The first stage starts with the onset of uterine contractions that open up the cervix or the mouth of the uterus to about 10 cms. Generally this lasts for 8-14 hours. Pain usually deepens towards the end when the contractions become frequent and stronger. This time your cervix is 4-5 cms open.
The second stage your cervix is fully dilated and is completed with the birth of the baby. This stage lasts for 1-2 hours for the first baby.
The third stage starts immediately after the birth of the baby and concludes with the delivery of the placenta. It takes 15 mts to one hour. The delivery of the placenta is accompanied with some amount of bleeding. The episiotomy is stitched immediately afterwards.
Lightening
The process of your baby
relaxing or lowering into your pelvis just before labor is called lightening. Lightening can occur a few weeks or a few hours before labor. Because the uterus rests on the bladder more after lightening, you may feel the need to urinate more frequently.
