What are the steps of labor?

Question

I need to know the steeps of pregnancy labor. please none of the bullsh*t some of you people like to give others.

Answer 1

Early Labor:
A. The Cervix dilates between 0-4 cm.
B. Contractions start farther apart 5-20 minutes apart.
C. Contractions are short only lasting 30-60 seconds long.
D. Contractions radiate from back to front.
E. Mother should stay at home or somewhere she feels comfortable.
F. She will be excited, talkative, having spurts of energy.
G. Her bag of water or amniotic sac is usually intact.
H. Primary effacing phase.
I. Early labor is on average half of labor time- 2 to 20 hours.

Active Labor:
A. Dilation 4-7 cm is completed.
B. Contractions closer together 3-5 minutes apart.
C. Contractions are lasting longer 60-90 seconds.
D. Mom becomes more serious, quiet, apprehensive.
E. Mother will proceed to her birthing facility.
F. A bloody show may occur with cervical dilation or a vaginal exam (Remember a bloody show is normal. A large amount of bleeding is not).

Transition:
The word transition means a period of change. Transition in labor means the change in the uterus from opening up the cervix to pushing out the baby. The cervix is dilating from 7-10 cm These contractions are very intense. Transition is the hardest part of labor but also the shortest. Most of the time it lasts between 10 minutes to one hour.
A. Dilation 7-10 cm is completed.
B. Contractions are close together 1-3 minute.
C. Contraction are lasting 90-120 seconds.. Possible multiple peaks.
D. Mother is tired and Irritable.
E. Mother may cry and lose control at this time.
F. Feeling a lot of rectal pressure
G. She may panic or feel disoriented.
I. Nausea and vomiting may occur.
J. Uncontrollable trembling of the legs.
K. Hot/Cold flashes.

Answer 2

In early labor you MIGHT have bloody show. Your bowels might start emptying themselves with soft and frequent BM's. You might be nausious. Your water might break. All of these are "maybes" as all labors are different.

You'll start having contractions (like strong period cramps) that will gradually become stronger and closer together as labor progresses. Changing positions or drinking water or taking a shower will not make them stop. As they get stronger, eventually you will have to focus on getting through them and probably can't talk during one. You'll feel pretty normal between contractions.

When it's getting close to the end, you'll go through transition. This is usually a short period where you dilate the last couple of centimeters in a quick time. Sometimes you throw up in transition. The contrax may seem hard and fast, right on top of one another. You'll begin to feel more pressure in your pelvis as the baby moves down into the birth canal.

Once you start pushing, when the baby's head is starting to emerge you'll experience crowning when the cervix is stretched to it's widest point. This may burn and sting. Try to relax and go with it and it won't be as bad. The good news is, it doesn't last very long.

Pushing feels pretty good if you are working with your body. It's productive and you can feel the baby moving down and out. Once he head is out, baby will rotate for the shoulders to come out.

Delivering the placenta is no big deal at all.

Afterwards the pain basically is completely gone and you feel pretty good.

Answer 3

Other people here pretty much got it. Though don't think everything goes text-book. For instance, I was having contractions 2 minutes apart and I wasn't even dilated yet.

Answer 4

Go here
www.babycenter.com

Or talk to your OB doctor