The second stage of labor begins when your baby descends well into your pelvis and the cervix is fully dilated. The baby can now descend into the vagina to be born into the world.
Pushing
When the cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm, sensations change, and you may feel the urge to push. Contractions become an internal force, and all your energy is focused on pushing to help your baby be born.
The urge to push may come before the cervix is fully dilated. Healthcare professionals can guide you on the appropriate time to start pushing, so your efforts are more effective.
The time between contractions allows you to recover between pushes.
Sometimes stool is passed during this stage. It’s perfectly normal. It also happens that as the baby passes through, the perineal tissues don’t have time to stretch properly and tear. This tear usually heals well after birth.
If you’re under epidural anesthesia, the sensation of pushing may decrease and sometimes be absent at the beginning of the second stage. This sensation usually comes later as your baby descends through contractions. It’s typically possible to wait until you feel the urge before pushing. Your efforts will then be more effective: you’ll push better and for less time.
Your Baby’s Birth
You and your loved ones may experience the pushing phase intensely. As your baby approaches the outside world, the top of his head appears. The father can see the baby’s hair.
You can also monitor your baby’s progress outside using a mirror available in most delivery rooms. After the crown of the head, the baby’s face becomes visible in daylight. Another effort, it’s time for the shoulders and the rest of the body to emerge.
