After crowning, which is when the widest part of the baby's head stays visible at the vaginal opening and does not retract between contractions, the baby usually comes out very quickly, typically within a few minutes to 30 minutes. Crowning marks the end of the second stage of labor, meaning the mother is fully dilated and the baby is almost born. Once crowning occurs, the healthcare provider often asks the mother to pant, breathe, or give small gentle pushes to allow the perineum to stretch slowly and reduce tearing, rather than pushing hard. The head emerges first, then after the next contraction or with the next push, the shoulders rotate and the rest of the body slips out. For first-time mothers, it may take 10 to 20 minutes after initial crowning to deliver the baby as tissues need time to stretch. For mothers who have given birth before, it can be as quick as one to three pushes and just a few minutes after crowning. If pushing is ineffective, or if there is fetal distress, medical team may assist, but generally once crowning is seen, birth is imminent and families can expect the baby within minutes.
1 votes
Marked as accepted