Stages of birth

Dr. rer. nat. Daniela Oesterle is a molecular biologist, human geneticist and trained medical editor. As a freelance journalist, she writes texts on health topics for experts and laypeople and edits specialist scientific articles by doctors in German and English. She is responsible for the publication of certified advanced training courses for medical professionals for a renowned publishing house.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

A birth generally lasts several hours and can be divided into different phases of birth: opening phase, expulsion phase, postpartum phase. Different types of labor accompany each phase of the birth. Which contractions start when, how long does a birth take, what support do obstetricians provide? You can read answers to these questions and more about childbirth phases here!

Three stages of childbirth

Infrequent labor pains set in three to four weeks before the birth. As the name suggests: They help lower the stomach so that the baby can slide deeper towards the pelvic floor. A few days before birth, irregular and vigorous pre-contractions (pressure: up to 40 mmHg) cause the child's head to be pressed firmly into the entrance to the pelvic floor. The transition to the opening labor of the opening phase (first of the three birth phases) is fluid.

1st phase: opening phase

The birth begins with the longest phase, the opening phase: Regular and strong opening contractions develop from the pre-contractions (pressure: 40 to 50 mmHg). They last 30 to 60 seconds each and occur every five to 20 minutes. The closer you get to the birth, the shorter the intervals between labor.

The cervix shortens as a result of labor and certain metabolic processes. In addition, the cervix widens from zero to about ten centimeters. So the child's head can step even deeper. The head increasingly presses on the amniotic sac until it ruptures (the bubble ruptures in good time) and passes the bony pelvis of the mother-to-be.

In the case of first-time mothers, the opening phase lasts up to twelve hours, whereas in women who have already given birth (at least) one child, it takes an average of two to eight hours. The reason is that in first-time women the cervix shortens first and then the cervix opens. In multiparous women, on the other hand, these two processes happen at the same time.

Premature or delayed rupture of the bladder

Occasionally the amniotic sac bursts before the opening labor and thus before the cervix is ​​fully opened. Because there is then a risk of ascending infections, the pregnant woman should go to the hospital quickly.

If the amniotic sac does not tear until the expulsion phase, one speaks of a delayed rupture of the bladder. Midwives or doctors then open the amniotic sac with a small instrument.

2nd phase: expulsion phase

In the second phase of birth, the expulsion phase, the cervix opens completely and the child is born. First, the regular expulsion contractions (pressure: 60 mmHg) set in. They occur every four to ten minutes. When the child's head reaches the pelvic floor, it creates pressure on the mother. This sets in motion a maternal reflex to actively pushing, which is also noticeable in the frequency and strength of the contractions: Every two to three minutes, pressing contractions occur - the most intense type of labor (pressure: 200 mmHg).

Thanks to the contractions and the reflective cooperation of the mother, the head is pushed deeper and deeper into the vagina until it passes the vaginal outlet at the end of the expulsion phase. The child sees the light of day head first (normally)! If the head passes through the dam, one speaks of cutting through. To prevent a possible perineal tear, midwives press lightly on the perineum. During the next contraction, the baby's shoulders and the rest of the body usually follow very quickly. If everything is okay with the child, you can have them placed on your stomach or chest straight away.

The obstetricians, especially your midwife, are at your side during the expulsion phase. They tell you exactly how to actively participate.

In primiparous women, the expulsion phase usually lasts up to an hour, in multiparous women often only 20 to 30 minutes. Active participation by the woman in labor can shorten this phase.

If the baby does not want to come, cautious help is given to first-time women after about an hour, and to multiparous women after 20 to 30 minutes: the child is carefully pulled out with a suction cup or forceps.

3rd phase: postpartum phase

A few minutes after the child is born, the third of the birth phases begins: the postpartum phase. It lasts an average of ten to 20 minutes and ends with the expulsion of the placenta. Detachment and expulsion of the placenta are made possible by the afterbirth contractions, the intensity of which gradually decreases.

In the puerperium, there are final after-labor pains. They serve to regress the uterus and stop bleeding.

Stages of birth: how is the baby doing?

Without a doubt, the stages of childbirth are arduous for the expectant mother. But the birth process also means a great deal of effort for the child. It is therefore part of the task of midwives and medical professionals to continuously monitor the health of both.

During childbirth, for example, the heart rate, blood pressure and the temperature of the mother are measured every one to two hours.The specialists can determine how far the birth has progressed through regular vaginal examinations. Among other things, the width and consistency of the cervix and the position of the child's head are checked.

The child and mother are monitored during the birth with a so-called contractions recorder (cardiotocograph). It records both the child's heartbeat and labor. There are also other ways of monitoring, such as taking some blood from the child's head for analysis or examining the condition of the amniotic sac.

Don't worry about birth pains

Because the sometimes very painful contractions in the birth phases have a very positive effect - the birth of their own child - many women can endure the pain of childbirth well. If they do get too violent, there are various options for pain relief such as massage and acupuncture. Changing postures, relaxation or breathing exercises, and relaxation aids such as full baths or foot baths are other good methods of dealing with pain.

In addition, there is always the option in the delivery room to use painkillers or to numb the body regionally (with peridual anesthesia, PDA).

No heavy diet during childbirth

A birth usually takes hours and costs the expectant mother a lot of energy. At the same time, heavy labor can lead to vomiting in some women. Therefore, eat light, but energizing food such as muesli bars, glucose or chocolate during the birth phases.

Tags:  parasites hair Diseases