In the Netherlands you can choose to give birth at home assisted by your midwife or in hospital (polyclinic). The “normal” term to go into labour is between 37 and 42 weeks. If you go into labour before or after this term, your midwife will refer you to a gynaecologist.
Start of labour
Labour can start in several ways. 90% of deliveries start with contractions. A contraction is the painful tightening of the uterus, recurring every 5 minutes or less and lasting one minute.
10% of deliveries start with the waters breaking. This can be gradual: losing small amounts of amniotic fluid at a time, but it can also come out in a gush.
Some women lose their mucus plug before going into labour. This is a plug of blood-tinged mucus. This does not necessarily mean labour will start within the next few hours. It could still take some time.
Dilation, expulsion and birth
Effective contractions (contractions recurring every 5 minutes and lasting for about one minute each) will cause the uterus to dilate. The cervix softens and the uterus starts opening, centimetre by centimetre. At 10 centimetres the uterus is fully dilated.
Childbirth is an extraordinary event, but also a painful one. Please watch the informational video below about how to handle pain.
First-time mums usually take around 10 hours to fully dilate.
When the uterus is fully dilated, you might feel like you need to go to the toilet. This is called the urge to push. The uterus is slowly pushing the baby down by contracting. The uterus’ contractions and your force pushes the baby further into the vagina, and the baby will gradually be born. This second stage of labour is also called “expulsion”. This can take one hour for first babies.
Placenta
The birth of the baby does not signify the end of labour. The placenta still needs to be expelled. This is the organ containing the membranes that housed the baby. It needs to be expelled one hour after the birth of the baby.
From stitching and washing to pure joy!
Most women need stitches after giving birth. During delivery the vagina usually tears slightly or the midwife might have to make a small cut. Suturing is generally done by a midwife. Local anaesthesia will of course be used during the procedure.
When this is done, you can enjoy a nice shower. If you are unable to walk to the shower due to dizziness or blood loss, the maternity assistant or hospital nurse will wash you in bed. Your bed will also be changed.
You can then get back into bed, fully refreshed, to relax and enjoy your new baby.
Childbirth takes approximately twelve hours in total. For some women this is much shorter, and for some much longer. The main thing is that your labour progresses, that you receive proper guidance and that you are in a place where you feel safe.
Relaxation will help your labour progress!