-
Contractions make the women dilate, or widen making it easier for her to give birth to the baby. The cervix becomes thinner, changing from its usual thickness of about 3/4 inch to become as thin as a sheet of paper.
-
The mothers cervix is still close which is its normal size and shape.
-
To cope with the demands of labor the women becomes more focused and needs support from her partner.
-
Mother can recieve pain medication to help her through labor.
-
Transition completes the work of the first stage. The cervix becomes fully dilated to a size of four inches and the baby's head slips out of the uterus into the birth canal.
-
Women begins to push by using her muscles of expel the baby.
-
The baby's head emerges changing the head shape to ease passage through the birth canal. It will then return to normal. After the head, the shoulders follow, then the rest of the baby slips out easily.
-
Crowning happens when the top of the head appears at the opening of the birth canal.
-
The mother gives birth to the placenta, no longer needed by the baby.
-
The mother can begin to bond with her child.
