Being pregnant means that you are excited and nervous at the same time, since you can't wait to meet your new born soon but you are also afraid of what you would feel or encounter on the process of bringing your baby to the outside world to meet everyone. Many would be mothers are afraid of the process of giving birth especially if it is their first one. It is vital then that you as a future mother should know more information about pregnancy to get yourself prepared and to know what to expect.
The first stage of giving birth is referred to as labor which is the longest part of the entire process. Labor can be broken down into three phases. The first one is called the early-labor phase which begins with the onset of labor and ends until the cervix has dilated to around 3 centimetres. The second one is called the active-labor phase which starts at the end of the early labor until your cervix has dilated to about 7 centimetres. The last phase of labor is called the transition phase which would have the cervix fully dilated at its end part.
During the early labor, you can relax and slowly prepare yourself that you would be getting to the hospital soon. This is not yet the time to get you rushed into the hospital contrary to what you usually see in the television or the movies. You can do some simple tasks at home or talk with your family or perhaps you can help your husband prepare the things you need to bring to the hospital. Of course you need to conserve energy and never lift anything heavy. You can eat a small snack and drink lots of water. Monitor your contractions during this time since it should last around 30 to 45 seconds and the occurrence should be between 5 to 30 minutes apart.
Once your water breaks and your contractions are getting longer and stronger as well as closer to one another, then you should now go to the hospital since you are already on the active labor phase. This is the time to use your breathing exercises as well as some relaxing exercises in between contractions. This phase usually last around 3 to 5 hours where your cervix would dilate from 4 to 7 centimetres. Keep drinking water during this phase and change your position often. Your contractions would be around 45 to 60 seconds with only 3 to 5 minutes of interval.
After some time, you will then proceed to the transition phase usually when the contractions would last around a minute to 90 seconds with only 30 seconds to 2 minutes of interval. Your cervix would be around 8 to 10 centimetres dilated. This is usually the shortest phase but the hardest. This is the time you need to tell your husband that you will be relying on him. If you feel the need to push inform your doctor about it. Don't be alarmed if you feel hot flashes, chills, nausea or gas during this time since it is normal.
Keep encouraging yourself every step of the way and think of your beautiful baby coming out of the world.
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