There are three stages for birth and labor. Remember, there is no false labor. All the Braxton Hicks contractions are just helping you along the path to active labor. Every step gets you both closer to holding that new wee little one in your loving arms.
It's been 9 or 10 long months that you have watched the birthing mother carry this baby inside of her. Now comes those moments where all the times you have been honestly listening and working with her will pay off. She needs you now more than ever... every ounce of you as the birth ally must come into play. Here is a quick overview:
First stage - the beginning of contractions (in most cases it's the longest phase) that cause progressive changes in the birthing mother's cervix and ends when her cervix is fully dilated. This stage is divided into two phases: early labor and active labor. Early labor begins with the onset of contractions. This is where the birthing mother's cervix gradually effaces (thins out) and dilates (opens). Once active labor starts, her cervix begins to dilate more rapidly and contractions become stronger and closer together. Near the end of active labor is the transition phase. This is the part of labor most often depicted on television as the mother completely losing it and cursing her partner, the world in general, and either screaming for drugs or says she's dying.
Second stage - the pushing portion of labor, (at this stage she will need all your patience and your confidence in the birth process and most importantly... in Her!) She is working hard to move the baby down through the open cervix, through the vagina and into the world.
Third stage - the final stage begins right after the birth of the baby and ends with the birth of the placenta.
Every pregnancy is unique, and because of this there is wide deviation in the lengths of labor. For first-time birthing mothers who are at least 36 weeks along, labor can take between ten and 20 hours on average. For some it lasts much longer, while for others it's much shorter. Labor generally progresses more swiftly for women who've already given birth.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/the-stages-of-birth-939305.html
So, as you come to the end of the pregnancy and the beginning of labor... Just start thinking about how birthing mothers' bodies are amazing. They can grow babies from two tiny cells to millions of cells all by themselves. If a body can do all that, this same amazing body can birth that same beautiful baby. Women DO NOT need to be rescued from childbirth! We human beings would have died out a long time ago if natural birth didn't work. Trust in the birth process. To learn more about birthing at home and the stages of birth please wander over to our informative website http://www.organic-birth.com
John Rakestraw and his wife, Toni, of 24 years have 8 wonderful children. They've had 4 homebirths and would love to help more families realize this dream!
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