Birth phases: This is how birth takes place

The three stages of birth

Your baby decides when it wants to be born. What exactly triggers the birth has not been finally clarified to this day. However, the specialists agree on the phases of childbirth, they are divided into three sections: the initial phase , the expulsion phase and the afterbirth phase .

Opening phase – now it starts

The dilatation phase begins with the first dilation contractions and ends when the cervix is ​​fully dilated. During labor, the cervix gradually dilates until it is about ten centimeters wide. This happens when your unborn baby’s head presses on the cervix. The opening phase can take a very long time, especially for first-time mothers. Exactly how long is individual for each woman and each birth. But after the second child it is shorter for most women.

The opening phase is again divided into three periods:

• The latency phase is the longest of these three periods. With the first child, it can last up to eight hours. Contractions begin at a frequency of about 2 to 3 every 30 minutes and then increase to 2 to 3 every 10 minutes. The cervix dilates a few centimeters and the cervix shortens. During the opening phase you can still be relatively active and do what is comfortable for you. Some expectant mothers still go for walks, others prefer to bathe, stand, sit or lie down. Basically, any posture that is good for you and comfortable for you can be adopted.
• The active phase is shorter at three to five hours. The contractions become more intense and the cervix has dilated about four centimeters. In this phase, he will now open up the necessary ten centimeters. A rupture of membranes usually occurs in this phase . The little head is now pressing on the cervix. If the amniotic sac has not yet opened on its own , it may be opened now (amniotomy) to prevent the umbilical cord from pushing in front of the head. The baby should be pushed into the pelvis head first.
• At around an hour, the transition phase is the shortest period of time when you experience the most intense contractions. At the end of this phase, the cervix is ​​fully dilated and ready for birth. The child’s head rotates into the correct position. Changing positions can help the child do this. In this phase, breathing is particularly important, because you have to recover well during the breaks in contraction and sometimes even “ pant ” over the urge to push along. You should only push when the cervix is ​​fully open and the child is in the ideal position.

Expulsion phase – the contractions are getting stronger

The next phase of labor is the expulsion phase. The very strong labor pains can now occur every minute and last 60 to 90 seconds. Now you should do the birthing poseposition where the birth is to take place, for example on the birthing stool or on all fours. Your midwife will now guide you to breathe and push. Your baby also works with you during the expulsion phase. With tight arms and legs, it pushes itself towards the exit with the back of its head. The perineum widens and your child’s head becomes visible. Your midwife may try to use certain pressure movements to ease your baby’s path through the birth canal. The next contractions then usually gently drive the head out on its own. Try to relax, even if the birth can be very painful for you. If necessary, your doctor or midwife will perform an episiotomy to make the birth easier. With regular perineal massages, you can limit this risk to a certain extent in advance. When the head is through the birth canal, you’ve done most of it. The rest of the little body then slides out almost by itself.

You made it. Your baby is finally here. Now it is cut off and put in your arms. Suddenly all pain is forgotten, we promise you that!

Final phase – the afterbirth

While you and your baby can now enjoy being together for the first time and are allowed to rest, the afterbirth is born after a few afterpains. Your midwife will immediately check the completeness of the afterbirth to ensure that no part is left in the uterus. That can cause complications. Even after the afterbirth is born, the after-pains that contract the uterus again linger. However, most mothers experience them as hardly any stress after the exertion of childbirth. To ensure that you and your baby are doing well, you will spend about two more hours in the delivery room area, where the doctor and midwife can observe you. This time is very precious: you can get to know each other undisturbed.

Your baby is finally here. You carried a little life inside you for about 40 weeks, felt its footsteps and just waited for the day of the birth. Many mothers are overjoyed after giving birth, others are just exhausted from the exertions of childbirth. That’s perfectly fine. You have just born a new life, now you can rest a bit.