Pregnancy Tips Stockton CA

You've been pregnant for around 9 months and it's time to have your baby! You will go through labor and contractions will let you know that labor is starting. When your contractions are five minutes apart, that is when your body is ready to push the baby out.

Stages of Labor

During the first of labor your cervix slowly opens, or dilates, to about 4 inches wide. At the same time, it becomes thinner. This is called effacement. You shouldn't push until your uterus is fully effaced and dilated. When it is, the baby delivery stage starts. Crowning is when your baby's scalp comes into view. Shortly afterward, your baby is born. The placenta that nourished the baby follows.

You and your baby are monitored closely during labor. Most women are healthy enough to have a baby through normal vaginal delivery, meaning that the baby comes down the birth canal without complications. If there are complications, the baby may need to be delivered surgically by a Cesarean section.

Once you reach the third trimester, you should talk to your doctor or midwife about labor and delivery. Learn what options are available to you for pain relief.

When you start your last month of pregnancy, you and your mate should visit the hospital or birthing center. Make sure you know how to get there, where to park and where to check-in. You should also be able to pre-register so that your insurance information is already in the computer when you arrive and you don't have to stop while you're having contractions to fill out paperwork.

Signs of Labor

Most women, especially with their first babies, will have false labor pains. If you think that you have started labor, call your doctor or midwife, they can decide if it's time to go to the hospital or not.

Call your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Contractions come at regular and increasingly shorter intervals. Contractions should also become stronger over time.

• You have lower back pain that doesn't go away. You might also feel premenstrual and crampy.

• Your water breaks - this can be a large gush, a small amount, or a continuous trickle.

• You have a bloody (brownish or red-tinged) mucous discharge. This is probably the mucous plug that blocks the cervix.

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