How is labor going?
When you take your partner to the hospital and hand her over to the doctors, your only job will be to support her and wait. But, what is actually happening to her at this time?
The cervix opens
A woman usually comes to the hospital when her waters have already broken (although not always), and contractions become frequent and painful. All of which means that the active phase of labor has begun. At this time, the cervix can be dilated by up to 6 centimeters. Birth happens when the cervix is 10 centimeters dilated [1].
Time to push
Once the cervix is fully dilated, contractions will reach their highest point and will help move the baby through the birth canal. Contractions come on their own, but your partner will be instructed to catch their rhythm and help them along by pushing. The length of the pushing phase can be different for each woman. Usually, one final, steady push is needed for the baby’s head to crown and subsequent pushes will help deliver the rest of the body. Once they clear the baby’s air passages, the nurse, midwife, or doctor will usually place the newborn on the mother’s chest [2], before or after clamping and cutting the umbilical cord. Many hospitals allow the father to cut the umbilical cord.
The placenta is delivered
After a few minutes, a series of weaker contractions will help deliver the placenta. It can take anywhere from five to thirty minutes and the medical team will check that it is intact and that no trace has remained in the uterus [1].
