Childbirth

Stage Two of Childbirth

Stage two of childbirth begins once you are fully dilated which is 10 centimeters. Your contractions will become farther apart. Some women say that this stage of labor and contractions are not as intense because you can begin to start pushing. Some women however do not like the feeling of pushing.

If your baby has now moved low into your pelvis, you may have the desire to begin to pushing. In some cases the baby is still high the pelvis so you may not feel the urge to push and in other women they begin to feel the urge to push prior to the cervix dilating a full 10 centimeters. Your contractions during this stage will be putting pressure on your little one and moving him or her down into the birth canal. You will have time to rest in between contractions and should do so. Let your uterus do the work as much as you can until your doctor tells you it is time to begin pushing, and then you will need all your energy. If the urge to push is strong, you should tell your attending physician or midwife. Most of the time especially if this is your first baby; the doctor will ask you to push during each contraction to help your baby move down into the birth canal. So, you may become very tired, so rest as often as you can.

Normally, the second is not quick if this is your first baby. However, with you pushing and your uterus contracting the baby will move down. The worse part is when you first begin pushing, the baby will move forward and then once you relax and your uterus relaxes the baby's head will move back again. This is very normal and does not present a problem. You may try different positions so you can be more comfortable.

Once the perineum begins to bulge with your pushing your baby's head will begin to appear. When this occurs, the urge to push will of course intensify. The doctor will check and make sure that the baby is in the proper position for deliver. With every contraction now, your baby's head will become more visible. You will be able to touch the baby's head or the doctor can show you with a mirror if you would like to enjoy this miracle of birth. As you are pushing, the doctor may ask you to push softer or to stop pushing. This will allow your baby's head to stretch the vagina and perineum; this should prevent you from receiving any tearing. As soon as the widest part of your baby's head can be seen, you are now in the crowning stage. As soon as you are here, you will soon be able to see your little ones forehead, nose, mouth and then his chin. Next, the doctor will help you push the shoulders out. Be sure not to push unless the doctor tells you, the baby must be in the proper position. Now, your baby has been born and you are on to stage three of childbirth while everyone attends to your newborn.