Hi,

Has anyone had or is anyone opting for a physiological 3rd stage of labour?

I've been researching this and it seems a whole lot better for bonding, but wondering if, in reality, by that stage you would just want it to be all over.

Cherry (37+4) x

Really helpful to get your views and experiences.

I'll put in my birthing plan that ideally I'd like to have physiological 3rd stage especially if birth is straightforward (fingers crossed). Everything I've read is pretty much positive about it and it does seem that actively managed 3rd stage with drugs suits the hospital more than the mother really.

Good article about this if anyone is interested is here http://www.bellybelly.com.au/articles/birth/natura-l-approach-to-labour

Cherry x

I have had a physiological third stage with all four of mine. With Jessica it took nearly an hour to come away but during that time we just stayed in the birthing pool cuddling and feeding and it was fantastic. The cord pulsated for ages and this is excellent to give baby an extra oxygen boost in the beginning whilst they get used to breathing. Having the placenta isn't painful at all and til it comes away there is little/no blood so it's not uncomfortable to wait. xxxxx

I had looked into this when I was researching my homebirth option. I am not having a homebirth now, but still want to deliver the placenta naturally...wait to cut the cord until the placenta has stopped pulcating and have baby on my breast to stimulate placenta release..all in therory! This is what I will be putting on my birthing plan anyway...but come near the time things could all change and I will have to just go with the flow. I could maybe say to leave the placenta for so many minutes and then they can administer the injection if there is no sign of it coming away itself.

tc Sharon 22+4wk bump xx

I didnt opt for this. But i will say that i didnt even realise that the MW gave me the injection for the placenta. I also didnt feel the placenta come out (as i had a epidural) but i managed a good 18mins with my LO before they took her off me to be weighed while they helped to deliever the placenta.
I did have a massive bleed when the placenta came out... but luckily they managed to stop it.

Its upto you. The mws do ask you before they give you it. You could see how the birth goes (cos you cant have cetain pain relief if you want to deliever it yourself) then maybe ask for it not to be given. You may have just had enough by then and want to just get yourself in the bath (if your labour goes smoothly without pain relief) instead of waiting over a hour for it to come out.

Good Luck with the birth.
Stacey & 18wk Olivia
x x x

i havent heard of that do tell what it entails??

tc shell x