The 2nd stage of labour begins when the woman's cervix is fully open (or 10 centimetres dilated) and your baby's head (known as the 'presenting part') moves down out of the uterus and into the vagina (or birth canal). The 2nd stage ends with the birth of your baby.
Image 6-03 shows how the woman's cervix is now completely open (and out of the way) for the baby's journey down through the woman's pelvis and her vagina (or birth canal).
Some physical signs that can happen for the woman at various times during the 2nd stage of her labour can include:
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Water's breaking. |
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Blood stained mucous 'show'. |
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Dilation of the anus. |
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The perineum stretching. |
The woman's breathing may change and she may make groaning and grunting sounds as she pushes. It can take the woman a while to adjust and shift from the breathing pattern she was using in 1st stage of her labour, to the 'bearing down' grunting, groaning and pushing of the 2nd stage of labour. Many women feel uncertain at this time, and wonder if they are doing it 'right'. You can read more on breathing techniques in
natural therapies and other methods for pain relief.
The 2nd stage can be made up of 4 phases, each with their own individual physical signs or characteristics. Some are very typical for that specific phase, others may not occur at all. Your knowledge of these phases can provide you with a general guide as to what might be expected, and how you can best to work with them and to incorporate various support strategies.
The 4 Different phases of 2nd stage can be the:
Resting phase
Active pushing phase
Crowning phase
Birth phase