Your Blueprint for Labor

Stages 2 and 3: Delivery

Stage 2: Birth

It's push time. Uterine contractions and pushing move the baby along; if there's little to no progress, a C-section is possible. You may feel a burning sensation as the head crowns (passes through the vagina). This stage takes 20 minutes to 2 hours.

Stage 3: Placenta Delivery

Mild contractions continue. They expel the placenta 5 to 30 minutes post-delivery. You may feel pain for several days as your uterus shrinks, but you'll probably be so absorbed by Baby that you won't really notice.

You made it, Mommy!

Originally published in the October 2011 issue of American Baby magazine.