This is what happens during the childbirth experience. With each contraction, you will take a deep breath and hold for a count of ten while pushing. You will do this for two to three times with each contraction. This helps to push the baby out. This may last for only several minutes or could last for several hours. Usually a first-time birth will be longer.
This is exhausting work. Between each contraction, you should rest and save your energy.
As the baby’s head crowns, your doctor or midwife will do things to help ease the baby out such as applying warm compresses or performing an episiotomy (to put it simply, it is a cut at the opening of the vagina) or more specifically, it is a surgical procedure that involves cutting the perineum (skin between the vagina and the anus) during labor to enlarge the vaginal opening. The procedure is intended to prevent vaginal tears during delivery. It is believed to open the vagina up to allow the baby to slip out easier.
Some physicians and midwives believe that an episiotomy is easier to suture and heal from than allowing a tear. However, there are arguments that a tear is better. This is something you will need to discuss at length with your midwife or physician before labor starts. Kegels are exercises you can do to help you avoid having an episiotomy.)
As the baby’s head emerges, your birth attendant will suction the nose out. Sometimes the baby will cry before it’s fully born. Usually once the head is out, the rest of the body follows in one or two contractions.
After the baby is fully delivered, you will feel a sense of relief from the intense pressure.
The baby’s cord may be cut immediately or may be cut after the cord stops pulsating.
Again, this is something to discuss with your physician/midwife before labor begins.
Placenta or Afterbirth Delivery
After the baby is born, you will feel a sense of relief. Usually the placenta will be
delivered effortlessly, with one or two pushes. If you have a physician, he will assist by making sure the entire placenta is delivered. Once the placenta is removed, if you’ve had an episiotomy or any tears, it will be repaired.
If you plan on nursing your baby, you will notice that each time your baby latches on you will feel the afterbirth contractions. These contractions will help your uterus to expel the remainder of the lining and it will also help it to shrink back down to its normal size.
These contractions will be stronger in the second and subsequent births.