that the baby is doing well.

 

Delivering the Placenta After Labor and Delivery

After you deliver your baby, the placenta will need to be delivered. This can take up to half an hour. Your doctor will assist you with this, if needed. After delivery of the placenta, the uterus normally begins to contract and shrink, which helps to stop any heavy bleeding. If needed, you may be given additional medication to help stimulate these contractions. It will take several weeks for the uterus to shrink back to its normal size.

 

Your physician will then inspect the outside of your vulva and the vagina for tears or lacerations. If you have an extensive tear, or if you have had an episiotomy, this will be sewn up at this time.

 

Some women want to hold or breastfeed their baby immediately after labor and delivery. This will be possible as long as you and your baby are not having any problems that need to be taken care of first. Once you and your baby are examined and everything is deemed fine, you can hold your child. Your friends and family can join you, and you will probably want to have a good, long rest.