Uterus continues to contract, expelling the placenta
Occurs within ten minutes of the baby’s birth.
Cervix opens sufficiently & baby begins to move down the birth canal
Rest of the body then slides out relatively easily, and the umbilical cord is sealed and cut.
Uterine contractions begin
Contractions start gentle, but then become more powerful
Uterus continues to contract, expelling the severed umbilical cord
Mother pushes/or bears down, in response to pressure against her pelvic muscles.
Crown of the baby’s head becomes visible in the widened birth canal
Baby’s head rotates to fit through the mother’s pelvis
Lasts about 90 minutes
As the head emerges entirely the physician turns the baby’s shoulders (