Usha and Ranjith look forward to the birth of their child. It is the culmination of months of hopes and dreams. Finally the time has arrived to go through the process of labour and be rewarded with the birth of a very wanted baby. Usha is beset with mixed feelings. She is excited, but at the same time, she is filled with trepidation. After all, it is a mysterious process and the terms ‘labour’ and ‘pains’ evoke a sense of anxiety. It is important for her to understand the process so that she can undergo labour with the least amount of apprehension.

What is labour?

Labour is the process by which contractions of a pregnant uterus cause birth. During labour, the mouth of the uterus (cervix) thins. This is termed effacement. The gradual opening of the cervix is called dilatation. The dilatation progresses from a closed cervix  (0 cms) or a partially open cervix, to full dilatation (10cms) in the first stage of labour. The baby moves down the birth canal and is born, in the second stage of labour. Delivery of the placenta is the last or third stage of labour.

Every labour is different. How long it lasts and how it progresses differs from woman to woman and from birth to birth. There are, however, general guidelines for labour that your obstetrician uses to decide whether it is progressing normally. If it is not progressing normally, you may need medical assistance or a cesarean delivery.

A pregnancy usually lasts 280 days or 40 weeks. Once you reach the 37th week of your pregnancy, you are considered to be at term. If any signs of labour occur before 37 weeks of pregnancy, the labour is considered preterm. You should see your obstetrician immediately if you have any signs or symptoms of labour before 37 weeks.

What triggers labour?

No one knows exactly what starts the labour process. However, we do know that certain hormones, such as oxytocin and prostaglandins, cause uterine contractions and the thinning of the cervix. Hormones from the baby also trigger labour by stimulating the mother's hormone production.

False labour:

Sometimes, knowing when labour has begun is difficult. You may be admitted to the hospital and then sent home if your labour does not progress--that is, if your cervix does not efface (thin out) or dilate. This is called false labour.