As you enter labor you will end a nine month journey with the birth of your new baby. Soon you will begin a another journey by raising a family and with it will come many new rewards and challenges. But first you will go through labor and delivery.
There are three commonly accepted stages of labor. In the first the cervix dilates until it is big enough for your baby to pass through the birth canal. Then your baby itself will be born. And finally during stage three the placenta will be delivered.
Your birthpartner can be invaluable while you are in labor. A supportive birthpartner can get help, coach you through your breathing patterns, suggest pain relief methods and provide comfort during the difficult hours you will face. Many women have their partners coach them during labor and delivery, but you can also choose to have a professional labor attendant (PLA) or doula help you through labor and delivery. The experience that a doula can bring is often helpful and comforting during this anxious yet exciting time in your pregnancy.
There's no denying it! Labor and delivery is painful. But there are many ways that your pain can be reduced. You may find that different positions can help reduce the pain you are feeling. Breathing patterns can also help, or if necessary you may want to try taking drugs.
We all hope that our labor will be quick and painless. And often it is. But the reason we frequently choose to give birth in a hospital is so that we can prepare for any eventuality. These may include having your baby induced, premature labor, various complications or having a cesarean section.
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