1. Stages of Labor and Delivery
By: Grace Goodhart and Josh Quinn

2. Stage 1: Early Labor Cervix begins to dilate
Mild contractions (30 to 90 seconds)
Time is unpredictable
Average time is 6 to 12 hours
For comfort you should:
Take a shower
Listen to relaxing music
Change positions
Slow, deep breathing
Have a gentle massage

3. Cervical Effacement and Dilation

4. Stage 1: Active Labor Cervix is dilated to 10 cm
Contractions become longer, stronger, and closer together
Nauseous feeling
Water will break if it hasn’t already
Increasing back pressure
GO TO THE HOSPITAL, THE BABY IS COMING!!
It’s ok to ask for pain medication
Often lasts 8 hours
Look for encouragement

5. Stage 2: The Birth IT’S TIME!!! Lasts a few minutes or a few hours
Push!
Don’t hold any tension
Experiment with different positions
Stay Motivated!
After head is delivered, his/her airway will be cleared
The rest of the body will follow

6. Presentation
Delivery presentation describes the way the baby is positioned to come down the birth canal for delivery.
Cephalic (head-first) presentation is considered normal and occurs in about 97% of deliveries.
Breech presentation is considered abnormal and occurs about 3% of the time. A complete breech presentation occurs when the buttocks present first, and both the hips and knees are flexed
The shoulder, arm, or trunk may present first if the fetus is in a transverse lie. This type of presentation occurs less than 1% of the time. Transverse lie is more common with premature delivery or multiple pregnancies.

8. Stage 3: Delivery of Placenta
After the birth, you should feel relieved
Usually the baby is in your arms but there is still a lot going on
Placenta is still to be delivered
Typically takes about 5 minutes
May take 30 minutes