The 2nd stage of labour begins when the woman's cervix is fully open and your baby's head (known as the 'presenting part') moves down out of the uterus and into the vagina (or birth canal), ending with the birth of your baby. However, the 2nd stage can be made up of four different phases, with their own individual characteristics. Your knowledge of these phases can provide you with a general guide as to what might be expected and how best to work with them.
Understanding the probable physical progression throughout the 2nd stage of the labour can assist you, your partner or support person to recognise the physical signs and gain an awareness of some support strategies that may be appropriate at different times. This awareness may help to assist you with implementing some coping strategies and to incorporate various practical tools (such as positions and pain relieving interventions) during the various phases.
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).
The 4 different phases of 2nd stage can be:
The resting phase
The active pushing phase
The crowning phase
The birthing phase