The second stage of labor is the highlight of the birth by the delivering lady, her partner, and the care provider.
When you give birth to your baby, you are in the second stage of labor. This stage begins when your cervix is fully dilated and continues until your baby is born. When you feel the urge to push, the midwife will assist you in finding a comfortable posture and will lead you.
Four Stages of Labor
First Stage: The first stage begins with the commencement of frequent painful contractions that are accompanied by the descent of the presenting part and increasing cervix dilation until the cervix is fully dilated.
Second Stage: From full cervical dilatation to the birth of the singleton or last baby in a multiple pregnancies. The fetal presenting part may or may not be fully engaged (meaning that the largest diameter has passed through the pelvic brim) at the start of the second stage, and the mother may or may not feel the urge to push.
Third Stage: From the time the baby is born until the placenta and membranes are expelled.
Fourth Stage: This stage also known as immediate postpartum care is sometimes added to midwifery education. This refers to the time period after the placenta has been expelled when close observation is desirable to avoid or detect postpartum hemorrhage, signs of sepsis or hypertension, and when breastfeeding is started.
What is the Second Stage of Labor Specific Aspect?
Find a Position
- Find a position that you enjoy and that will make your work easier.
- You could either stay in bed with your back propped up with pillows, or get out of bed and stand, sit, kneel, or squat (squatting may feel difficult if you are not used to it).
- If you are exhausted, resting on your side rather than propped up with pillows may be more comfortable. Kneeling on all fours may be beneficial if you have had back pain during labor.
- It is entirely up to you. If you have tried out some of these positions before, it can help.
- Depending on where you give birth, you may be able to spend some or all of your labor in a bath, which can help you relax and cope with the discomfort.
Pushing
When your cervix is fully dilated, you can begin pushing during contractions if you feel the need to:
- take two deep breaths as the contraction begins and push down.
- take another breath if women needs.
- push a few times until the contraction stops.
- rest after each contraction to regain strength for the next one.
During the second stage of labor, a woman is generally find this stage a difficult stage of labor, and progress is usually gradual and steady, especially if it is her first child. Your midwife will be there for you every step of the way, assisting, and encouraging you. Your birth partner might also be of great assistance to you. Because this stage might take up to two hours, it is beneficial to have your birthing team keep you informed. Breathe deeply, try to relax, and follow your body’s natural inclinations to push during this time.
The Birth
The baby’s head slides down the vaginal canal until it can be seen in the second stage. When the head is almost ready to be born, the midwife will tell you to stop pushing and pant or puff a couple of quick short breaths through your mouth. This allows the skin and muscles of the perineum (the area between your vagina and anus) to extend without tearing when your baby’s head is delivered slowly and gently.
During the second stage of labor, a woman is generally has a perineum’s skin extends well in most cases, yet it can rip. A midwife or doctor may inject local anesthesia and perform an episiotomy to widen the opening to the vagina to avoid a tear or to speed up delivery. The cut or rip is then sewn up to aid healing. Learn about your body after your baby is born, including how to deal with stitches.
The majority of the hard work is done after your baby’s head is delivered. The body is normally born fast and easily with one additional moderate push. Before your midwife or birth partner cuts the cord, you can have your baby lifted immediately onto you.
Your baby may be covered in vernix a white, oily substance that has served as protection in the uterus.
Skin-to-Skin Contact
Because skin-to-skin contact aids bonding, having your baby lifted onto you before the cord is cut is a wonderful idea so you can feel and be close to each other right soon.
