Second Stage of Labor

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Second Stage of Labor

The second stage begins when the cervix is fully dilated and ends with the birth of the baby. As the contractions grow stronger and the baby reaches the pelvic floor, you will feel an urge to push. Joining the pushing reflex with your voluntary pushes will force the baby down the birth canal.

Shortly before delivery, your obstetrical care provider may perform an episiotomy — an incision that widens the vaginal opening to speed delivery and/or prevent tearing of your perineal tissues. Whether or not you will need an episiotomy will depend on whether your perineum will stretch to the size of the baby. It is also a matter of patient and practitioner preference. You may wish to discuss this with your doctor or midwife as you approach your due date.

As you push the baby's head out, your obstetrical care provider will turn the baby's shoulders and the body will slide out. Then, he or she will clamp and cut the umbilical cord and suction the baby's nose and mouth to remove mucus and fluid from the airways. The second stage is usually less than two hours, but it can last longer without harm to the baby.

Last updated:	September 29, 2004
Reviewed By:	Faculty of Harvard Medical School