Giving Birth: The Stages

First Stage: Early Labor

• 0-4cm
• Spread out contractions.  May be 10-15 minutes apart lasting up to 30 seconds.
• Hydrate and rest!
• If think might be going into active labor switch up the activity: naps/resting on bed, shower, relaxing in tub, walking, etc.

Second Stage: Active Labor
For a normal labor* will feel pain for about 10 minutes with 50 minutes of rest for each hour.

• 4-8 cm
• Contractions will be 3-5 minutes apart.
• Contractions will last 45-70 seconds.
• Breathe deeply and slowly.
• Labor can plateau during this stage.  Don't panic!
• See Pain Management.

Third Stage: Transition
For a normal labor* will feel pain for about 22.5 minutes with 37.5 minutes of rest for each hour.

• 8-10 cm
• Feel like baby is coming out :)
• See Pain Management.
• If you make it this far, this is when you want to quit.
• Super close to baby's arrival!
• Round Two: Happened super fast and caused me to panic.

Birth of Baby

• Urge to push.
• Less painful than transition.
• You will be tired.
• Once the baby comes out your body will shake uncontrollably for several minutes.  Some people do this up to two hours.
• Round One: Pushed two hours because Baby C had her fist by her head.
• Round Two: Pushed maybe three times and Baby A was out!

Birth of Placenta

• A piece of cake compared to baby :)
• Can be more painful as you have more kiddos.
• Round Two: Didn't seem to be much more painful but the contractions afterwards were awful!

*Normal labor: Baby positioned correctly and no complications.