Question 1
The first stage starts when one begins experiencing contractions that result in progressive transformations in the cervix and culminates in the complete opening of the cervix. During this stage, the cervix usually widens to about 10 centimeters. This first stage of labor usually has three phases:
Early Labor - Here the cervix slowly thins out and opens, and it ends when the cervix is about 4 to 6 cm dilated, and the growth begins to accelerate.
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Active Labor - The cervix starts to stretch more rapidly. At this stage, the contractions become longer, stronger and their intervals decrease further. This final stage of the active labor is also known as a transition.
Second Stage -This is the most hurting stage of labor for most women. It starts when the dilation of the crevices is at the maximum and end with the delivery of the baby.
The third stage -This stage starts immediately after the delivery of the baby and ends after the mother delivers the placenta.
Question 2
Normally there are two types of epidurals. There is this one of low-dose infusion epidural also known as ‘walking epidural’ by some women. The moment one has been put in one can still move around but not really very far. For instance, you can move to the toilets or around the delivery room. The other one is the spinal anesthetic is usually delivered in one shot and is mainly used for planned surgery. It providers a continuous pain reprieve to the lower body while allowing one to stay entirely conscious. One can get itchy with an epidural though it is treatable with naloxone. Although in very rare situations, a severe drop in a mother’s blood pressure sometimes reduces blood flow to the baby, which can result in drop in the infant’s heart rate drop but can be treated with IV fluids.
Question 3
The body starts preparations for labor a month before birth, and one begins to see early signs like the baby rests lower in the pelvis, more Braxton Hicks contractions, the cervix starts to change and passing mucus plug. As a first-time mother active labor pain might take an average of about eight hours though it might still be much shorter or longer, once the cervix has dilated to 10cm, then it can take an hour or two of pushing before the baby is born.