What Happens During The Opening Phase?

The opening stage is the first phase of labor and is one of the three stages in childbirth before the baby comes out and the placenta is ejected.

During the opening phase, the cervix plays a key role. Contractions allow it to open up, so that the baby can be born.

In case of premature contractions, the cervix can be shortened or opened considerably.

In this case, it is advisable to go to the hospital to stop the contractions and make sure that the mother and child are well.

Throughout pregnancy, the cervix is ​​kept closed to keep the fetus warm and safe throughout its development.

Other symptoms before childbirth that come before the opening stage include: that the mucus plug goes, the contractions begin, the amniotic fluid goes and that the fetus moves down into the pelvis.

When the opening phase is completed, you are ready to shake out the child.

How does the opening phase behave?

The opening phase can take place in two ways:

• Natural and spontaneous without the need for medical intervention.
• It can be induced with drugs, when it is considered necessary for the health of the mother or fetus.

Phases of the opening phase

The time between the contractions starting until the baby is out is called the “opening stage”.

It is the longest phase of labor and usually lasts between 8 and 12 hours for a first-time mother. For the second child, it lasts about 5 to 7 hours.

On average, the cervix expands by one centimeter per hour, but the rate of expansion is not even. The first centimeters usually take the longest time. But this is just an average, because all mothers are unique, just like all births.

These are the phases of the opening phase:

1. Latency phase

The contractions occur every 5 to 30 minutes and last between 30 and 45 seconds on average.

If the contractions are low intensity, you may feel back and pelvic pain. However, the contractions are still effective: during this phase, the cervix can expand up to 3 cm.

2. Active pain phase

Next, the contractions will occur every 5 minutes and last between 30 and 40 seconds. The opening will reach 5 centimeters.

The contractions begin to occur every two to three minutes and can be up to 50 seconds. The cervix will expand to 6 cm.

3. Fast acceleration phase

This is the last step of the opening stage of the cervix and it will open to 10 cm. In this phase, everything accelerates: the contractions come every two to three minutes and they last longer, which can be heavy for the mother.

It can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, redness or chills and is the most difficult step for the mother.

There is also talk of a passive and active opening phase:

Passive opening stage

The cervix widens from 0 to 3 centimeters and contractions occur irregularly and with a moderate intensity.

It is nice to be at home or in a quiet environment. You do not have to go to the hospital until the contractions occur every 5 minutes for at least 1 hour.

Active opening stage

The cervix widens from 3 to 10 centimeters, and the contractions become more frequent and more intense.

It is best to be in the hospital at this time as these contractions come just before the baby comes out.

Cervix: when the opening stage does not proceed

Sometimes the opening phase of the cervix does not go fast enough or it stops.

Some of the causes can be: an abnormal cervix, an underlying cervical surgery, a baby that is too big for the mother’s pelvis or contractions that are not effective enough.

But that does not mean that a caesarean section is necessary. Doctors can perform other medical procedures.

• You can scrape the placenta. This procedure usually results in stronger contractions and greater pressure of the baby’s head on the cervix.
• Synthetic oxytocin injection. This hormone will strengthen the natural oxytocin that generates uterine contractions, helps to strengthen them and make them more frequent.