The second stage of labor is

It takes ten months for a woman to get pregnant and give birth, especially during the birthing process.

What is the second stage of labor?

The second stage of labor refers to the period of fetal delivery, which is from the full dilation of the uterine mouth to the delivery of the fetus. It takes about 1 to 2 hours for a primipara, and faster for multiparas, but it can also take up to 1 hour. The second stage of labor should not exceed 2 hours.

In order to achieve natural vaginal delivery, the fetal head must constantly adapt to changes in the diameter of the birth canal during the descent process. To achieve this goal, the position of the fetal head undergoes a series of changes in the following order: flexion, internal rotation (the fetal head rotates 90°, with the occipital bone facing forward), extension, reduction and external rotation. After the mouth is fully opened, the fetal membranes are usually ruptured. At this time, the fetal head should descend to the pelvic floor and compress the rectum, so that the mother has a feeling of defecation and involuntarily pushes down and holds her breath. At this time, uterine contractions are more frequent, about once every 1-2 minutes, and each contraction can last up to 1 minute. When the fetal head descends to the pelvic outlet, the perineum gradually swells and thins, the anus is pressed open, and the fetal head gradually becomes visible at the vaginal opening. At the beginning, the fetal head is exposed outside the vaginal opening during uterine contractions and retracts during the intervals, which is called fetal head exposure. As labor progresses, more and more of the fetal head is exposed and does not retract during contractions. This part is called the crown. At this time, the biparietal diameter of the fetal head has reached the vaginal opening, and the perineum has expanded and thinned significantly, so care should be taken to protect the perineum. When the fetal occipital bone reaches below the pubic arch, the fetal head extends upward during uterine contractions, and the forehead, nose, mouth and chin are delivered in sequence. After the fetal head is delivered, it turns back and rotates outward. At this time, the fetal shoulder reaches the vaginal opening, and then the front shoulder, posterior shoulder and fetal body are delivered one after another, and the amniotic fluid follows. The mother feels lightened after the baby is delivered.

This is the main process of the second stage of labor.

How long is the second stage of labor?

The second stage of labor refers to the period of fetal delivery, which is from the full dilation of the uterine mouth to the delivery of the fetus. It takes about 1 to 2 hours for a primipara, and faster for multiparas, but it can also take up to 1 hour. The second stage of labor should not exceed 2 hours.

During the second stage of labor, the doctor performs a vaginal examination to determine the fetal position and instructs the woman to hold her breath during each contraction so that the fetal head gradually descends through the pelvic cavity and gradually expands the vaginal opening. During uterine contractions, the midwife places her left palm on the fetal head to control the speed of its advancement. Bend the fingers of the right hand to protect the perineum and assist in the delivery of the fetus. The midwife's control over the speed of delivery of the fetal head is the key to a safe delivery.

After the fetal head is delivered, the fetal body rotates and the shoulders are located at the anterior-posterior diameter of the outlet. The fetal head is gently pressed and the anterior shoulders are delivered from under the pubic arch. The fetal head is slightly raised, the posterior shoulders are delivered from the perineum, and finally the fetal body is delivered one after another. The midwife will clear the newborn's respiratory tract, suck out the mucus and amniotic fluid from the mouth, nose, and pharynx, stimulate the soles of the newborn's feet, and then you will hear the baby's loud first cry. Then she will handle the umbilical cord and finally place the newborn in a warm crib or in the mother's arms, so you can see what the baby looks like. For first-time mothers, this process is generally controlled within two hours.

Studies have shown that the length of the second stage of labor is related to the health of the fetus after birth. Therefore, expectant mothers should cooperate with doctors and strive to give birth to a healthy baby within the normal time of the second stage of labor.