It’s the feeling created when the baby is crowning – when it’s head is pushing on the vaginal opening – and stretching the tissues there.
And why is it called the ring of fire during childbirth?
Because it’s a burning sensation happening all around your vaginal opening (so it’s a circle, or a “ring”).
(Honestly, you can get a “sort of” idea of what this feels like by stretching your mouth open as widdddddde as possible- use your fingers in each side of your mouth to stretch it farther – only, know that whatever you come up with that way- the ring of fire in childbirth IS worse.)
This doesn’t generally happen early in labor – I mean, unless your baby is coming VERY fast.
The ring of fire usually comes right before baby makes his appearance – USUALLY. (I’ll explain shortly how that was NOT the case in my first delivery!)
It also USUALLY only lasts a very brief time.
Crowning is often referred to as the “ring of fire” in the birthing process. It's when your baby's head becomes visible in the birth canal after you've fully dilated. It's the home stretch — in more ways than one.
What is the Ring of Fire giving birth?
