Second Stage: Pushing

As the second stage starts and the baby descends into the vagina, or birth canal, you can finally start to push. The walls of your vagina widens for the baby's passage down and the gripping pain of contractions that you experienced during the first stage now changes to a stinging sensation as your perineum - the external tissue between the vaginal opening and anus - stretches to accomodate the baby's emerging head and body.

After some time, your perineum will begin to bulge with each push and your baby's scalp will soon become visible. With each successive push, your baby's head continues to advance until it crowns - when the widest part of the head is visible - followed by the emergence of his shoulders, and then his body.

Once your baby has been delivered, you'll feel intense relief and of course you'll be overwhelmed by feelings of pride, joy and excitement of having finally brought your little one into this world.

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