Feel like this is a dumb question....

[proudparent88]

I keep hearing the phrase "transition" what does this refer to when it comes to labor and delivery? I feel like this is a dumb question and I am more embarrassed asking especially since I have two kids and I am pregnant with my third.

 

[Celesse]

Transition is the bit of labour around 8+cm when you want to kill you OH, go home or have a c-section.

 

[proudparent88]

Transition is the bit of labour around 8+cm when you want to kill you OH, go home or have a c-section.

Lol ok I get that part but medically described what is it exactly? Like what happens to my body and my baby during that part? I feel really odd for asking something I should know but can't help it that I don't.

 

[Celesse]

It's just the last bit of the first stage. When contractions are coming close together and are at their most painful, but before the relief of pushing hasn't started yet. There isn't anything medically different from transition to the rest of the first stage other than its just much more intense.

 

[proudparent88]

Oh ok I understand now thanks so much for your help!

 

[Mummafrog]

Heya Don't be embarrassed for not knowing, it is not strictly a 'medical' term, you would be unlikely to catch a doctor saying it, it is more of a midwifery term. As a student midwife we have had lectures about that cover 'transition'. It is like Celesse said, at the end of dilation, when you get to around 10cms, the baby's head (or presenting part) must descend into the birth canal before you start to push, you get the urge to push when the baby's head meets the pelvic floor. At the point where dilation has finished and baby has not quite met the pelvic floor, some woman go through a stage where they panic, want pain relief or use phrases like 'I can't do it anymore'. Because contractions are strong enough to push baby out, but there is no urge to push.
If you have had babies before, you may not have a long transition or notice it at all, because baby tends to descend quickly once the cervix has fully opened.

It is good to know about transition because when you get to that point where you feel like you really can't go on, you're probably about to push baby into the world and you can remind yourself to not take it too seriously

I hope that helped

 

[Alyssa Drough]

I definitely had that 'give me all the drugs!!!' feeling!

 

[proudparent88]

Yea I understand. I didn't have unbearable pain with my first but with Tommy they put me on all fours and had me rock back and forth as my pain was unbearable and he wasn't moving down much. It helped my pain a lot to be in that position and it was just so quick that Tommy was ready and I was able to push! I really know I will be odd for saying this but this is my last baby and I want the chance to realize every part of what is happening to my body during my labor and I still feel like I know nothing about it. I just feel so lost and things.