Our experienced and compassionate OBGYNs can support you through labor and delivery
Pregnancy is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming time that leads up to the moment when you first meet your baby. However, you still have a few more steps before you get to hold your little one. Childbirth involves both labor and delivery, and the right obstetrics care can help make these steps easier and safer for you and your baby.
Legacy Women’s Health is home to San Antonio OBGYNs who help patients become parents every day. As part of this meaningful work, our doctors take the time to explain what to expect from childbirth.
What are the signs of labor?
First-time parents want to know how to tell whether labor has started. The biggest sign of labor is the start of regular contractions.
- Contractions are when your uterus tightens and relaxes to help move the baby through the birth canal.
- As your labor progresses, you’ll notice that your contractions become stronger and more frequent.
- You should let your San Antonio OBGYN know when you have regular contractions every five to 10 minutes for an hour.
Contractions are not the only signs that childbirth is near. Some patients experience a feeling of lightness or relief (lightening) as the baby moves from the rib cage to the pelvis.
It’s also common to see more vaginal discharge as the cervix prepares to open (dilate). The discharge can be clear, pink or even slightly bloody.
It’s also important to know the other possible signs of labor.
- Pain or pressure in the pelvic area or rectum
- Dull lower backache
- Menstrual-like cramps
- Diarrhea
Finally, it’s also common to feel a gush or trickle of fluid coming from the vagina. This is a sign that your water is breaking.
What happens during labor and delivery?
Just like the trimesters of pregnancy, labor and delivery look different for each person and each pregnancy. Some patients have their baby within a few hours of going into labor. Others can have longer and more challenging deliveries.
The good news is that our San Antonio OBGYNs know how to support both routine and high-risk deliveries. Our doctors also take the time to help you understand what to expect from each stage of labor and delivery.
- Stage 1 involves early labor and active labor. Early labor typically involves mild and inconsistent contractions. During this time, the cervix begins to soften and opens from 0 centimeters (cm) to less than 6 cm. Once you enter active labor, your contractions are stronger and closer together. Your cervix also opens from 6 cm to 10 cm.
- Stage 2 is when you deliver your baby. During this time, you will push when your healthcare provider says to do so. You can try different positions to find the most comfortable ones.
- Stage 3 is the delivery of your placenta (afterbirth). After delivering your baby, you might notice mild contractions as your body pushes out the placenta. However, some patients are so focused on their baby that they don’t really notice this stage.
Once you have gone through these stages of labor and delivery, it’s time to rest and enjoy your new bundle of joy. Our team will be there to support you at every step of your postpartum recovery.
Would you like to learn more about prenatal care, including labor and delivery support, from Legacy Women’s Health? If so, we invite you to contact us to schedule an appointment.
