What is Labor?

welcomebabyhome.com
  Shopping   Contact Us/Feedback
  Send Link to Friend   Pregnancy Videos
  Find A Doctor   Play Baby Games
For your expected baby!
Free Diapers For One Year

(Participation required.)
Home About Us Preconception Pregnancy Parenting Related Links
Custom Search
 
What is Labor?

Labor at a glance..


Regular contractions with dilatation of the cervix define labor. Contraction sans the dilatation or opening of the cervix is considered as latent phase or early labor which is different from proper, established labor. There are 3 stages to it







 
Baby on the way? Get "Free Baby Magazines, Formula and Diapers samples/coupons"

More info

 


Stage 1 The toughest part of labor which starts with the onset of regular contractions with gradual opening of the cervix to reach full dilation of 10cm. First babies cause this stage to last an average of 10-14 hours. This stage shortens with subsequent babies.
Transition Not a stage but a period between stages 1 & 2; it usually marks the last 2-3cm of dilatation and lasts from 15 mins to an hour. Women either feel the urge to push though not fully dilated (feeling that comes with contractions of the 2nd stage) or lose the urge to push despite being almost fully dilated.
Stage 2 Comparably an easier stage which starts with a fully dilated cervix to the birth of the baby. With the cervix fully open the mother will be able to push the baby down the birth canal. First babies take an hour on the average to make an entry into the world. This stage shortens with subsequent deliveries.
Stage 3 The final stage is essentially the delivery of the placenta and membranes or bag of fluid that contained the baby. This can be as short as 10 minutes.
 
What is happening in the first Stage











When contraction peaks, baby's heartbeat dips to its lowest level, and then quickly rises back to normal as the contraction subsides. Quick, shallow breaths help the mother cope with the pain at the peak of a contraction.

 

For your upcoming baby
Click Here!
 
Labor Signs

Contractions


The pain associated with contractions has been described differently by women. These include severe menstrual cramp, persistent backache or a wave of discomforts that peak and subside in turns. Overall the contractions grow in frequency and intensity and last longer as birth approaches. When the placenta starts to perform inefficiently, the baby's brain responds by producing oxytocin which crosses into the mother's bloodstream. The mother's body responds by producing oxytocin as well which stimulates contractions. Additionally baby's adrenal gland secretes the hormone cortisol which again crosses into the maternal bloodstream triggering the release of hormone-like chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are responsible for the softening of the cervix and this act causes the uterus to start the contractions.


Latent phase Mild irregular tightenings, which gradually last longer and become more frequent
Stage 1 More intense and rhythmical; contraction progresses to last about 30-60 seconds in intervals of 1-2 minutes
Stage 2 Sensation of contractions change; the urge to bear down and push starts here. Contractions last about 60-90 seconds in intervals of 5 minutes
Stage 3 Relatively less painful contractions with the purpose of expelling the placenta and membranes


The show

It is the release of the mucus plug which had sealed the cervix opening from the start of pregnancy. In some women the pinkish jelly like blob dislodges itself while in others the blob disintegrates into smaller pieces. It can appear in your underwear or when you wipe yourself with a toilet paper. Basically this is indicative of the cervix stretching a little in preparation of labor. Several days or sometimes only few hours may lapse before true labor kicks in. A show with slight bleeding indicates early labor. If you don't have a show or somehow miss noticing it, you may still be in labor.

The Waters

When the amniotic sac ruptures, the fluid may escape either as a gush down your legs but more often it comes out in trickle form. Most women don't even realize this because it feels more like a dribble of urine. Wear a sanitary napkin. Sometimes the trickle slows down and comes to a stop, meaning the rupture wasn't complete and the sac has sealed itself. Usually ruptures don't occur in first pregnancies. If the fluid continues to escape but there are no signs of labor within 24 hours contact your doc immediately. Baby is vulnerable to infection if waters continue to trickle out over a day in the absence of labor. Membranes are usually left to break on their own. There are times when it is necessary to break the bag e.g. when labor needs to be induced or speeded up or if baby is under duress.

 
Add-ons


Internal checks

Internal examinations during labor provide important information on the labor progress. They can be uncomfortable so it helps to empty your bladder and relax your muscles. Once labor is in established stage, an internal check will done every 4 hours or so. Being aware of the progress will help the mother decide on the form of pain relief she may need.

Monitoring baby

A cardiotocograph or a CTG consists of two transducers. The device will be strapped on the abdomen of the mother with a connection to a monitor. A print out from the monitor will indicate baby's heartbeat and the uterine contractions. It is a mobile device so movement by the mother will not affect the monitoring. Continuous monitoring is only required in instances such as premature labor, when oxytocin or epidural is used of if baby is in distress. On other counts when everything is going good with the mother and baby, there is no need to be strapped to this device.

1st stage

It is important to stay mobile between contractions by walking around as much as you can. Three things happen: the labor progresses, the mother's coping ability increases and contraction speed picks up. Women who remain mobile and sit upright during labor, stand and squat, instead of lying down on the whole have shorter labors and need to rely less on pain relief.
 
Find a Doctor
Looking for a Doctor in Your Area? Check out this Recommended
List of Doctors by other Mum's & Mum's-to-be. Click here
Recommend a Doctor
Are you Happy Enough to Recommend your
Doctor to Other Mums? Click here
 
 
Pregnancy Articles by Category
 
 
 
Shopping : Best Deals
  Moms-To-Be
   Earth Mama Angel Baby Collection
 Bottoms (jeans,caprice,skirts etc)
 DVDs Specials
 Folic Acid
 Maternity & Nursing Bras
 Maternity T-shirts
 Maternity Panties
 Maternity Pillows
 Pregnancy Tests
 Prenatal Heart Listening System
 Special Supplements
 Stretch Mark Creams
 Support Bands & Belts
 Morning Sickness Quick Fix
Baby On the way!

Free!


Samples from the top international family and baby brands
 


C-Section - The Facts C-Section - The Facts
  Most babies are born head first, through the vagina. However some vaginal births require assistance. Two types of instruments are used to aid vaginal delivery..
Read More
   
Induction Of Labor (IOL) Induction Of Labor (IOL)
  Induction of labor (IOL) means bringing on contractions through external aids before your body goes into labor naturally. IOL strengthens..

Read More
   
The Birth Process The Birth Process
  It is natural to be perplexed, curious and even tensed about what is going to happen when the date draws close. If this is your first baby, fear of what to expect, curious..
Read More
   
Assisted Delivery Assisted Delivery
  When labor doesn't progress smoothly, some assistance becomes necessary. Popular procedures involve the use of instruments such as forceps or a vacuum extractor. Common reasons for assisted delivery are -
Read More
   
What is Mucus Plug What is Mucus Plug
  One sure sign that labor is on the way is when you lose the mucus plug. Tinged with blood or clear in color, the mucus on your underpants in the last weeks describes this plug. The thick mucus has been blocking the opening to the cervix for a while now..
Read More
   
 
 
 
:: Pregnancy Articles by Category ::
Pregnancy Video Click Here! First Trimester Pregnancy Second Trimester Pregnancy Third Trimester Pregnancy Pregnancy Common Complaints Pregnancy Terms Special Pregnancy Test
Expectant Father Top 101 Questions during Pregnancy Labor Issues High Risk Pregnancies Food Facts A Healthy Pregnancy Emotional make-up during Pregnancy Infections During Pregnancy
 
Track your baby's development
week by week through pregnancy & learn how to cope with pregnancy symptoms & Sign me up
  Enter Estimated Due Date  Enter your E-mail address *
     
  If you are not sure about your due date, our Pregnancy Calculator can help!
 
 
Send to a Friend What is Labor?
Click here to add What is Labor? page to your favorites
 
 
 
 
Pregnancy Calculator
Calculate Now
 
 
   Back to Home | Back to Pregnancy

Disclaimer: Information contained on this Web site is intended solely to make available general summarized information to the public. It should not be substituted for medical advice. It is your responsibility to consult with your pediatrician and/or health care provider before acting on any advice on this web site. While OEM endeavors to provide up-to-date and accurate information, it is not liable for any advice whatsoever rendered nor is it liable for the completeness or timeliness of any information on this site.

 
Home | About Us | Preconception | Pregnancy | Parenting | Shopping | Send Link to Friend | Pregnancy Videos

Pregnancy Due Date Calculator | Pregnancy Calander | Free Newsletters | Contact Us/Feedback | Sitemap
 
All Rights Reserved. © One Extra Mile, 2006 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
Thank you for visting "What is Labor?"
Click Here!