Active labour how long

You have a few options here:. This phase is when you deliver the baby. At this point, you're fully dilated and ready to push.

The contractions might even give you the urge and motivation to push, which Di Julio says can make the pain a little easier to manage at this point. As with the other phases, there's no telling exactly how long stage two will last for you since it varies greatly from person to person. If it's your first time giving birth, this phase can last up to two hours.

If it's not your first time, it should be more like one hour. Research indicates that if this phase lasts for more than four hours it increases the risk that the baby will suffer complications due to lack of oxygen that could lead to brain damage, seizures, and breathing problems.

However, as with stage one, there's a wide variation and some lucky mothers can push the baby out in minutes. The hardest part is over. In this final stage of labor, contractions will continue, but they won't be nearly as painful nor will they be regular as with the first two stages of labor.

In this final stage, you'll deliver the placenta with a small push and slight traction on the umbilical cord by the obstetrician. If the placenta has detached from the uterus, it will only take about five minutes to deliver it. However, the process can take as much as an hour, according to the Mayo Clinic. The last part of active labor is called the transition period because it marks the shift to the second stage of labor. Transition can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

It's much more likely to be fast if you've already had a vaginal delivery. If you're laboring without an epidural, this is when you may begin to lose faith in your ability to handle the pain, so you'll need lots of extra encouragement and support from those around you.

Once your cervix is fully dilated, the work of the second stage of labor begins: the final descent and birth of your baby. With each contraction, the force of your uterus — combined with the force of your abdominal muscles if you're actively pushing — exerts pressure on your baby to continue to move down through the birth canal. You may feel a wide range of emotions now: euphoria, awe, pride, disbelief, excitement to name but a few , and, of course, intense relief that it's all over. Exhausted as you may be, you'll also probably feel a burst of energy, and any thoughts of sleep will vanish for the time being.

When pushing, try different positions until you find one that feels right and is effective for you. It's not unusual to use a variety of positions during the second stage. Minutes after giving birth, your uterus begins to contract again.

The first few contractions usually separate the placenta from your uterine wall. When your caregiver sees signs of separation, she may ask you to gently push to help expel the placenta. This is usually one short push that's not at all difficult or painful.

Unless your baby needs special care, be sure to insist on some quiet time together. The eyedrops and vitamin K can wait a little while. You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

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By Mayo Clinic Staff. Open pop-up dialog box Cervical effacement and dilation Close. Cervical effacement and dilation During the first stage of labor, the cervix opens dilates and thins out effaces to allow the baby to move into the birth canal. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Funai EF, et al. Management of normal labor and delivery. Accessed June 16, Simkin P, et al. Nonpharmacological approaches to management of labor pain. Satin AJ. Latent phase of labor. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Labor and delivery. Washington, D. Gabbe SG, et al. Normal labor and delivery. In: Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. Philadelphia, Pa. Younger Meek J, et al. The first feedings. Be prepared to be flexible with your plans.

It is hard to know how long your labour will last, but most first babies arrive after 12 to 20 hours. Your contractions become stronger and more frequent. The neck of your womb your cervix becomes thin and dilates opens to 10cm. A midwife assesses you. He or she talks to you about what signs of labour you have. They may offer to do a vaginal internal examination to see how your labour is progressing.

If you are still in early labour you may be told to go home until labour becomes stronger. If you live far away from hospital this might not be an option. You will be admitted to the antenatal ward or to the birthing suite.

If you are admitted during the night your partner might be asked to go home.