Along with making sure I had my check-list in order, Jessie also asked me to brush up on the breathing techniques that she’s supposed to be doing while in labor. She says she might “forget” how to do them. What she’s really trying to say is, she has no clue and needs my expertise. Well, that’s what I’m here for! Therefore, without further ado, I will present a two-part, crash course to labor and breathing.
There are three basic stages to labor.
First stage: The first stage of labor occurs when the cervix (the narrow portion of the uterus that connects to the top of the vagina) dilates (opens) and effaces (thins out) to allow the baby down into the birth canal. The first stage of labor is divided into three phases: Early, Active, and Transition.
In the early phase, the woman will have irregular contractions, and the cervix will be dilated to 4 cm. (No need to break out the ruler for a measurement.) As the cervix begins to open, you will notice a thick, stringy, bloody discharge from the vagina. This is called a bloody show. No, this is not like a horror show on TV that you can watch while eating popcorn.
The early phase can last up to 14 hours or longer for some first-time moms. During this time, most women can carry on doing what they normally do. You don’t have to go to the hospital during the early phase.
In the active phase, contractions come at regular intervals and are stronger and closer together. You should be at the hospital or speeding your way there. Contractions tend to last 40 to 60 seconds and are spaced 3 to 5 minutes apart. Active labor can last up to 6 hours or longer. It is during this stage that an epidural (if needed) is used to decrease the pain.
The transition phase is one of the shortest parts of labor. However, it can last from several minutes to several hours. Contractions will last 60 to 90 seconds and come 2 to 3 minutes apart.
The transition phase is considered to be one of the hardest parts of labor and if she hasn't already started yet, the wife will soon begin cursing up a storm. If there’s one point during labor where the video camera should be recording, this is it. Nothing says "I love you" more than a big "F*** you!" At this point, the cervix will be dilated to 10 cm.
Second stage: This is the stage where the real pushing begins and the woman delivers the baby. It can take a few minutes or several hours. Breathing techniques are recommended to help ease the pain and keep the woman focused. Often times, women will poop during this stage because of the pushing that’s involved. (This could be an interesting photo-op, though I doubt the wife would approve.)
Third stage: The placenta is delivered in the third stage. This is the organ that connects the fetus to the uterine wall and regulates nutrition uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange. It's a nice surprise for dads that aren’t expecting anything to follow after the baby. While it looks alien in nature, do not think that you are having an alien baby. The placenta is typically delivered in 5-30 minutes.
If you add up all three stages, giving birth is a pretty drawn-out process. This isn’t the movies where one minute the woman is walking down the street, and the next minute, she’s got a baby in her hands.
Speaking of movies, a woman’s water (amniotic fluid) rarely breaks before labor. It only happens in about 15% of women, and instead of the torrential wave of water that’s often portrayed in films, it’s usually more of an unimpressive leak. 75% of women will have their water broken during the active phase of labor.
Whatever happens, it looks like the wife is going to be in for the fight of her life. I'm rooting for you!
There are three basic stages to labor.
First stage: The first stage of labor occurs when the cervix (the narrow portion of the uterus that connects to the top of the vagina) dilates (opens) and effaces (thins out) to allow the baby down into the birth canal. The first stage of labor is divided into three phases: Early, Active, and Transition.
In the early phase, the woman will have irregular contractions, and the cervix will be dilated to 4 cm. (No need to break out the ruler for a measurement.) As the cervix begins to open, you will notice a thick, stringy, bloody discharge from the vagina. This is called a bloody show. No, this is not like a horror show on TV that you can watch while eating popcorn.
The early phase can last up to 14 hours or longer for some first-time moms. During this time, most women can carry on doing what they normally do. You don’t have to go to the hospital during the early phase.
In the active phase, contractions come at regular intervals and are stronger and closer together. You should be at the hospital or speeding your way there. Contractions tend to last 40 to 60 seconds and are spaced 3 to 5 minutes apart. Active labor can last up to 6 hours or longer. It is during this stage that an epidural (if needed) is used to decrease the pain.
The transition phase is one of the shortest parts of labor. However, it can last from several minutes to several hours. Contractions will last 60 to 90 seconds and come 2 to 3 minutes apart.
The transition phase is considered to be one of the hardest parts of labor and if she hasn't already started yet, the wife will soon begin cursing up a storm. If there’s one point during labor where the video camera should be recording, this is it. Nothing says "I love you" more than a big "F*** you!" At this point, the cervix will be dilated to 10 cm.
Second stage: This is the stage where the real pushing begins and the woman delivers the baby. It can take a few minutes or several hours. Breathing techniques are recommended to help ease the pain and keep the woman focused. Often times, women will poop during this stage because of the pushing that’s involved. (This could be an interesting photo-op, though I doubt the wife would approve.)
Third stage: The placenta is delivered in the third stage. This is the organ that connects the fetus to the uterine wall and regulates nutrition uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange. It's a nice surprise for dads that aren’t expecting anything to follow after the baby. While it looks alien in nature, do not think that you are having an alien baby. The placenta is typically delivered in 5-30 minutes.
If you add up all three stages, giving birth is a pretty drawn-out process. This isn’t the movies where one minute the woman is walking down the street, and the next minute, she’s got a baby in her hands.
Speaking of movies, a woman’s water (amniotic fluid) rarely breaks before labor. It only happens in about 15% of women, and instead of the torrential wave of water that’s often portrayed in films, it’s usually more of an unimpressive leak. 75% of women will have their water broken during the active phase of labor.
Whatever happens, it looks like the wife is going to be in for the fight of her life. I'm rooting for you!
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