Second stage
This stage of labour starts when your cervix is ten centimetres dilated, and the baby’s head is moving into the birth canal. This is normally accompanied by a pressure in your bottom, followed by an urge to push which can feel difficult to control and similar to the sensation of needing to open your bowels.
Some women may not get an urge to push, particularly if they have an epidural. If this is the case, your midwife will help guide you by feeling for a contraction on your abdomen and letting you know when to push.
Your midwife will check your baby’s heartbeat regularly and support you to try different positions.
When your baby’s head is nearly born, your midwife will encourage you to gently breathe and avoid pushing if possible. This ensures your baby’s head stretches your perineum slowly and can help reduce tearing.
The second stage of labour ends with the birth of your baby. This stage of labour can last up to four hours if it’s your first baby, and is usually much quicker if it’s your second or third baby.
Positions for birth