Transition. (End of First Stage)
What’s Happening: Cervix dilates fully from
8 to 10 cm. Contractions are only 2-3 minutes apart, and may 60-90 seconds.
Physically and emotionally, this stage of labor is very intense for mothers.
Duration: Range: 10 minutes to 2.5
hours. Average is about 1 hour in first time moms.
Mom’s mood: Because of the intensity
of transition, mom’s moods may be volatile. She may be irritable, hostile,
confused, disoriented; she may feel trapped and want to go home; may fear she
is dying; often very dependent; discouraged or exhausted. It is common for her
to say: “I can’t, I can’t.”
Mom’s
What Partner can do:
· Assistance with comforting specific physical
concerns (e.g. warm blankets, cool cloths, massaging a cramp, etc.)
· Be sensitive to cues, and try to follow her
lead; her needs may change from moment to moment, so what was working before
may no longer work.
· Give short, simple directions. Don’t ask a lot
of questions: if you need to ask something, make the question specific. Offer 2
options to choose from; don’t ask “what can I do for you?”
· Don’t leave her alone. Stay within arm’s
reach.
· Keep your face close to hers; with direct eye
contact.
· Breathe with her to help her focus on breathing techniques. Hee-Hee-Blow; variable.
· Most important: reassure her. Let her know
she’s OK, that these are normal signs of transition, and that labor is nearing
its end. Be supportive, and stay as calm and grounded yourself as you possibly
can.
Take Charge Routine
Sometimes a mom will have a
really hard time with transition. Her support person should move in very close
and ask her to keep her eyes open so they can establish clear eye contact. He then
should speak calmly and authoritatively, giving specific instructions about
breathing, to help her focus again.
She may not be able to calm
down, relax and focus at this point, so this should not be your goal. Just work
to find some effective coping techniques and a ritual for handling the
contractions.
Janelle
Durham, 2004