| Labor |
 How your body knows when it is time to begin labor still remains a mystery. However, when your body is ready, it will let you know! For many women, it is difficult to differentiate pre-labor from true labor. Labor doesn’t begin suddenly. It is a process that progresses gradually over a period of time. True labor begins at the point where contractions become more regular, productive, and efficient. Productive labor is labor which leads to a systematic dilation of the cervix. In the earliest phase of labor the uterus will begin to distend and contract and the cervix will begin to dilate or open. First the cervix will soften or “ripen” in preparation for labor. Then it will begin to dilate and efface. You will begin to produce large quantities of a hormone called prostaglandin. Prostaglandins soften and dilate the cervix, however when it is produced in large quantities, you will begin to feel strong contractions. These strong contractions will cause you to produce even more prostaglandins, and the cycle continues. During labor the mother’s body will begin to produce a hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the uterus to contract. The pattern of labor will vary considerably from woman to woman. Some women will dilate quickly and labor will progress rapidly. In some cases an expectant mother may be caught somewhat unprepared as pushing contractions come quickly. For most first-time mothers, however, labor lasts an average of about 14 hours. Of course, in the world of averages, some women will take longer and others will move through the process more quickly. Many women who have multiple children, find that labor often progresses more quickly for subsequent births than for the first birth, averaging 8 hours. Labor is divided into three phases: |