Early labour how long can it last

At some point, you might be asked to push more gently — or not at all. Slowing down gives your vaginal tissues time to stretch rather than tear. To stay motivated, you might ask to feel the baby's head between your legs or see it in a mirror. After your baby's head is delivered, the rest of the baby's body will follow shortly.

His or her airway will be cleared if necessary. Your health care provider or labor coach will then cut the umbilical cord. After your baby is born, you'll likely feel a great sense of relief. You might hold the baby in your arms or on your abdomen. Cherish the moment. But a lot is still happening. During the third stage of labor, you will deliver the placenta.

How long it lasts: The placenta is typically delivered in five to 30 minutes, but the process can last as long as an hour. What you can do: Relax! By now your focus has likely shifted to your baby.

You might be oblivious to what's going on around you. If you'd like, try breast-feeding your baby. You'll continue to have mild contractions. They'll be close together and less painful. You'll be asked to push one more time to deliver the placenta. You might be given medication before or after the placenta is delivered to encourage uterine contractions and minimize bleeding. Your health care provider will examine the placenta to make sure it's intact.

Any remaining fragments must be removed from the uterus to prevent bleeding and infection. If you're interested, ask to see the placenta.

After you deliver the placenta, your uterus will continue to contract to help it return to its normal size. Your health care provider will also determine whether you need stitches or repair of any tears of your vaginal region. If you don't have anesthesia, you'll receive an injection of local anesthetic in the area to be stitched. Savor this special time with your baby. Your preparation, pain and effort have paid off. Revel in the miracle of birth. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Labor and delivery, postpartum care. NHS Choices. Cochrance Database Syst Rev. When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust.

All of our articles have been thoroughly researched and are based on the latest evidence from reputable and robust sources. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities.

Read more about our editorial review process. First stage of labour: signs, coping and when to go to hospital. Read time 5 minutes. Email Post Tweet Post. What do contractions feel like? Some ways you might describe the feeling are: discomfort or a dull ache in your back or lower stomach pressure in the pelvis stomach becoming hard, then soft again wave-like motion from the top of the uterus to the bottom similar to period pain. Show references.

Information you can trust from NCT When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust. It may last up to 2 to 3 days. Contractions are mild to moderate and shorter about 30 to 45 seconds. You can usually keep talking during them. Contractions may also be irregular, about 5 to 20 minutes apart.

They may even stop for a while. Keep track of how often you're having contractions and how long each contraction lasts. The frequency of contractions is the time from the beginning of 1 contraction until the beginning of the next contraction. How long the contraction lasts is the duration. It helps to stay as relaxed as you can during this time. You can spend some or all of your early labour at home or anywhere else you may be comfortable.

If you live far from the hospital or birthing centre, you may want to think about going somewhere nearby so you can get back to the hospital quickly. For some women, there may be benefits to staying home during early labour, such as avoiding medicines or procedures. As labour progresses, you'll shift from early labour to active labour.

During this time, contractions get more intense. They occur more often, about every 2 to 3 minutes. They also last longer, about 50 to 70 seconds. You will feel them even when you change positions and walk or move around.

It may be hard to tell if you are in active labour. If you aren't sure, call your doctor, midwife, or nurse call line. As your labour progresses, check in with your doctor or midwife about when to come back to the hospital or birthing centre. You may have special instructions if your water broke or you tested positive for group B strep.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Call anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:. Call your doctor or midwife now or go to your birthing centre now if:. Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor, midwife, or nurse call line if you have any problems.