Preparing for Birth Australian Edition Partial Preview | Page 9

Your Labour Guide
Transition Resting Stage Pushing/Crowning Third Stage
• Averages 10-60 minutes
• Shortest and most intense stage
• Averages 10-30 minutes
• Averages 30 minutes to 2
hours
• Averages 5-60 minutes
• 2-3 minutes apart
• 60-90 seconds long
• Slow or stop
• 3-5 minutes apart
• 60-90 seconds long
• Crampy and intermittent
• 8-10 centimetres • Complete • Complete
• Mother may request no sound or
touching during contractions.
• Use your most effective coping
strategies.
• Relax and breathe between
contractions.
• Wait to begin pushing
until you feel the urge.
• Enjoy the time of rest.
• Overwhelming pressure
and urge to bear down with
contractions.
• Mother may feel more
energised and confident.
• Enjoy meeting, holding and
bonding with your baby.
• Take deep breaths and continue
relaxation techniques if needed.
• Use the best position and/or
• Eat and drink soon after birth to
• Rest, breathe deeply and
movements to make contractions
replenish your strength.
• Be patient, drink, nap drink between contractions.
manageable.
• Talk to your baby and take
and recoup your energy. • Assume the most
• Use the birth ball; take a shower
pictures.
Preview
• Try various positions. comfortable position and
or bath to relieve pressure and
• Work on getting baby latched
change positions any time.
relax muscles.
on to the breast.
• Stay calm, even if she isn’t. • Remain calm and • Help her with positions.
• Stay with mother and focus on
• Use every idea you have to help reassuring if mother • Remind her to slow
your new family.
her cope.
seems confused.
her breathing between
• Take pictures and enjoy.
• Help her take one contraction at • Encourage her to rest, contractions.
• Ensure the staff knows your
a time and remind her that her drink, or try other • Use cool cloths, give her ice/
wishes for baby care.
baby is near.
positions.
water and offer lip balm.
Transition
Pushing
Labour and Birth 15