Is it slow? How long does labor last? Healthy Life

Our expert is a doctor of the highest category, gynecologist-endocrinologist Olga Petrikeeva.

The duration of labor is an individual issue that is discussed directly with the doctor. In this case, it is necessary to look at the tests, the condition of the fetus, placenta, and the size of the pelvic ring. Only after this is it estimated how long it will take to give birth.

But still, for all women in labor there are certain factors that you can focus on.

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"Rapid" genetics

There is such a thing as rapid labor, which in total can last from 4 to 6 hours. Usually the first stage of labor in this case is quite long, and it takes very little time to expel the fetus.

The likelihood of rapid birth does not depend on age or the number of children already born. The main role is played by genetic predisposition, which is passed on from generation to generation. That is, if your close relatives gave birth quickly, the same may happen to you.

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Quick birth

The cause of rapid labor may be certain genetic characteristics, increased excitability of the nervous system, complicated pregnancy, unfavorable obstetric and gynecological history, multiple births, sudden changes in hormonal levels, and some somatic and endocrine diseases. In some women, rapid labor is detected over several generations. This is explained by genetically determined characteristics of the body - increased excitability of the myometrium (uterine cells react too strongly to normal stimuli) or functional isthmic-cervical insufficiency (violation of the relationship between connective and muscle tissue or increased sensitivity of muscle tissue to changes in hormonal levels).

Rapid labor is often observed in patients with increased excitability of the nervous system (with anxiety disorders, neuroses, hysteria), as well as in patients suffering from hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, anemia and infectious diseases. Experts believe that in all of these cases, the cause of rapid labor is disruption of the nervous system - acceleration or inadequate processing of afferent impulses entering the brain from uterine receptors, and subsequent disorders of the nervous regulation of labor. Another factor that increases the likelihood of rapid labor may be thyrotoxicosis, accompanied by an acceleration of metabolic processes.

The list of causes of rapid labor associated with pathology of the reproductive system includes abnormalities in the development of the uterus, inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases, surgical interventions, previous abortions and rapid labor, menstrual irregularities and miscarriage. Risk factors for rapid labor that occur during pregnancy include late gestosis, polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancy, large fetus, placental abnormality, post-term pregnancy, blood type and Rh factor incompatibility. Sometimes rapid labor is provoked by a sharp change in hormonal levels, caused by prolonged compression of the cervix by the fetal head or the simultaneous discharge of amniotic fluid due to polyhydramnios.

Periods of labor

There are three periods of labor: the first (cervical dilatation), the second (expulsion of the fetus or pushing) and the third (afterbirth). The first period is the longest, its duration is 2/3 of the total duration of labor. The frequency of contractions during normal labor varies from one every half hour at the beginning of the period to one every 5 minutes in the middle of the period. At the end of the period, the intensity of labor decreases. Gradually intensifying and more frequent contractions cause a smooth opening of the obstetric pharynx. The walls of the uterus and cervix are not injured, the pressure on the baby’s head remains moderate. After the opening of the throat, the first period ends.

In the second period, the fetus begins to move along the birth canal. The advancement is also carried out smoothly and gradually, which avoids injury to the fetus, damage to the cervix and mother’s vagina. The second period ends after the birth of the child. In the third period, the afterbirth is born - the placenta and the remains of the fetal bladder. This period is the easiest and shortest. The average duration of normal labor for a primigravida is 11-12 hours. The first period takes about 9 hours, the second – about 2 hours, the third – about 30 minutes.

The myth of narrow hips

There is an opinion that fragile girls with narrow hips have a harder time and take longer to give birth than those with wide hips. In fact, everything is not quite like that. A woman may look very fragile, but the inner ring of the pelvis, which allows the baby’s head and shoulders to pass through, is often normal. On the other hand, the expectant mother may have wide hips, but the inner ring, due to injuries, displacements, or hereditary factors, may be skewed or very narrow. That is why obstetricians-gynecologists evaluate the condition of the pelvis, and do this at the very beginning of pregnancy.

Types of childbirth: what are their features and difficulties

In this regard, methods such as water birth, or birth according to Leboya, vertical birth and with a doula (spiritual midwife and mentor), the first period with fitball, massage and even wine, have become widespread. How are such births so fundamentally different from traditional ones, why are doctors against home births, and which ones should you choose for yourself?

Surgical or natural childbirth?

If we talk about the way a child is born, we can distinguish between surgical and natural births. In the first case, both planned and emergency caesarean sections are performed for special indications. These include a whole list of reasons in which the birth of a baby through the natural birth canal is either impossible or dangerous due to complications. Caesarean section is a serious abdominal operation, which is performed under anesthesia and with tissue dissection, suturing and all the ensuing consequences. Therefore, it is not carried out simply at the request of a woman who is afraid of childbirth - only strict and justified reasons are needed. Doctors develop tactics for such births; they determine the type of anesthesia, the features of the incisions and other nuances.

Natural childbirth takes place in three successive stages - a period of contractions, then pushing and the passage of the placenta. There are many options for carrying out all these three stages, as well as approaches to the birth of a baby. All this is designed to facilitate the birth process for the mother and make the birth of the baby as natural, fast and easy as possible.

Advantages

Medical monitoring of your condition.
Careful monitoring of the fetus's condition.
Possibility of emergency medical assistance.
Presence of a pediatrician at the birth.
Compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards.

Flaws

Unusual environment.
Sometimes unreasonable prescription of drugs.

Each method has its pros and cons, the choice is always up to the woman and the doctor, taking into account possible difficulties and contraindications, a good obstetrician will always answer all the woman’s questions in detail and help her make a choice.

A special option is home birth.

Many future parents want to follow naturalness in everything, including childbirth. And often they come across various articles on the Internet about home births, where adherents of such methods of bringing a baby into the world describe in bright colors how good, convenient and wonderful it is. But doctors do not share the same optimism of followers of the naturalness of home birth, considering such births to be obviously dangerous for the life of mother and child.

Flaws:

Lack of monitoring of the condition of the woman and child.
Unsatisfactory sanitary conditions.
Extremely low qualifications of those who deliver births (compare a midwife or doctor who attends 20 births daily in a hospital with those who deliver births 1-2 times a month at home).
Failure to provide necessary assistance in emergency situations.

At home, a woman is left alone with fate, even if a midwife comes to help her (it’s good if she has experience and specialized medical education). Even a completely healthy, young and strong woman can die or get complications, not to mention those mothers who have a whole bunch of diseases. Therefore, all doctors are categorically against such a delivery, taking into account the equipment, convenience of hospitals and the quality of medical care provided to pregnant women and women in labor. Today, using a birth certificate, you can choose any maternity hospital, after reading reviews and even a personal doctor, so the risk of having children born at home is not justified.

Water birth: what is it and why is it dangerous?

Today there are methods of childbirth in water, when the woman spends only the first period, during contractions, or the first and second, during pushing, in a special bath or pool. The basis of the method is that water changes body weight and sensations, which reduces the discomfort of contractions, relaxes, reduces tension and relieves pain. Due to water, contractions are relieved, they are easier to bear, water provides a kind of body massage and helps relieve tension. If childbirth also takes place in water, it is believed that the child finds himself in a more natural environment for him, similar to the one that surrounded him all the previous time. This makes birth stress less severe for him.

However, doctors also express their concerns regarding these methods - the water is not sterile and requires frequent replacement and special treatment so as not to lead to infection of the birth canal and the baby. It is important to follow all sanitary rules and control the entire process, but during pushing and at the birth of a baby it is difficult to assess blood loss and provide assistance if emergency complications suddenly arise. In this regard, such births are not yet widespread.

Vertical childbirth: a special situation

With vertical birth, the process of contractions is similar to natural traditional childbirth. But the attempts themselves are carried out with the woman in a kneeling or knee-elbow position, or sitting on a special chair with a notch in the middle. This helps the baby to be born more easily due to the force of gravity acting on the birth canal. Attempts pass faster, the baby is born somewhat easier.

Advantages

The woman in labor feels less discomfort.
It's easier to push.
Pain is reduced.
The duration of the second stage of labor decreases.
The number of intracranial injuries in the child decreases.

Flaws

It is inconvenient for doctors to observe the process, so deep ruptures of the perineum occur more often.
It is difficult to monitor the condition of the fetus.
To carry out childbirth in an upright position, special beds are required.

Not all women are ready for such experiments, and doctors themselves say that in such a situation, it is more difficult for women in labor to provide benefits, and therefore such methods are not common in all maternity hospitals.

Childbirth Leboye: new product in maternity hospitals

In developing the technique of maximum naturalness during traditional childbirth, many obstetricians went beyond the usual comfortable ward and individual delivery room. This is how the Leboye technique or soft, comfortable childbirth appeared. They create a special atmosphere that predisposes to stress relief and relaxation, dimming light and sound and creating special spiritual “matrices”, emphasizing the natural connections between the mother and the newly born child. Soothing music and soft warm light help make the meeting between the baby and mother special and unforgettable, so that the baby does not feel the stress of birth. The author of the technique also suggested placing the baby in a bath of water immediately after birth, but this practice was abandoned, using placement on the mother’s stomach and cutting the umbilical cord after some time.

Some maternity hospitals even offer a glass of wine after the mother gives birth to help relieve the stress of labor, but not during the process, as this increases the risk of complications (postpartum bleeding may increase).

Practical doctors, despite the theoretical beauty and naturalness of such a technique, treat it with a great deal of skepticism; not all women in childbirth will like such paraphernalia: childbirth is a complex matter.

Partner birth: a controversial issue

Today it has become fashionable to take expectant fathers with you to childbirth so that they can participate in the process from start to finish. It is believed that this practice allows one to develop strong paternal feelings and a caring attitude towards a woman, and the future mother to receive the necessary support and closeness, the help of a loved one. Doctors also have complex feelings about this technique, because men are not always ready for the spectacle that they are about to see. Since the process is long, and contemplation of the suffering of a beloved woman can negatively affect their psyche. Many of the fathers are present during the first stage of labor, providing massage and entertainment, supporting the woman in word and deed, going out the door for the labor itself. But there are also those that remain for all periods, and their reactions can be different - from euphoria to fainting. It is not uncommon for couples to separate in this way about a year after the baby is born.