Pregnancy

The time of delivery is a unique and magical experience that determines the end of gestation. A woman is in labour from the time that uterus starts contracting regularly and contractions increase in strength gradually, in order to dilate the cervix and deliver the baby.
The mechanism for the onset of delivery is yet unknown however it is related to maternal as well as fetal factors.

Stages of labour:

1)First stage of labour lasts from the onset of labour until cervix gets fully dilated.
2)Second stage of labour is while pushing until baby comes out.
3)Third stage of labour starts right after baby comes out and ends with the delivery of placenta.

The duration of the delivery depends on many factors; however we are able to estimate it approximately and according to previous deliveries.
A primigravida usually experiences longer delivery as first stage lasts for about 7 hours while a multigravida needs about 4 hours to complete the same stage. Moreover, the cervix of a primigravida is getting dilated 1-2cm per hour when for multipara is 1-5 per hour.
The delivery is as unique as stressful situation which demands a good co-operation between mother, doctor and midwife.
It is of great importance to identify any risk factors early in pregnancy so as to make an effective plan of management and provide the best care in order to have a nice normal delivery.