Third Stage of Labour - Delivery of the Placenta

Within 5 to 10 minutes of your baby's birth the placenta will be delivered. This is the third and final stage of labor. Very often this happens almost unnoticed by the mother.

Your midwife will massage your tummy to encourage the delivery of the placenta and you may be given an injection to speed things along. However, if you are breastfeeding this should not be necessary as breastfeeding will encourage further contractions to dispel the placenta. When the midwife feels the time is right she may ask you to attempt a few gentle pushes and the delivery itself is usually painless.

The placenta will be examined to ensure it is all in one piece and your midwife will check that your bleeding is under control. If any of the placenta has been retained by the uterus you will need an operation to prevent bleeding and infection.

Many mothers like to see the placenta after the delivery as it was it after all that was nourishing the baby for the duration of the pregnancy!

Any stitches will now be carried out and you may receive a numbing injection; you can also use gas and air to help alleviate any discomfort you may feel.

If you are breastfeeding, your uterus will begin contracting back to it's pre-pregnancy size with each breastfeed. Breastfeeding also means a reduced risk of severe bleeding, although you may receive an injection if the staff are concerned about any bleeding.

First Stage of Labour

Second Stage of Labour

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