MODULE 7

When your cervix has opened to 10cm, it is fully dilated and large enough for the baby to pass through. The second stage, which takes between 2 to 3 hours ends with the delivery.

This is what happens during delivery.

During the nine months of your pregnancy, your baby has been growing in your uterus. The uterus is a pocket made of very strong muscles which stretch as your baby grows. The neck of the uterus, called the cervix, opens into the vagina. During your pregnancy the cervix is thick and is closed with a mucous plug.

During labour, the muscles of the uterus tighten and relax to open up the cervix and help the baby move out of the uterus. This tightening is called a contraction

Labour is divided into three stages. By learning about and practicing breathing, relaxation, and other comfort measures, you can prepare yourself for all stages of labour.

The cervix thins out (effaces) and opens up (dilates). During the first stage of labour, which lasts between 12 and 18 hours, your cervix gradually dilates from 1 to 10 cm and becomes 100% effaced.

The following animation allows you to visualize the dilatation of the cervix.

Labour and birth are hard work and require a lot of energy, will, and effort. There are two keys to comfort during pregnancy. The first is understanding and working with the labour process. The second is learning and practicing as many comfort measures as possible.

You never know what will feel good during labour, so it's a good idea to have different things to try.

The first step in planning for your baby's birth is to find out what choices and options are available in your community. Talk with your health care provider and your prenatal educator. The services of a doula or midwife are available in certain areas. 

You may want to write your birthing plan. The birthing plan is a document written for your health care provider and the nursing personnel at the hospital. It indicates the type of delivery you want as well as the care you wish for you and your baby.

The following example of a birthing plan will help you write yours. If certain elements don't seem important, omit them. Do not hesitate to add elements that are important to you but are not included in the example.

Although each future mother hopes for an easy delivery without complications, it may not happen the way you had planned. In some situations you may need to be flexible with your birth plan to ensure the health of you and your baby.

Learning about childbirth will help you to make plans for your baby's birth. Most hospitals want to meet the needs of families. You can learn about this care as well as other choices by asking questions.

If you would like to have a particular kind of care and you're not sure it is available, talk it over with your prenatal educator or your health care provider. When the time comes, it will be easier to make the right choices if you know your options.

Although childbirth is a natural event, many women feel some worry along with the excitement.

One way to deal with these feelings is to learn as much as you can about childbirth. Knowing what to expect will help you feel more confident. Inquire about childbirth and talk about your worries to the important people in your life.