Wisdom The Sweetness

Come join in the wisdom of womanhood

Active Labor

The Beginning of Active Labor

As early labor ends, the birthing person moves into active labor. Active labor is marked by a cervix that is 6cm dilated. At this time, contractions are 2 to 3 minutes apart. The birthing family should be at their birth setting.

Labor progress is measured by the mother’s cervix dilation and effacement, as well as the baby’s station.

Your cervix is the pouch-like opening of your uterus into your birth canal (vagina). Usually, the pouch is closed. But, before the birthing person can begin pushing, the cervix must be completely dilated and effaced.

Rate of Dilation

The birthing person is expected to dilate at a rate of 1cm per hour. To avoid the risk of infection, your provider will not perform a vaginal exam every hour. But, the provider will ask to check from time to time to make sure labor is progressing.

Stalled Labor

Stalled labor is no dilation for 2 hours. Your provider may advise the use of Pitocin (synthetic Oxytocin) to restart labor. Pitocin is increased in increments until the desired effect, contractions and dilation, is achieved. In Active Labor, adequate contractions are three contractions within a 10-minute interval.

There are ways to increase Oxytocin naturally. Oxytocin, also known as ‘The Love Hormone,’ can be released due to nipple stimulation. You or your partner may gently roll one nipple at a time between fingers or rub the nipple with the palm of the hand. Do this for 30 minutes on each nipple or until a contraction has been achieved. A breast pump also may be used. If milk is expressed, collect it into a clean container and ask the nurse about refrigeration.

Effacement and a (Cervical) Lip

Effacement is the softening and thinning of your cervix. During this process, the cervix completely pulls back to reveal the birth canal.

Sometimes a bit of your cervix is left hanging after effacement and dilation. This bit of cervix is called a lip. The cervical lip can become swollen and close the opening pathway into the birth canal.

Foward-Leaning Inversion, hands and knees position, and leaning over a birth ball in bed may reduce a cervical lip. Try each position for 1 to 2 contractions with a support person helping to get you into and out of each position. Forward-Leaning Inversion may be safer if lowering the bottom of the hospital bed is used rather than leaning on a chair. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider before trying these positions, especially Forward-Leaning Inversion.

Stations

The path your newborn takes to move through your birth canal is divided into intervals, or stations, of – 5 to +5. Think of an upside-down integer chart. -5 is high. 0 station is engaged in the pelvis. +5 is at the outlet of your pelvis, ready to be delivered. Some mothers completely dilate and efface; but then, baby does not come down. This is when your nurse may suggest the ‘Throne Position.’ The birthing person will be seated completely erect with the top-end of the bed high and the bottom-end of the bed lowered. This is one of my favorite positions. Let’s be honest, it’s the Queen’s Position. Why not take a pic?

Active labor ends when the mother is 10cm dilated, 100% effaced, and baby is at least 0 station.

References

Wisdom The Sweetness

,
, , , , , ,