Dilation and labor timeline

There is actually a rough timetable for dilation and labor pains in pregnant women, but it does not follow the timetable completely and may change depending on the situation of each pregnant woman. Generally, labor pains will start before delivery, with an interval of about five minutes and last for one minute. Pregnant women should pay attention to such symptoms as delivery may be imminent.

The whole process of delivery is divided into 3 stages, also known as 3 stages of labor. The first stage of labor is the period of cervical dilation. The second stage of labor is the period when the fetus is delivered. The third stage of labor, the placental delivery stage, refers to the process from fetal delivery to placental expulsion. The first stage of labor refers to the period from labor to full dilation of the cervix. Only after full dilation can the baby pass through the birth canal smoothly and be delivered from the body. The cervix is ​​called fully dilated when it is ten centimeters, and only then can the fetus be born. Generally, the cervix opens slowly before it is three centimeters dilated, taking two to three hours to dilate one centimeter. After it is three centimeters dilated, it opens quickly, generally fully in four to eight hours. Childbirth is a process that cannot be rushed. Cooperate with the doctor. If your water breaks, or your cervix fully dilates when you have to strain to defecate, you need to communicate with the doctor on duty. So, you can give birth if the cervix is ​​dilated to ten centimeters.

When is the most painful time for the cervix to open?

Obstetricians and gynecologists say there is no limit to how many fingers of dilation is the most painful. Regarding the question of "how many fingers is the most painful?", the experts' opinion is: there is no such thing as how many fingers is the most painful!

Obstetricians say that when the cervix is ​​dilated to the size of one finger, the expectant mother is in labor, but it is not the actual birth yet and it will not hurt much. During this stage, pay attention to changes in fetal movements and go to the hospital for treatment at any time if there are any abnormalities.

Generally, when the cervix is ​​dilated to 3 fingers, the mother can enter the delivery room; and it takes a longer time for the cervix to dilate from 3 fingers to fully dilate, which is also the stage when the mother goes from no pain to severe pain, so it feels more difficult. Generally, the first stage of labor for first-time mothers will be longer and slower. This is also a stage that many women fear because the dilation of the cervix is ​​accompanied by labor pains. However, since the conditions and sensitivity of each mother are different, the feeling of pain is also different, so there is no saying that how many fingers of dilation is the most painful.

How to relieve the pain of cervical dilation

Try to relax

It is normal for expectant mothers to have tense abdominal muscles during contractions. At this time, other parts of the body should be relaxed as much as possible. When the expectant mother is sitting or lying down, her body needs some support, such as a pillow or a backrest. The expectant father should make sure that his wife's elbows, legs, lower back and neck are supported and feel comfortable. He should also check whether all parts of his wife's body are completely relaxed.

Listen to music and relax

Studies have long found that music can relieve a woman’s tension during childbirth and reduce the pain of contractions. By recording the delivery conditions of expectant mothers, it was found that those who listened to music had significantly reduced emotional tension and pain. The study also found that letting mothers listen to music and do music therapy can help them recover after childbirth and improve the relationship between mother and new baby.

Birthing Ball Exercises

When the expectant mother is experiencing labor pains, she should not lie in bed all the time. She can get up and walk around, or try doing the birthing ball exercise, which is to sit on a fitness ball. As the ball swings back and forth, the support on the pelvic floor can help relieve pelvic floor pain.

Distraction

When contractions become more frequent, expectant mothers may wish to imagine the beautiful scene when the baby is born, or read a newspaper, watch TV, take a walk, chat, and try not to think about the word "pain".