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Pushing: The Second Stage of Labor

The pushing stage occurs after the cervix is completely dilated and no longer in front of the baby's head. A smooth passageway now exists through which you can push your baby from the uterus and down through the birth canal to delivery.

Your contractions may decrease

Your Second Pregnancy, Labor, and Delivery
Updated April 2022

In this guide:

Your Second Pregnancy
Labor and Delivery, Take 2
Coordinating Help
Introducing Siblings

Your Second Pregnancy

If you’re here, you already know that second pregnancies are totally different… in more ways

How does a second pregnancy differ from the first?
Your second pregnancy will probably be different to the first time you were pregnant.
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Home PregnancyHub Being pregnant Ask a midwife Your questions, answered by midwives How does a second pregnancy differ from the first?
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A tool for women

It can be tricky to decide when to head to the hospital for labor—especially if you're not sure that you are in labor. As you get closer to the end of your pregnancy, you'll want to be able to tell the difference between false labor and true labor and identify

Doctors To Pregnant Women: Wait At Least 39 Weeks

July 18, 20115:20 PM ET
Heard on All Things Considered

Gretchen Cuda Kroen
7-Minute Listen

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A rendering of a 36-week fetus in the womb.
Photo Researchers

In her living room, Caroline Nagy introduces the newest member of her family —

Moms Tell All: What Childbirth Feels Like the Second Time Around
You’ve been through it before, so a second birth will be a breeze, right? Maybe, maybe not. Here’s what second-time moms say.
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ByKatherine Martinelli
Updated
April 19, 2022
second birth for mom, newborn and older brother in the hospital

What is the Average Labor Time for a Second Baby?

"I keep hearing that a woman's second baby comes faster than her first. Is this true? I want to give myself plenty of time to get to the hospital!"
In This Article

The first stage of labor for a

Signs of labor: A pregnant woman holds her belly during a contraction
(Image credit: Getty)
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Signs of labor
1. The baby drops
2. Regular contractions
False labor contractions vs. real labor contractions
3. Water breaks

You successfully made a baby (that was the fun part!) and by now you have this whole pregnancy thing down. Labor, though, is fast approaching—a fact you may simultaneously dread and cheer. But even if this is Baby #1, you can approach labor and delivery with a clear head.

"Giving birth

First Baby: What to Expect

As your expected due date approaches, you might be wondering what to expect during childbirth. While each labor and birth is unique, the process of a vaginal delivery follows four stages: First Stage (early labor, active labor and transition), Second Stage (pushing and birth), Third Stage