The placenta
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The third stage of labour is from the birth of the baby to the delivery of the placenta and membranes, the bag that held the water and your baby. It can last from five minutes to over an hour.
Many women who've had a straightforward labour like to complete the process naturally and keep the baby's cord attached until it stops pulsating. This means you'll be holding your baby with his umbilical cord still long and dangling, attached to the placenta inside you.
When the pulsating has stopped, the cord is clamped and cut and the placenta separates naturally. You'll feel a period-like pain and with a little push the placenta will pop out. This shouldn't hurt, and often women get up and sit on the loo for this bit.
Other mums-to-be prefer a quicker, 'active' or 'managed' third stage. This is advised if you've had intervention during labour, such as an epidural or forceps. An oxytocic drug, which will encourage contractions, is injected into the mum's outer thigh as the baby's born. This drug can make you sick afterwards, so consider doing it naturally if you can.
- Next: what about after the birth?
More help and advice
- What happens when you're induced?
- Embarrassing pregnancy questions answered
- Caesarean births explained
- Pain relief options during labour
By Anne Richley
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- Next: After the birth
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Where to next?
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A guide to epidurals
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A guide to gas and air
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A guide to TENS
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Advice for dads-to-be
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All you need to know about Caesareans
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Assisted deliveries
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Caesarean link to childhood asthma
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Caesareans explained
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Choosing a birthing partner
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Choosing the right birth partner
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Common pregnancy worries
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Common pregnancy worries: 3rd trimester
