Second Stage:
Active Labor
What you experience:
The second stage of labor usually is shorter than the first stage. The cervix dilates to 7 centimeters. The contractions come about every 3 to 4 minutes. You will feel cramps in the lower back and abdomen and leg discomfort. The pain may become intense and it’s at this point pain management can be used, whether through medical or natural means.
How to cope:
Try changing positions often. Sometimes, if allowed, walking, bathing or showering will help to ease the pain with the contractions. Try to stay focused and relaxed as each contractions hits. This is the optimal time to put to practice any form of childbirth relaxation you may have learned. Keep stress at a minimum, have your labor support person to screen visitors if necessary. Listen to your favorite music. And above all, urinate often.
Transitional Labor
What you experience:
Contractions come every 2 to 3 minutes apart and last about 60 to 90 seconds. You will feel exhausted as the cervix dilates the final 3 centimeters. This is usually the shortest stage of labor lasting an average of about one hour. However, there will be some who will experience several hours of transitional labor.
Each contraction is very strong, and you are likely to feel the intense pressure in your back. This is because the baby is being pushed down and out with each contraction. The baby’s location will be known as “stations”. You may hear the nurse or doctor refer to the baby being at a -2 or +1 station. This is in reference to the knobby bone in the pelvis. A baby at a minus station is behind the bone. A baby at a positive station has advanced in front of the bone.
This is the most strenuous time. If you have chosen to give birth with no medical pain management, you may feel out of control at this point. It’s important to have a good support person to help keep you focused. You won’t be resting during this phase, and you should use all your energy to push the baby out. You will feel intense pressure, much like you need to have a bowel movement.
How to cope:
This is the optimal time to put all the relaxation and breathing techniques into use, if you had learned any during your pregnancy. If not, try to remain calm and focus on the task at hand, birthing your baby.
If allowed you may want to change positions to facilitate labor and help it along. When it’s time to push, you will want to be in the best possible birthing position that’s agreeable to both you and your healthcare provider.
Don’t worry if you feel too irritable or out of control. This is normal. Be sure to let the nurse/doctor/midwife know when you feel the sensation to push and follow their instructions. It’s important to stay focused. Think about how far you’ve come and prepare to meet your little one. Even though the time between contractions now is very short, try to rest as much as possible to conserve your energy for the actual birth.