How fast do contractions progress

There are many reasons to labor at home as long as possible, including a decreased likelihood of needing pitocin or birthing via C-section. In most cases, the hospital does not want you to walk in the door until you really need that bed. As many new parents learn, and many doctors advise , the rule of thumb for judging active labor follows the 5—1—1 rule 5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, lasting for 1 hour. Those were contractions alright, and they came swiftly, every two minutes.

To hell with 5—1—1. Since I like to think of myself as a total badass with exceptional pain tolerance, I figured my labor was much further along than I let on. When the frequency of contractions fails you, you rely on the pain aspect to make the judgment call of how your labor is progressing. The correlation between pain and cervical dilation remains a strong assumption across the birth community.

Researchers have attempted to bottle this variable into a predictable model for labor progression to varying effects. One nurse gently noted that I would probably need to head home. Assessing labor progression relies heavily on this biological fact.

I rode dangerously close to the edge of stalled labor. My thoughts spun — an epidural could limit my mobility; limited mobility could slow labor ; slowed labor could result in C-section. I wanted to avoid that if possible. What you may feel: In active labor, the contractions will feel more intense. Handling contractions will take all of your attention. Some women choose to take a shower or bath to ease some of the discomfort. In transition, your cervix dilates from eight centimeters all the way to 10 centimeters.

What you may feel: Many women feel a strong pressure in their lower back and rectal areas. Tips to get through it: If you can still move around easily during transition, changing positions may help move things along.

Looking for the best items for your growing family? Add all your favorite baby products to ONE registry with Babylist. There will also be a distinct, undeniable urge to push. What you may feel: During the second stage of labor, your contractions might move a little further apart, giving you a chance to rest between each one.

The urge to push might feel a lot like needing to go 2. It happens to a lot of people. Once your baby is born, a nurse will probably place the baby on your chest right away for some bonding time. Each phase is characterized by different emotions and physical challenges. Think of it as a big adventure with some important guidelines. During this phase, you should just try to relax. It is not necessary to rush to the hospital or birth center. Try to enjoy the comfort of the familiar surroundings at home.

If early labor occurs during the day , do some simple routines around the house. Keep yourself occupied while conserving your energy. Drink plenty of water and eat small snacks. Keep track of the time of your contractions. If early labor begins during the night, it is a good idea to try to get some sleep.

If you are unable to fall asleep, focus on doing some light activities like cleaning out your closet, packing your bag, or making sack lunches for the next day. Now is time for you to head to the hospital or birth center. If you have had an epidural, you may not feel an urge to push at all. If you're having your 1st baby, this pushing stage should last no longer than 3 hours. If you've had a baby before, it should take no more than 2 hours. This stage of labour is hard work, but your midwife will help and encourage you.

Your birth partner can also support you. When your baby's head is almost ready to come out, your midwife will ask you to stop pushing and take some short breaths, blowing them out through your mouth.

This is so your baby's head can be born slowly and gently, giving the skin and muscles in the area between your vagina and anus the perineum time to stretch. Sometimes your midwife or doctor will suggest an episiotomy to avoid a tear or to speed up delivery. This is a small cut made in your perineum.

You'll be given a local anaesthetic injection to numb the area before the cut is made. Once your baby is born, an episiotomy, or any large tears, will be stitched closed. Find out about your body after the birth , including how to deal with stitches.

Once your baby's head is born, most of the hard work is over. The rest of their body is usually born during the next 1 or 2 contractions. You'll usually be able to hold your baby immediately and enjoy some skin-to-skin time together. You can breastfeed your baby as soon as you like. Ideally, your baby will have their 1st feed within 1 hour of birth. Read more about skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in the first few days. The 3rd stage of labour happens after your baby is born, when your womb contracts and the placenta comes out through your vagina.

Your midwife will explain both ways to you while you're still pregnant or during early labour, so you can decide which you would prefer. There are some situations where physiological management is not advisable. Your midwife or doctor can explain if this is the case for you. Your midwife will give you an injection of oxytocin into your thigh as you give birth, or soon after. This makes your womb contract.

Evidence suggests it's better not to cut the umbilical cord immediately, so your midwife will wait to do this between 1 and 5 minutes after birth. This may be done sooner if there are concerns about you or your baby — for example, if the cord is wound tightly around your baby's neck.

Once the placenta has come away from your womb, your midwife pulls the cord — which is attached to the placenta — and pulls the placenta out through your vagina. This usually happens within 30 minutes of your baby being born. Active management speeds up the delivery of the placenta and lowers your risk of having heavy bleeding after the birth postpartum haemorrhage , but it increases the chance of you feeling and being sick.