2nd Stage of
10. Uses gravity to help babys descent, allows
Labor
Second stage of labor starts when cervical
dilation reaches 10cm and ends when baby is
delivered
Average from 30 minutes 3 hours depending
on many variables
Laboring Down
Instead of forcefully and actively pushing with
each contraction immediately after reaching
10cm, laboring down allows your body to
naturally bring baby further down and rotate
while you follow only natural urges to push.
Conserves energy, and lasts about 1-2 hours
for rest between contractions
Labor Positions A position that makes you the most
comfortable/works best for you is key
Pushing tips
Push as if you're having a bowel
movement.
Tuck your chin to your chest.
Stay focused. Maintain control and try to
avoid frantic pushing
Change positions.
Rest between contractions.
Breathing Techniques
Lift your chin, and arch your back a little. Either: Breathe
deeply, relaxing your body. Or: Pant, blowing lightly. Some
people recommend visualizing a feather, and blowing just
enough to keep the feather bouncing up and down in the air
above your lips.
Breathe in deeply, then on exhale, gently push downward
with abdominal muscles, while visualizing the baby
moving down and out. It may help to grunt or vocalize
1. For rest and relaxation while exhaling. Continue this pattern through the
2. May relieve back pain, helps baby get in
contraction.
best position Pushing the baby out: During a contraction, when the urge
3. Relieves back pain, allows for res between to push becomes irresistible, then hold breath for five to
contractions, helps baby get in best seven seconds, while pushing. Then breathe deeply in and
position out again until the urge to push becomes strong. Repeat
4. Uses gravity to help baby descent, opens
pelvis
5. Uses gravity to help baby descent, opens
pelvis
6. Uses gravity to help baby descent, allows
for rest between contractions
7. Uses gravity to help baby descent, allows
for rest between contractions
8. Allows for rest and relaxation, open pelvis
9. May relieve back pain, helps baby get in
best position
through contraction.

Johnson, J., Sommer, S., Roberts, K., Redding, S., & Chruchill, L. (2013). Registered nurse maternal newborn nursing (9th ed.).

Kansas City, MO: Assessment Technologies Institute.

Lowdermilk, D. L., Perry, S. E., & Cashion, K. (2014). Maternity nursing (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.