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Second stage

What happens

• Contractions during this stage may be several minutes apart. The cervix is fully dilated and the baby moves down the vagina. The pressure of baby’s head on the bowel may feel like a huge bowel movement. There is a strong bearing down urge, and a great sense of bulging and stretching. Soon his / her head can be seen.

• In some rare instances, this bearing down urge may be absent, you can try squatting to encourage this urge to come, but I usually advise to conserve your energy at this point, in a normal labour. The uterus will push the baby down anyway and you will feel an urge at some point!

Helping yourself

• Go with the contractions, and remember to keep your pelvic floor relaxed.

• Don’t try to push after the contraction has gone - enjoy the rest!

• The Midwife will guide you during the delivery. When asked not to push, lift your head and pant gently, with mouth, pelvic floor, and legs all relaxed.

• You may wish to try hot flannels on your perineum - they feel great!

Relaxation / positions

• Try to be aware of how the waves of pushing during contractions happen naturally, with your breathing adapting accordingly. If your mouth is relaxed, your vagina will be too. You may find yourself holding your breath for short periods whilst you push or you may find that blowing out steadily can be helpful.

• Let gravity help you by staying as upright as you can. Kneeling with knees wide apart is good too, as is supported squatting during contractions. Of you wish to recline when pushing then resist the urge to push into your feet by leaving them unsupported and relaxed.  If all is going well, then the uterus can do most of the work on its own. This is more likely if you are upright.

Partner’s help / needs

• Do all you can to help her keep in a good position for pushing. Encourage her. Give her progress reports as you see baby’s head or hold a mirror to show her how well she is pushing.

• Repeat any instructions from the Midwife - your partner is ‘tuned in’ to your voice better at this stage.

Birth

What happens

Just as the baby’s head slides out into the world, there may be a numb feeling or a tingly burning sensation and a feeling of incredible pressure.

Helping yourself

Perhaps reach down and touch your baby’s head and then possibly lift him / her up towards you and welcome baby with a reassuring cuddle. The world will seem a noisy, cold and bright place after the warmth and closeness of the uterus.

Relaxation / positions

• Breathe out! It is nearly all over!

• Just enjoy the awesome feeling of giving birth to your own baby!

The third stage

What happens

• As the baby is born you may have chosen to have an injection which helps to expel the placenta. The use of this injection is always discussed antenatally with the Midwife. The placenta is expelled following contraction of the uterus. Sometimes with very heavy bleeding the midwife will administer the injection anyway. She will always explain why.

• If you are having a natural third stage you will encouraged to remain in an upright position. If you can put the baby to the breast once baby is breathing regularly the placenta is expelled quicker.

• Any stitches that are required will usually be done following the delivery of the placenta.

• Every one has a cuppa and something to eat. You shower and are made comfortable for feeding baby (if it hasn’t already happened).

Helping yourself

• If the Midwife asks, push or cough to help deliver the placenta.

• Enjoy a peaceful time together. Baby will usually be quietly alert following delivery, so welcome him / her!

Relaxation / positions

• It is best to sit out of bed (if you were on the bed) in an armchair to breast feed. The midwife will help you to latch baby on correctly. It is important that you are comfortable and your back and arms are well supported.

• Stroke baby’s cheek with your nipple and as baby opens his / her mouth wide let baby take as much of your breast into it’s mouth as possible. Ensure that baby breast feeds not ‘nipple chews’!

Partner’s help

• You may like to hold your baby while the placenta is delivered and Mum made comfortable.

• Take some photographs or video of your new baby and your awesome partner.

Congratulations!