Final stage of labour
Once your baby is born, the hard work of giving birth is over. However, there is a little more pushing to do. The placenta, which has provided your baby with nutrients and oxygen over the previous nine months, is no longer needed and detaches itself from the wall of the uterus. Delivering the placenta is known as the third stage.
Of course, by then you'll have your precious bundle in your arms and will probably not be giving much thought to what else is going on. But it’s quite common to feel your tummy contracting every five minutes or so to release the placenta from your uterus.
Before labour, you will be asked if you would like an injection to speed up the third stage. If you opt for the injection, delivery of the placenta usually takes about 10 minutes and without the injection it can take up to an hour. It's best to get all the information from your midwife so you can make a well informed decision beforehand.
If you have any other questions about this third stage, our team of experienced mums, a midwife and healthcare professionals are here to help. Speak to them in confidence on 0800 996 1000, or try Live Chat - our instant messaging service available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.
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