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Third Stage of Labor

Third Stage, After the Baby is Born

After your baby is born, your body still has some work to do. This is the third stage of labor, when the placenta is delivered. You will still have contractions. These contractions make the placenta separate from the inside of the uterus, and they push the placenta out. Your medical staff will help you with this. They will also watch for any problems, such as heavy bleeding, especially if you have had it before.

Your doctor's or nurse-midwife's goal is for the third stage to proceed normally, and for all of the placenta to leave the uterus. This is what keeps your bleeding down. At the least, you can expect to have a nurse press down on your belly to help the uterus release the placenta. You may be given some medicine to help the uterus contract firmly. Breast-feeding right away can also help the uterus shrink up and bleed less.

The third stage can be as quick as 5 minutes. With a preterm birth, it tends to take longer. But in most cases, the placenta is delivered within 30 minutes. If the placenta does not fully detach, your doctor or nurse-midwife will probably reach inside the uterus to remove by hand what is left inside. Your contractions will continue until after the placenta is delivered, so you may have to concentrate and breathe until this uncomfortable process is complete.