-By Bushra Hatahet, UK-Trained Clinical Midwife
Active labour is when your body moves beyond the preparation phase and begins making steady progress towards the birth of your baby.
During this stage, your cervix continues to dilate (open), contractions become stronger, longer and more regular, and your baby gradually moves lower into your pelvis.
For many women, this is when labour requires your full attention. You may no longer feel like talking through contractions, and your focus naturally turns inward. This is completely normal.
Every contraction has a purpose. It is helping your cervix open and gently guiding your baby down through the birth canal.
The active second stage begins when it is time to actively help your baby through the birth canal.
For some women, this happens naturally because they develop an overwhelming urge to push.
Others, particularly those with an epidural, may not feel this urge as strongly and will be guided by their midwife on when to begin pushing.
Whatever your experience, remember that your uterus is still doing most of the work.
Your contractions are pushing your baby down, while your pushing efforts help your baby continue that journey.
Many women worry that they won’t know how to push.
The good news is that most women instinctively know exactly what to do.
As your baby’s head presses firmly on your pelvic floor, you may feel a very strong sensation similar to needing to open your bowels.
Many women describe it as impossible to ignore.
Others say their body simply takes over.
Trust your instincts.
Your midwife is there to guide you and will help you make the most of each contraction.
As a contraction begins, take a deep breath and allow your body to work with it.
Curl around your baby if this feels comfortable.
Direct your effort down into your bottom rather than into your face.
Between contractions, completely relax.
The breaks between contractions are there for a reason.
Use them to recover before the next wave begins.
There is no benefit in staying tense when the contraction has finished.
There is no single “perfect” way to push.
Some women hold their breath.
Others breathe out slowly while pushing.
Some grunt deeply.
Others remain almost silent.
Birth is rarely quiet, and that’s completely normal.
Deep, low sounds often help keep your pelvic floor relaxed and allow you to work with your contractions.
Don’t worry about what you sound like.
Focus on what feels natural.
One of the biggest worries during the pushing stage is feeling as though nothing is happening.
In reality, birth is usually a gradual process.
With each contraction, your baby’s head moves a little lower into the pelvis.
It may move forward during the contraction before slipping back slightly afterwards.
This is completely normal.
Each contraction usually gains a little more progress than the one before.
Eventually, your baby’s head will stay lower and lower until it no longer slips back between contractions.
Patience is incredibly important during this stage.
Your body is doing exactly what it needs to do.
“Some of the most beautiful births I’ve looked after have seemed to make very little progress for quite some time.
Then suddenly, within just a few contractions, everything changes.
Trust your body.
Trust your baby.
Small steps forward soon become the moment you’ve been waiting for.”
This is often when your encouragement means the most.
Help Mum stay focused on one contraction at a time.
Offer water between contractions.
Remind her to relax between each push.
Celebrate every little achievement.
Sometimes a simple,
“You’re doing brilliantly. Your baby is getting closer.”
is exactly what she needs to hear.
As your baby continues to descend, something exciting begins to happen.
At first, your baby’s head may only be felt during an examination.
Later, it becomes visible during a contraction before disappearing again.
Eventually, the head remains visible all the time.
This is called crowning and is the final part of your baby’s remarkable journey through the birth canal.
In the next section, we’ll explain how your baby rotates through your pelvis, what station means, why midwives talk about the ischial spines, and how understanding your baby’s position helps us guide you safely through the birth.
“Labour has taught me that women are often far stronger than they believe. I’ve cared for mothers who arrived feeling frightened and unsure, only to discover an incredible strength they never knew they had. The second stage isn’t about having the perfect technique or the loudest push. It’s about trusting your body, working with your baby, and allowing your birth team to support you every step of the way.
When you finally hear your baby’s first cry, every contraction, every breath and every moment of determination suddenly has a purpose. That moment is one you’ll remember for the rest of your life”.
If you are looking for calm expertise and genuine continuity of care, let’s talk.
