Stages of childbirth

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Each birth proceeds at its own pace. Childbirth is divided into three phases: the first stage of labour, i.e. dilation; the second stage of labour, i.e. pushing; and the third stage of labour, i.e. the placental stage.

Dilation

During the dilation phase of labour, the cervix shortens and opens. At this stage, you will usually feel contractions regularly every 10 minutes or less. The stage lasts several hours, and especially for first-timers, dilation can last more than 10 hours.

If the cervix seems to open slowly and the birth is prolonged, you might become worried. However, there is much more going on during childbirth than just the opening of the cervix. A lot of progress may have occurred, even if the midwife tells you that dilation is happening slowly.

You can ask your midwife about other signs of progress during labour. These include your cervix turning forward and becoming softer and shorter, and your baby turning and settling lower in your pelvis.

Childbirth does not always progress in a linear way. At first, it may take hours for the cervix to dilate by even a centimetre, but later it can dilate several centimetres in an hour.

Childbirth helpline

When you go into labour, call the childbirth helpline. The midwife who answers the phone will assess your situation and direct you to the appropriate hospital. Read more on the ‘Labor’ pages of HUS (Link leads to external service)

Call +358 (0)9 471 71500

Pushing

When the cervical opening is fully dilated and the baby has lowered to the correct position in the birth canal, the pushing phase begins. Its duration varies from a few minutes to a couple of hours.

You can usually push in the position that feels best to you. Many people push, for example, in a semi-sitting position, kneeling on all fours or lying on their side. Sometimes your midwife or doctor may need to guide you into a better position for the progress of the birth or the baby's well-being.

Delivering the placenta

After the baby is born, you will be able to hold the baby in your arms for skin-to-skin contact if you and your baby are healthy. The umbilical cord is also cut fairly soon after birth. While you hold your baby against your skin, you and the midwife wait for the placenta to be delivered. You will be given a uterotonic agent i.e. medication that stimulates uterine contractions.

Once the placenta is detached, the midwife will stitch any tears and monitor your and your baby's condition. If you both feel well, you will be able to go to the maternity ward together in a couple of hours.