Process of labor Pre-Labor: Can occur one or two weeks before delivery, and continue on and off. Can vary from mild discomfort to strong contractions, but do not stay regular and go away after a while. It’s best to: increase your calcium/magnesium/iron/chlorophyll intake. Up your fluid intake to 3 liters a day. Eat two eggs every day. Up your carbohydrate intake (cereals, breads, bagels, pasta, potatoes, and rice). Also eat high-fiber foods (whole wheat, vegetables) to avoid constipation. Rest as much as possible, but also take regular short walks to avoid becoming sluggish. Do some light stretching every day. Spend time on your hands and knees to avoid back labor. Make sure you have all the baby items you’ll need. First stage: Latent/Early Phase of Labor: This is by far the longest, lasting up to 10 or 14 hours. During this phase the contractions are mild to moderate, progressing from irregular and far apart to every 5 to 10 minutes, lasting 30-45 seconds. It’s best to: continue to stay hydrated, drinking frequently; continue eating plenty of carbohydrates; rest as much as possible during this time. Do a massive grocery shopping (get diapers for baby, maxi-pads & witch hazel for you). Schedule a massage/pedicure/facial/haircut for the third or fourth week after the birth. Have a movie/dinner date with your partner. Spend time on your hands and knees to avoid back labor. First stage: Active Phase of Labor: Contractions are moderate to severe, often coming every 3 to 5 minutes apart and lasting up to 60 seconds. This phase can take anywhere from 3 to 7 hours or less. During this time it’s best to: try to empty your bladder at least every hour; relieve backache by spending a few contractions on your hands and knees; try to relax; change positions frequently (at least every 30 minutes), take a walk, shower and/or bath, and remember to keep hydrated (drink 5 to 12 ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes) and eating (30 to 60 grams of carbohydrates every hour). First stage: Transition Phase of Labor: The contractions are very close together, very strong, long, regular and intense; often associated with pain, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, uncontrollable shaking, despair, dependence, crying, sensitivity to touch, drowsiness, hiccups, burping, belching, cold feet, hot flashes and flushing of the face. The contractions average about 2 to 3 minutes apart and lasting 90-120 seconds. This phase takes anywhere up to 2 hours. This is the hardest and shortest part of labor. This is where it gets really intense. Many women will respond with phrases like "I can't do this." It’s best to: try to relax; change positions frequently; moan through each contraction; pee; take a shower or a bath; take it one contraction at a time; use the rest periods to relax; remember that you’re having a baby; remember that this is the shortest part of your labor; stay hydrated (take a drink after each contraction or every 15 minutes); keep the room warm, dark and quiet. Rest and Be Thankful Phase: You might experience anywhere from a few minutes to two or three hours of practically no contractions, and no strong urge to push. Usually this is occurring to allow your cervix to efface fully, allow rotation of the baby to a preferable position, molding of baby's head to better fit through the birth canal, and/or the uterus contracting to a smaller size to better push out the baby. Use this time to pee, rehydrate and rest. Second stage: Pushing Stage of Labor: Usually lasts up to 3 hours. The contractions will usually space out a bit, going back to as much as four minutes apart. It’s normal to see little bits of poop, since the woman bears down just like she would for a bowel movement. It’s best to: stay upright so you’re working with gravity not against it; squat or get on your hands and knees; do not hold your breath. Once the baby's head enters your vagina ("crowns"), you might feel "the rim of fire" - the head stretching your vaginal opening and your perineum. Give yourself a little time to stretch by coughing or blowing instead of pushing. This might keep you from tearing. Drink something sweet and hot to keep up your energy. Third stage: Placenta Delivery: Contractions are few and relatively mild. Nursing your baby will help the uterus to contract and expel the placenta. This can take from few minutes to an hour. Continue to keep hydrated. You might want to keep the cord intact and the placenta level with the baby until the cord stops pulsating (about 5 to 10 minutes) or until Wharton’s Jelly solidifies (about 2 hours). Placenta resembles raw liver on the side detached from the uterine wall; the side that used to be toward the baby is covered by the shiny bag of waters and large blood vessels radiating out from the cord. Recovery, physical healing, etc: During the time right after birth, you may experience trembling in your legs, pain as your uterus contracts, and swelling and discomfort in your perineum, anus and vagina. A warm blanket helps relieve trembling, and a couple of ice packs reduce discomfort and may help control swelling. The uterus continues to contract, shutting off the open blood vessels at the site of the placenta, preventing excessive blood loss, and sloughing off the extra lining that built up during the pregnancy. You will begin menstrual-like bleeding and may wish to wear a sanitary pad. Lying flat on your back, check your uterus to make sure that the top (fundus) remains firm by pressing several areas of your abdomen above your pubic bone. You should feel your uterus as firm as a grapefruit. If it is relaxed, try the following: with one hand slightly cupped, massage your lower abdomen firmly with small circular movements until you feel your uterus contract and become firm. It may be painful, but the uterus can bleed excessively if not firm. Nursing your baby or stroking your nipples will help your uterus contract. If you lose more than 2 cups of blood, you may be hemorrhaging and may feel symptoms of shock: rapid pulse, heavy breathing, pale skin, weakness, faintness, excessive thirst, trembling, cold, and sweating. Follow the above instructions to get your uterus to contract. Also, elevate the lower half of your body. Drink one quart of water containing one level teaspoon of salt and (if available) one-half teaspoon of baking soda. If liquid Chlorophyll is available, drink some to replenish the lost blood. Follow this up with some sweet, hot coffee or tea. Try to eat 50 to 100 grams of carbohydrate within 30 minutes after birth of the placenta. Example: 16 ounces (500 ml) of sports drink, 1 soft pretzel, 1 sports bar. Follow this up with about 50 grams of carbohydrate every 2 hours. The goal is to consume around 600 grams of carbohydrate within 24 hours. This should restore glycogen levels. Get a little protein right after, too, as research has shown that protein may speed glycogen rebuilding. Menstrual-like bleeding and crump-like contractions might continue for the next few weeks. During the first week after birth you will lose the extra fluid (as much as five pounds) accumulated during pregnancy by urinating large quantities and perspiring heavily. Your bowels and bladder may be “traumatized” by the birth. Extreme fatigue and soreness are common in the first few weeks. It takes about four to eight weeks following an uncomplicated vaginal birth for the mother's body to complete the initial stage of recovery from childbirth. It's best to: not lift anything heavier than your baby. Sleep when the baby sleeps. Get a lot of rest the first week - don't resume exercising yet and do as little as possible around the house. Drinking 2 to 3 liters of water a day will help your skin regain/maintain its elasticity. Also, if you are breastfeeding, consuming plenty of fluids will help you main your milk supply.