The 3rd stage of Labour

 

	The First Stage
	The Second Stage
	The Third Stage
	Caring for yourself after the Birth

Stage three consists of the delivery of the placenta or afterbirth.

During pregnancy the placenta is attached to the wall of the uterus and connected to the baby via the umbilical cord. It provides the passage through which nutrients and oxygen from the mother pass to the baby.

After or during the final stage of your baby's birth, you may be given a syntometrine injection which will aid in speeding up the delivery of the placenta, thus the third stage could be over in three minutes, whereas without the injection this stage could take up to 30 minutes and there is a greater risk of haemorrhage. If any stitches are necessary to repair the perinium, they'll be done now under local anaesthetic.

The long wait is finally over and the 'elated mommy' can now lie back and marvel at the sight of her little miracle, so tiny but yet so complete. After your newborn has endured his first ever medical check-over, Mommy and Baby will be wheeled into the ward, and with the intensity of labour behind her, she is now about to embark on the next chapter in the saga of motherhood!