Things to consider during the resting phase
Most women, but not all, will experience a resting phase or 'lull' as they move from the end of the active 1
ststage of the labour (or transition) into the 2nd stage of their labour.
This is when the woman's cervix is fully dilated (about 10 cms), but her urge to push, or to 'bear down' is not yet felt. Some women experience mild contractions at this time, while for others the contractions fade away (or stop completely) for a short period.
This break in the labour usually happens as the uterus finally absorbs the entire cervix up into the lower segment and readjusts for a change in the contraction pattern. Your baby also slowly rotates their head as they prepare to move down the woman's vagina. The resting phase can be quite short, lasting as little as 5 to 7 minutes, or relatively long lasting up to 15 to 20 minutes or more.
The resting phase happens so that the baby can reposition, ready to descend, when the contractions recommence. Once your baby moves lower (reaching the pelvic floor muscles), pressure is applied stimulating the nerve receptors (called 'Ferguson's reflex'). These nerves send a message to the woman's body, triggering the spontaneous urge to push.
Pushing is hard physical work. The resting phase allows the woman time to rest and recover from the transitional phase of the 1
ststage and to gather her energy to help push her baby out. When the urge to push is felt, it is often accompanied with a fresh release of adrenaline, renewing the woman's energy for the task of birthing her baby.
Contractions during the resting phase may:
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Fade away completely, or |
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Remain present, but are mild, with longer rest periods between them, and no urge to push. |