1st stage (dilation)

The duration of the dilation phase varies quite a lot.

The need of pain relief varies between individuals. Decisions on pain relief are based on mother’s wishes, the baby’s condition and how the delivery progresses.

At first, pain can be alleviated by moving around, trying different positions, massage, heat bags, showering, soaking in the tub, zone therapy or aqua blisters. Mothers giving birth have the option of using a rocking chair, gym and fitness balls, beanbags and mattresses during labour.

Pain medication

Pain medication can be administered orally or as an intramuscular injection in the early stages of labour.

Laughing gas

Laughing gas can be used for pain relief throughout the dilation phase. The gas is inhaled using a mask during contractions.

Laughing gas poses no risk to the mother or the child, as it is quickly eliminated through the lungs.

Some mothers may experience slight nausea when inhaling laughing gas. The use of laughing gas does not exclude other forms of pain relief.

Epidural and spinal block

Epidural and spinal block is always administered by an anaesthesiologist. Monitoring the condition of the mother and the baby is intensified after applying the anaesthetic.

Epidural anaesthesia is administered when labour is well under way. The anaesthetic effect sets in about 15 minutes after administration. More anaesthetic may be administered to the epidural space via a separate catheter throughout labour and delivery.

Spinal block is given once; the effect lasts about 2 hours.

Spinal anaesthetics may be associated with headache that appears later as a side effect.

Paracervical block (PCB)

Paracervical block is administered by an obstetrician. PCB means that an anaesthetic agent is applied to the area of the cervix through the vagina. This type of pain relief is used in mothers whose cervix is sufficiently dilated. The pain-alleviating effect sets in quickly, and the block may be applied again if needed.

Pudendal block

Pudendal block can be used to alleviate pain during the pushing stage. Pudendal block is administered by an obstetrician.

2nd stage (pushing stage)

Once the cervix has dilated to 10 cm you move from the dilation stage to the pushing stage. The pushing stage is divided into passive and active pushing. During the pushing stage the mother can push in different positions during contractions.

Towards the end of the pushing stage the mother is attended by the treating midwife and assisting midwife, as well as an obstetrician and a paediatrician, if necessary.

The perineum is anaesthetised and episiotomy performed only if necessary.

The pushing stage ends as the baby is born, after which the mother is given medicine that contracts the uterus to encourage separation of the placenta from the uterine wall.

3rd stage (delivery of placenta)

The birth of the baby is followed by the delivery of the placenta and foetal membranes. If there are any problems with the delivery of the placenta, it may be removed surgically in the operating room.

Any stitching you may need for the perineum/episiotomy will be done after delivery of the placenta.