Let’s discuss all of the stages of labor, and how you may move through them!
Early labor
This is the part of labor that can last for days or weeks. During this time, your body is beginning to prepare even more for labor. While a lot of people get very restless during this time, it’s important to rest when you can and go about your day as you normally would. Early labor is when your cervix is beginning to change, and it will typically go from 0 to 5-6 centimeters, and contractions are roughly 30-60 in length and every 5-20 minutes. While many people will think that during this time they are just having braxton hicks, they are actually having cervical changing contractions! Your contractions will likely feel similar to period cramps, and begin to tighten. The intensity may start very low and as you progress it will get stronger and more intense.
For some people, this may be a very emotional time as it can feel like it is lasting forever. But don’t worry! It will become active labor, just stay patient and listen to your body! The best thing you can do during this time is rest and distract yourself, which is why it is recommended that you go about your day as normal as possible. So if you typically get up, go on a walk, eat breakfast, go run errands, etc, keep doing that! Not only is distraction a great way to get through the early phase of labor, but sticking to your routine and getting some movement in can help to progress you into active labor.
Early labor is also when a lot of people will begin trying different things to get them into active labor quicker. This may include ingesting dates, drinking raspberry leaf tea, having sex, and many other things! While there is little evidence on anything that can put you into active labor faster, as long as you are having no negative reactions to trying those things then it should not be a problem. If anything, focusing on stuff like that is another great distraction!
Active labor
When most people think of labor, this is the part they are referring to. This is when you are having contractions that last 45-60 seconds and are about 2-3 minutes apart. Your cervix will go from about 6-8 centimeters during this phase of labor. This is when walking, distraction, shower or bath, and other things may help you with pain and discomfort. It is also important to note that you should be utilizing all of your mindful and relaxation techniques during active labor to help prepare you for the next phases. During this time, you can get in a shower or bath, go on a walk, and any other techniques that comfort you and can also keep the top of the pelvis open for baby to drop in! This is also a good time to have some affirmations handy that you can read, or have someone read to you, to bring you to a healthy mindset and remind you of how strong you are, find some here!
Transition
This is the point in labor when a lot of birthing people begin to say that they can’t do it or that they are scared. This is usually one of the most emotional parts of labor as this is when your body is going from about 8-10 centimeters, the last bit of cervical change you need to be ready to push your baby out. This change can bring on a lot of pain, fear, but also excitement! When you are at the transition phase, your doula will work with you to support you through it. This may look like holding your hand and speaking calm over you. It may look like making sure your partner is right in there with you. It may also look like holding space across the room as you move into a state of calm and preparedness.
Pushing
Baby is almost here!
Many people think that once you hit 10cm you are ready to push. That may not be the case for you, which is why I, as your doula, will always encourage you to listen to your body and push when you feel like you need to. Just because you are at 10cm, your baby may need a little more adjusting before they make their grand entrance into the world. If you are 10cm but have no desire or feeling like you need to push, then that is when we will get you in a comfortable position that will allow the baby to descend, and allow you to rest and breathe. Once you feel an urge to push, then push mama. I never encourage counted pushing. Think about it, if you are pushing with all your might and someone counts to 10 slowly, you will be pretty lightheaded and exhausted after just a couple of those. Instead, I encourage you to let your body tell you when it’s time to push, and for how long to push.
Some women worry that with an epidural they will not feel the need to push. This is not the case! Even with an epidural, you should feel the urge to push.
*We will discuss more on pushing in my next blog!
Birth of the Placenta
After baby is born and placed on your chest, the next phase is the birthing of the placenta. This can take anywhere from 5 minutes to one hour. You can do this unassisted or with some assistance. An assisted birth of the placenta typically involves a small amount of traction placed on the umbilical cord to help the placenta detach and come out. When you are birthing the placenta, you can also have pressure placed on your stomach to push the placenta out and trigger the uterus to begin shrinking. This is most commonly done in a hospital setting but does not have to be done. You will still have contractions while birthing the placenta but they will not be as strong. Once the placenta is birthed, that symbolizes the end of the pregnancy and can be a very emotional and beautiful experience. If you are wanting to keep your placenta then make sure your birthing team is aware by having it on your birth preference sheet!
You may be wondering why I didn’t mention your bag of waters in any of the stages of labor. That is because there is no definite time that it will burst! Some people have their water break in early labor, while others may have theirs break during active or transition. When your bag of water breaks, it is not typically a big gush like you see in the movies. More often than not, it feels like a continuous trickle. Some people describe it as you feel like you are constantly peeing yourself a little. Even more rare is a baby being born with the bag intact, this is called a lotus birth.
*We will dive more into your bag of waters in a future blog!
It is important to remember that every person's birthing experience is different and will move through these stages at their own pace. When developing your birth preferences, you can be thinking about what things may be helpful to you to move through these stages. You can form a plan with your partner to help you move through them, especially the early stage, so that you are resting and listening to your body. And don’t forget to eat!
*More on eating during labor in a future blog
Yours,
Ally the doula
This is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
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