Stages of your Birthing Time: Second Stage (Part 2)

Stage 2: The birth of your baby

Second stage begins when your cerviz is fully open and ends when your baby is born. After full dilation, your baby's head presses down farther in your pelvis creating the urge to push, your pressure waves become farther apart and feel much different.

How long it lasts: It can take from a few minutes up to several hours or more to push your baby into the world. It often takes longer for first-time moms and women who've had an epidural.

What you can do: Push! You may be encouraged to push with each contraction to speed the process. Or you might take it more slowly, letting nature do the work until you feel the urge to push.

Your baby turns as he/she descends, moving down through your cervix into your birth canal. Your uterus, cervix, and birth canal become one long tube for the "pushing" phase, and your baby makes a 45 degree turn around the pubic bone to get out. It's really wonderful to note that your baby's head molds to the shape of your birth canal, making its head temporarily smaller, and the pelvic ligaments and cartilage actually move, separating as your baby moves down farther to make it easier for him/her to get out. I really do believe that childbirth is a joint process with you and your baby. The fact that they have to make 7 different movements before they come into the world shows that they are working with you as you a birthing them.

Many women choose to push while lying in a birthing bed. Squatting or sitting works well for others. Some women prefer to get on their hands and knees or kneel while a labor coach supports their upper body. Try different positions until you find one that feels best. When you push, don't hold tension in your face. Bear down and concentrate on pushing where it counts.

At some point, you may be asked to push more gently — or not at all. Slowing down gives your vaginal area time to stretch rather than tear. To stay motivated, you may be able to feel the baby's head between your legs or see it in a mirror.

After your baby's head is delivered, his or her airway will be cleared and your health care provider will make sure the umbilical cord is free. The rest of your baby's body will follow shortly.