Having a baby: Giving birth

Sometimes the stork goes on vacation and you need to get the baby here yourself. Here's what goes on during the birthing process. Don't worry if your husband doesn't read this, he probably be watching playing with the birthing room TV remote looking for a basketball or football game. It's up to you.

According to The March of Dimes:

What you need to know:

The beginning of labor feels different for every woman. You’ll know you’re in labor when you feel frequent and regular contractions, the only true sign that labor has begun. The length of labor varies for all women. The average labor lasts 12-14 hours for a first baby. Labor is often faster for second and later children.


What you can do:
Take a childbirth education class. These classes help prepare you for labor and delivery.

Call your health care provider when:

Your contractions are between 5 and 10 minutes apart.
Your water breaks, especially if the fluid is stained dark, greenish brown.
You experience vaginal bleeding.
You can no longer walk or talk during contractions.
You are concerned about your health or the health and well-being of the baby.
If you think you may be going into labor, don’t hesitate to call your health care provider, no matter what time of day or night.


Labor and Delivery: What to Expect

You'll know you're in labor when you feel frequent and regular contractions—the only true sign that labor has begun. These contractions cause the cervix to shorten and open (dilate) in preparation for delivery.

When Should You Call Your Health Care Provider?

Call when:
Your contractions are between 5 and 10 minutes apart.
Your water breaks, especially if the fluid is stained dark, greenish brown.
You experience vaginal bleeding.
You can no longer walk or talk during contractions.
You have concerns about your health or the health and well-being of the baby.
If you think you may be going into labor, don't hesitate to call your health care provider, no matter what time of day or night.

What Happens When You Arrive at the Hospital?
Although every hospital is different, when you arrive to have your baby, you will probably:

Fill out hospital admission paperwork, including insurance information (it's common for this to be done in advance through the health care provider)
Go to the labor and delivery unit
Change into a hospital gown, or your own nightgown or big shirt
Be examined to see how dilated your cervix is
Be connected to a fetal monitor to time the contractions and check the baby's heartbeat

What Are the Three Stages of Childbirth?

Stage 1
Labor. This stage begins when the pregnant woman has regular contractions that open (dilate) her cervix. This stage lasts until the cervix is fully opened to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches). This stage can occur gradually with no noticeable contractions over a period of days, but it can also happen in just a few hours with very clear contractions. Every labor is different.

Stage 2
Pushing and Delivery. This stage begins when the cervix is fully open and ends with the birth of the baby. The average length for this stage is one to two hours, but many women have shorter or longer experiences.

Stage 3
Delivery of the Placenta. This stage begins immediately after the birth of the baby and ends with the delivery of the placenta. This stage usually lasts between 10 minutes and one hour.
What Is Labor Pain Like?
Different women respond to the pain of labor and delivery in different ways. For some, contractions may seem like strong menstrual cramps. For others, the pain may be stronger and difficult to bear. For more information, go to Coping with Labor Pain.

What Can a Woman in Labor Do About the Pain?
Some women prefer to deal with the pain of childbirth naturally, using breathing and relaxation techniques. Childbirth education classes can help you learn these techniques. Most women, however, do get some form of pain relief through medication.