Experts at Jilin Guojian Maternity Hospital note that the duration of natural childbirth varies significantly from person to person and cannot be generalized. Factors such as whether it is a first or subsequent birth, fetal size, maternal age, and labor strength all influence delivery time, making it difficult to predict the exact duration for an individual. However, natural childbirth generally progresses through three stages.
1. First Stage: From the onset of labor pains to full cervical dilation. For primiparas, cervical dilation progresses slowly due to a tighter cervix, typically taking 11-12 hours. Multiparas experience faster dilation as their cervix is more relaxed, usually requiring 6-8 hours.This is often the longest and most challenging phase of labor. During contractions, the mother experiences lower abdominal pain. The tighter and more frequent the contractions, the faster the cervix dilates. It's crucial for the mother to remain calm during this stage, avoiding shouting or unnecessary exertion that could lead to exhaustion and hinder cooperation later on.
2. Second Stage: Fetal Delivery. This phase typically lasts 1–2 hours. Once the cervix is fully dilated, the fetal delivery stage begins—you're about to meet your baby. As uterine contractions intensify and the cervix fully opens, the fetal head descends into the pelvis. Progressing contractions force the baby out of the mother's body.
3. Third Stage: Placental Delivery. This stage lasts approximately 5 to 15 minutes. After the baby is successfully delivered, uterine contractions pause briefly before resuming. The placenta detaches from the uterine wall due to these contractions and moves toward the cervical opening. With the mother pushing again, the placenta is expelled. Following delivery, the doctor will clean and dress the mother. If there are perineal tears, local suturing will be performed.
Additionally, after the baby is delivered, the midwife will process the umbilical cord, measure the newborn's length and head circumference, weigh the infant, and record the mother's thumbprint and the newborn's footprint on the medical record.After delivery, the mother remains in the delivery room for two hours of observation to monitor for bleeding. The uterus is manually compressed every half hour to promote contraction and assess bleeding. The baby is placed in skin-to-skin contact with the mother for at least half an hour to encourage nipple sucking. Only then is the mother discharged from the delivery room to rest in her ward.
Reminder: Once labor begins, expectant mothers should actively manage their emotions and breathing to avoid tension, facilitating a natural delivery. Psychological factors are the fourth major contributor to difficult labor. Prolonged anxiety, restlessness, or fear can lead to weak contractions and fetal distress.