Second Stage of Labor

What is Second Stage of Labor

Labor is your body’s natural process of moving your baby and other structures, including the placenta and umbilical cord, out of your uterus. There are three stages of labor. How long each stage lasts is different for every woman. But certain events happen during each stage that are the same for everyone.

  • The first stage starts when true labor begins. This stage ends when your cervix, which is the opening from your uterus into your vagina, is completely open (dilated).
  • The second stage begins when your cervix is fully dilated and you start pushing. This stage ends when your baby is born.
  • The third stage is the delivery of the organ that nourished your baby during pregnancy (placenta).

The second stage of labor involves lots of pushing until your baby is delivered. This stage usually lasts from 20 minutes to 2 hours.

How does this affect me?

What happens in the second stage of labor?

  • You will have strong contractions. They may last 45–90 seconds and come every 2–5 minutes.
  • You may need to use your pain management strategies.
  • You will feel a strong urge to push. Try to push during the contractions and relax between contractions.
  • You can try to find a pushing position that works best for you. This may be lying back, squatting, kneeling, or sitting.
  • You may feel a lot of pressure in your rectum and feel like you need to have a bowel movement.
  • You may pass some stool or leak some urine.
  • You may feel mentally exhausted and emotional. Rely on your birth support people for support and encouragement.
  • Eventually, the top of your baby’s head will be visible (crowning). You may be able to see this in a mirror.
  • You may have a small tear in the tissues between your vagina and rectum (perineal tear) that occurs during labor and delivery. If this occurs, it will usually not be noticeable while you are pushing, and it will be repaired right after delivery.
  • If your baby is in a normal position, your birth care provider will help guide your baby out of your vagina.

What happens if this stage of labor is not progressing?

If your tissues do not stretch enough or if your baby is not making enough progress through the birth canal, certain procedures may be done to help deliver the baby.

  • Your birth care provider may cut the tissue between your vagina and rectum to widen the opening (episiotomy).
  • Your birth care provider may use a forceps or suctioning device to help pull your baby through the birth canal (assisted birth).
  • Your birth care provider may recommend a cesarean delivery, or C-section. This is the surgical delivery of a baby through an incision in the abdomen and the uterus.

How does this affect my baby?

  • As the baby moves through the birth canal, his or her head will mold to fit. Your baby may be born with a cone-shaped head that will look normal within 24 hours.
  • Moving through the birth canal helps to squeeze fluid out of your baby’s lungs. This fluid is present because of practice breathing movements that the baby made while in your uterus.
  • Your baby may have bruising or swelling on his or her face from passage through the birth canal.
  • In rare cases, more serious birth injuries may occur. Babies who are born with the assistance of forceps or a suctioning device may be at higher risk for an injury.

Summary

  • The second stage of labor starts when your cervix is completely dilated, and it ends when your baby is born.
  • The second stage involves lots of pushing until your baby is delivered. This stage usually lasts from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
  • You may need to use your pain management strategies.
  • During this stage, you will experience a strong urge to push, the crowning of your baby’s head, and the delivery of your baby.
  • If this stage is not progressing normally, you may need to have an episiotomy, an assisted delivery, or a cesarean delivery.
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