Dad if you have made it this far and haven’t passed out, this is the ultimate moment that you have been waiting for. You are so close to meeting the baby that has been growing in your her womb for the last 9 months and the one you have felt move and kick you when you place your hand on her stomach. Dad she still needs your help and coaching so that she can remain calm, focused, and continuing to work through the last few contractions so that she deliver the baby. Once the baby is delivered, you will quickly realize that this is the moment you and her have been waiting for, to meet your new baby for the very first time. The moment you gaze into your baby’s eyes you will no longer be focused on the exhaustion and intensive labor that you and your wife or significant other just made it through.
Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t be substituted for medical intervention. I am not a doctor, midwife, or nurse. If you think that your wife or significant other is in the final stages of delivery, please call 911 or head to the closest hospital.
Dads Learn What to Expect During Transition Labor?
The next phase of labor is called transition labor and typically begins when she is dilated to 8 cm. Most women will tell you that this is the most painful stage of labor. At this point, contractions are coming every two to three minutes and last anywhere from 60 to 90 seconds. She may begin to feel as if she isn’t able to get a break between contractions or from the pain. Some women during this phase of labor are known for swearing, screaming, or saying things that they don’t mean to their spouse or significant other, if this happens please don’t take it personally. This phase is typically short or especially if she has already had a baby before. During this phase of labor, the doctor and nurses may come in and begin setting her bed in preparation for delivering the baby. If she has made it up to this point without medication, try to coach her through these last few contractions. You might try suggesting that she switch positions in the bed, allow you to give her a massage, place a cool cloth on her head, and leave her alone so that she can focus while she is in her own personal zone. She may ask you to remove any distractions that there are in the room so that she can concentrate on each of the remaining contractions.
It’s Time to Push
Once mom is fully dilated, she can begin pushing as soon as she begins to feel the urge to push. If the baby is still high in the pelvis, it may take a few contractions to push the baby further into the birth canal before she has the urge to push. If she has had a long labor and the baby is still high in the pelvis, your doctor might encourage her to rest and allow her uterus to do the work to help conserve her energy, this process is known as laboring down. If she starts pushing when the baby is still high in the birth canal, she could end up getting frustrated with the progress and become overly exhausted from pushing. Mom’s who have had an epidural are less likely to be able to feel when they have the urge to push. However, some women feel the urge to push before she has even dilated to 10 centimeters. Most doctors urge women to wait until they are fully dilated before allowing her to start pushing.
Vaginally Delivering the Baby
As the baby makes his or her way down the birth canal, the perineum area will begin to bulge before you will see your baby’s head appear. If she wants to watch the birth now is the time to get a mirror for her. Dad if you do not wish to see your baby crown, now would be the perfect time to stay at the head of the bed while you continue to encourage her to push. Once the head has made it’s way out, her doctor may tell her to stop pushing while he or she suctions out the baby’s mouth. If she has the urge to push while the doctor is working on the baby, urge her to pant to counteract the urge to push. After the doctor has finished suctioning out the baby’s mouth, the doctor will finish delivering the baby with a few more good pushes from mom. Most doctors will place the baby on the mother’s belly to dry off the baby, unless there is a medical emergency.
Cutting The Umbilical Cord
Dad if you are planning on cutting the cord, now is the time to speak up. Once the doctor clamps the umbilical cord, the doctor typically hands dad the scissors so that you can cut the umbilical cord between the two clamps. The umbilical cord is kinda tough, so it takes a bit of muscle to cut through the cord.
The Final Stage of Delivery is Often Overlooked by Most Dad’s
The final stage of delivery is often overlooked by most dads as they are too busy gazing at their new baby. Shortly after delivery, she will have to deliver the placenta, which provided nourishment to your baby while inside the womb. After the baby’s birth, she will have several more contractions which will detach the placenta from the uterine wall. Then once the placenta is fully detached, the doctor will then have her do several more pushes to deliver the placenta, which isn’t painful to deliver If you have a weak stomach, I suggest that you don’t look at the placenta.
Now that the delivery is over, most parents feel a sudden burst of energy once the baby has arrived. The real work of taking care of a new baby has just begun. Dad it is important that you bond with your newborn, especially, if mom plans on breastfeeding. Check out: “15 Tips for Dad to Bond With Their Newborn Baby.”
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Dad how did you hold up during delivery?
