Deep Breath: Here's Exactly What Happens When You Give Birth
Ever wondered exactly what happens during birth? If all you've seen are terrifying on-screen depictions of women writhing in agony under strip lighting, then you'd be forgiven for saying 'no thank you' to learning more about the process.
But, forewarned is forearmed. So, if you think you may be game for living la vida baby at some point, read on to find out the deets of the process, from obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Shazia Malik of The Portland Hospital, London (where little Archie Mountbatten-Windsor arrived on planet Earth.)
‘There are three stages of labour,’ says Dr Malik.
Let's dig into them.
(Side note: this refers to vaginal births, specifically. If you have a C-section, it will look different.)
What Happens During Birth: A Gynaecologist Explains
What happens in the first stage of labour?
‘During the latent phase, the cervix opens up; the second phase, known as active labour, involves pushing the baby out; and the third is the delivery of the placenta.’
How long you spend in each phase depends on many factors, such as whether it’s your first baby (subsequent births tend to be quicker) and whether you have an epidural (which can slow labour down).
What happens in the second stage of labour?
Contracting: nope, not striking a legally binding deal with your partner
re: bin duties, but the movement of the uterine muscles – which also wreak havoc during your period.
‘It’s the force of the uterine muscles contracting that makes the cervix – the neck
of the uterus – thin and causes it to dilate,’ says Dr Malik. When the cervix is fully dilated (10cm), it’s time to push, or ‘engage your abdominal muscles, which help the uterine muscles push the baby out’.
The transition into phase two – when the contractions are at their most intense – is thought to be the most painful. It’s called labour for a reason.
What happens in the second stage of labour?
This is one urban legend with legs. ‘Pushing is effectively like having a poo,’ confirms Dr Malik. ‘So, if you’ve got stool in your rectum and you’re straining, then the stool will also be pushed out.’
But while shit can, indeed, happen, vomiting is common, too, both as a pain response and because of the toll of childbirth on your digestive system. Forewarned is forearmed.
What happens during crowning?
‘Crowning’ might sound regal, but don’t let that fool you. At this stage of labour, some degree of tearing between the vagina and anus occurs in 53% to 79% of vaginal deliveries.
‘You can lessen the risk by doing perineal massage from 34 weeks,’ says Dr Malik. ‘Use your thumb and finger to massage a little olive oil into the area between your anus and vulva. This will help it to stretch when the time comes.’
What happens after giving birth?
Hormones: they’re the puppet masters of getting the baby out. ‘Oxytocin is the main one involved during contracting and delivery,’ adds Dr Malik.
It’s the feel-good hormone and it also encourages bonding, which explains the overwhelming tug of love you feel for that small slimy creature in your arms.
Now that you know what happens during birth, find out how to harness the power of your menstrual cycle hormones.
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