What is the whole process of a woman giving birth naturally?

The entire process of childbirth is what first-time mothers want to know. On the one hand, expectant mothers are eager for the arrival of their baby, but on the other hand, they have a deep fear of childbirth. In fact, once you really know what childbirth is, you will be able to face it calmly. So, what is the whole process of a woman's normal delivery like? Let's take a look at how authoritative experts answer this question:

What is the whole process of a woman's normal delivery like? The whole process from regular uterine contractions to the delivery of the fetus and placenta is called the total delivery process. The first stage of labor is the longest, and the contractions at this time are to prepare for opening the cervix. The second stage of labor is the vaginal delivery of the fetus, and the third stage is the delivery of the placenta. The first, second and third stages of labor are the three clinical stages of the total labor, that is, three stages of labor.

1. The first stage of labor: a long prelude

Time span: about 8 to 12 hours before entering the delivery room (primipara)

The first stage of labor refers to the beginning of the expansion of the uterine opening until it is fully dilated (approximately 10 cm). This is the longest stage of the entire delivery process. At this time, the intervals between uterine contractions will become shorter and shorter, from more than 30 seconds every 5 to 6 minutes at the beginning to 50 seconds every 2 to 3 minutes. During the first stage of labor, the expectant mother feels lower abdominal pain during contractions. The tighter the contractions, the shorter the intervals between them, and the faster the cervix opens. During this stage, expectant mothers must remain quiet and not shout or scream, which would waste their energy, so as to avoid being exhausted and unable to cooperate later.

2. Second stage of labor: Pushing is required

Time span: about 1 to 2 hours

Once your cervix is ​​fully open, you enter the fetal delivery phase, which means it is finally time for your baby to leave your body. The second stage of labor refers to the stage from full dilation of the uterus to delivery of the baby. At this time, as the uterine contractions intensify, the cervix fully opens, and the presenting part of the fetal head begins to descend into the pelvis. As labor progresses, uterine contractions intensify, forcing the baby to be delivered from the mother's body.

3. The third stage of labor: delivery of the placenta

Time span: about 5 to 15 minutes

The third stage of labor refers to the period from the birth of the baby to the discharge of the placenta from the vagina. At this time, the baby has been delivered, the contractions will pause for a while and then start again. The placenta will peel off from the uterine wall and move to the cervix due to uterine contractions. If the expectant mother pushes again, the placenta will come out smoothly. Your doctor or midwife will check the placenta and diaphragm to make sure they are all out, and any fragments left in the uterus should be removed. Your doctor or midwife will also check your uterus to make sure it is continuing to contract so that any bleeding from where the placenta has separated can be stopped. If you had an episiotomy, the wound will also need to be sutured at this time.

Now, some people advocate calling the 2 hours after delivery the "fourth stage of labor." Because postpartum hemorrhage mostly occurs within these 2 hours, the mother still needs to stay in the delivery room for observation during this period. If everything goes well, the mother will be sent to the rest room after 2 hours and the delivery process is truly over.

What is the whole process of a woman's normal childbirth like? Through the above content, we understand the hardships and pains of childbirth for women, and at the same time we are grateful to our mothers for the great grace of giving birth to us. Although we often see mothers raising children in our lives, we often take it for granted. After understanding the above content, we should be more grateful for our mother’s efforts.