Labor and Delivery

What to Expect
Throughout your pregnancy you may find that you have occasional "false labor" pains, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions. These are normal and not cause for concern. However, you can tell that real labor is happening when:

You have strong cramps that squeeze the uterus, making it tight and hard. These are called contractions.
The contractions are evenly spaced (for example, every 10 minutes). They are timed from the start of one contraction to the start of another.
They happen more than five times an hour and last for 30 to 70 seconds.
The contractions are worse when you move around.
The mucus plug, which seals the cervix, may come out.
The amniotic fluid sac (bag of waters) may break, causing a leaking or gush of fluid (contractions can start before the bag of water breaks).

Every Woman’s Experience is Different, but Labor has Three Stages:
While every individual has a different experience in labor and delivery, every woman has these stages in common:

The first stage: Begins with the onset of regular contractions and is complete when the cervix is fully dilated.
The second stage: Begins when the cervix is fully dilated and ends with the delivery of the baby.
The third stage: Extends from the birth of the baby until the birth of the placenta.

Labor for the Dad-To-Be:
The big day has finally come. Check the way to the hospital for any detours or delays. Keep the car’s gas tank full and be sure to have a back-up plan. At the hospital, be a part of the birth of your child by doing the following:

Support your partner no matter what she wants.
Encourage your partner by telling her you are there to support her and help her. Soon you both will have a beautiful baby to hold and love.
Tell her you are proud of her and she is doing great. She is probably a little scared about the labor process.
If your partner is bad-tempered with you during labor, don’t take it to heart; childbirth takes great effort and is painful.

This page last updated on 4/14/08.