What are the stages of normal birth? | Childbirth

Waiting for childbirth is a time surrounded by anxiety and doubts, especially when women are expecting a natural birth. When awaiting the arrival of their baby, mothers are often apprehensive about what will actually happen before and during the big day.

However, there is no reason to panic! To demystify this process, which is so natural, the TO GROW spoke to experts who explained what to expect at each stage of labor until the baby is born. Check out!

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Before understanding the phases of natural birth, it is important to remember that this method of birth occurs when the baby is born through the vagina, in a non-surgical way. In this case, the mother’s recovery is usually faster than after a cesarean section.

Normal birth can be divided into six phases: prodromes, latent phase, active phase, transition, expulsion period and delivery of the placenta. But these steps are not always so well defined. Ana Cristina Duarte, director and owner of the CRIA birth center and medical coordinator of Coletivo Nascer, in São Paulo, explains that there is no correct duration for any of the phases and, as long as mother and baby are well, there is no problem if the time is greater or less than expected for each one. “The most important thing is monitoring the pregnant woman, to guarantee maternal and fetal well-being”, she adds.

Although there is no set rule, women should observe the signs of each of these phases. “If everything is fine with the mother and the baby during the birth, we don’t need to have a ‘clock’ in our head to tell us how labor should progress. We can let nature take its course and intervene only when necessary”, argues obstetrician Larissa de Freitas Flosi.

The experts also highlighted that dilation is a consequence of a well-assisted labor and also of a baby positioned appropriately for birth. “We know that the baby’s position in the birth canal is much more important to take into consideration than anything else”, stated Ana Cristina. “It is important so that the woman does not despair thinking that there is something out of the normal, but , in addition to preparation, it is essential to be accompanied by a team that acts in accordance with the evidence and does not rush due to arbitrarily pre-determined time limits”, adds Ana.

The phases of labor

Prodromes: Prodromes are like a harbinger of labor, a “dress rehearsal” and can last from a few hours to weeks. During this period, the cervix is ​​prepared for the start of labor. “This phase may not even exist. The patient will not necessarily go through the prodromes”, explained the obstetrician. Most of the time, the woman has some contractions and feels a little pain, but without a defined rhythm.

Latent phase: This period marks the beginning of dilation. “Basically, the latent phase is classified as the first three centimeters of dilation and can also take from a few hours to a few days,” explained Larissa. Here, the woman usually has contractions, but the time between them is well spaced.

Active phase: at this stage, the baby effectively dilates and descends into the pelvis. “It starts from 4 to 6 centimeters of dilation. The woman is already having rhythmic contractions, lasting at least 40 seconds each one”, explained the obstetrician. Generally, at this point the water rupture also occurs. “The patient tends to be quieter and it is a time when she connects more with her own body. Therefore, pain management measures such as massage and aromatherapy are welcome,” she added.

Transition: is the period between the end of complete dilation and the beginning of the expulsive period. At this stage, the patient may end up vomiting. “Usually, vomiting occurs when the baby is passing through the narrowest channel in the pelvis, because this creates pain and discomfort for the patient”, pointed out the obstetrician.

Expulsion period: occurs when dilation is complete and the baby is about to be born. “If it is the woman’s first birth, the estimated time is 3 hours. But, if it is the second birth or more, the approximate period is 2 hours or less”, explained the obstetrician.

Discharge: delivery of the placenta, which generally lasts up to an hour.