Hard labour

These contractions feel completely different, and most women find they have an overwhelming urge to help the uterus by pushing or bearing down at the same time as the contraction.

How long does this take?
Only an hour or so. If your baby hasn’t been born after an hour’s pushing, your midwife will call an obstetrician, who may recommend an assisted delivery.

What you’re supposed to do

If the muscles around the vaginal opening can’t stretch quite enough, they may tear slightly at the baby’s head bears down. This is normal and occurs in about three-quarters of births. In order to stop severe tearing, the midwife or obstetrician can make a small cut to the side of the vaginal opening, widening it to allow the baby’s head to pass through. This is called an episiotomy.

As your baby’s head emerges, the midwife will ask you to pant. This is so she can check that the cord isn’t round her neck. If it is (and this is quite common) the midwife will loop the cord over the baby’s head to free it. Then one final push and you’re there – or rather your baby is.

How painful is this bit?

For most women it’s the hard work, rather than the pain, which is the problem. (Some women have said this is an orgasmic experience, but I’ve yet to meet them.) If you have the remains of an epidural working, you won’t feel any pain. And the good news is that the end’s in sight and you’ll see your baby.

3rd stage

>What’s happening?

How long does this take? A few minutes.

What are you supposed to do? Hardly anything – you will probably be holding your baby by this time.

Pain? As far as the mother is concerned, this is a non-event.

>Anything else? Yes, most women will need a few stitches to repair any tears to the vaginal opening.