Second Stage

During the second stage the baby is born. This stage of labor lasts anywhere from one contraction to up to two hours. The baby’s head stretches your vagina and perineum (the skin between the vagina and rectum). This may cause a burning sensation. Some women may feel as if they are having a bowel movement, and feel the urge to push, or bear down. The labor nurse or physician will tell you when it is time to push. It is important that you not push until instructed. Pushing too early will cause the cervix to become edematous, or swollen.

"Crowning" occurs as the widest part of the head appears at the vaginal opening. In the next few pushes, the baby is born. Mucous and amniotic fluid will be removed from the baby’s mouth and nose with a bulb syringe. The baby will take its first breath, and may begin to cry. Immediately after birth, the baby is still connected to the placenta by the umbilical cord. The cord is clamped and cut.