DEFINITION

Labour is the time and processes that occur during the birth of a child, from the beginning of cervical dilatation to the delivery of the after-birth (placenta).

DESCRIPTION

Labour is an extremely individual process and is rarely the same from one woman to the next. Many factors can influence the course of Labour, such as how many previous births the mother has had, her general level of fitness and energy, the size and health of the baby and whether or not complications develop. A normal, uncomplicated Labour consists of three stages and generally occurs as follows:
Stage One lasts from the onset of labour until the cervix (the opening between the uterus and vagina) is fully dilated (opened) to 10 cm. The first sign of Labour is when the plug that has been sealing up the cervix is released. The woman passes a small amount of blood and mucus through the vagina, called a "show". This may happen anywhere from several days to a few hours before labour begins. The membranes surrounding the baby break and the amniotic fluid is released through the vagina. This is what is known as "your waters breaking". Some women may find their waters break before contractions begin, while others may not break at all and require artificial rupture by the Doctor. Contractions are usually mild at first and may be up to 20 minutes apart. They will become more intense as labour progresses. Your Midwife or Doctor will let you know what time to go to hospital. In first pregnancies Stage One may take up to 14 hours, while in later pregnancies it usually takes about 6-8 hours. Stage One can be a painful and exhausting process. See the Childbirth - Pain management topic for information about coping with Labour pain.
Stage Two is the time from full cervical dilation to delivery of the baby. It lasts about two hours in first-time mothers and one hour in subsequent deliveries. The mother is required to push down during uterine contractions to help move the baby through the birth canal. An episiotomy (a small cut in the vagina) may be given to make it easier for the baby to pass through and reduce the risk of tearing. Forceps or vacuum extraction may help if the mother is having difficulty pushing. After delivery the Midwife or Doctor will clamp the umbilical cord and quickly examine the baby to make sure their breathing and heart rate are normal. In many cases the mother will be able to hold and feed her baby straight away.
Stage Three is the time from delivery of the baby until the placenta (after birth) and umbilical cord is delivered. The uterus will continue to contract for a few minutes and the placenta is expelled or may be manually removed from the uterus. An episiotomy or any small cuts or tears in the vagina will be repaired. The mother should be closely observed for several hours to check for bleeding, high blood pressure and general well being.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

In no way is this information intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner. Always consult your Doctor for diagnosis and advice.
Labour places a woman's body under a great deal of stress. For this reason it is important to maintain a good level of general health and fitness throughout the course of the pregnancy in anticipation of this event. A healthy diet will provide the nutrients needed to strengthen the tissues of the body and aid in recuperation after the birth of the baby. Many of the common problems associated with pregnancy can be minimised with appropriate lifestyle habits and modification. Ask your Doctor or Midwife for advice.
Many women find the pain of childbirth unbearable and choose to have their pain relieved by their Doctor during Labour. This is a personal choice and depends very much on the individual woman. See the Childbirth - Pain management topic on the Healthpoint for more information.

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