What You Need to Know About the Ring of Fire, the Final Stage of Childbirth
Ring of fire during childbirth: what is it and how to overcome the pain?
Widespread on prenatal discussion forums, the expression "ring of fire" refers to the burning sensation felt by the mother-to-be at the time of expulsion.
" I want to be prepared for this possible pain and know what to expect so that I can be truly relaxed on the day of delivery, without any fear or apprehension ," says one expectant mother on a forum. " I felt this sensation but I don't feel like it lasted ," says another. An expression used to describe the last stage of childbirth , the famous "ring of fire" raises many questions and worries among expectant mothers. But what is it really? Here are some answers.
What's the ring of fire in pregnancy?
When your baby's head presses on and expands your vaginal entrance, you may experience a scorching, stinging sensation known as the "ring of fire." In the event that you have an epidural, you could not feel it. The ring of fire is excruciating, but it only lasts a few minutes. During crowning, you might be able to view your baby's head in a mirror or reach down and feel it.
If your baby is crowning—that is, their head is visible in your vaginal opening—after giving birth vaginally, you can experience what is referred to as the "ring of fire." The fire is the scorching, stinging feeling you could experience, and the ring is the circle the baby's head forms as it presses against and strains your vaginal entrance. It's a positive indicator that your kid is almost here, and even though it sounds frightening, it doesn't last long.
The ring of fire is not felt by all women. This feeling might not be present if you get an epidural, or it might be a dampened burning sensation. Alternatively, you can experience pressure alone—no burning.
When does the ring of fire happen?
The last seconds of the second stage of labor are when the ring of fire occurs. When you are fully dilated, the second stage begins, and it concludes when your baby is born. You will push your kid out during this period.
The second stage, which often takes many hours for first-time mothers, might take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Your baby could only need a few more contractions to be born after their head is visible.
As soon as they see the baby crown, your midwife, nurses, or labor coach may advise you to stop pushing. This allows the skin between your vagina and anus, known as the perineum, to extend sufficiently to accommodate the baby and lessen or avoid tearing. You may need to use deep breathing exercises or relaxation techniques to inhibit your want to push because the goal is to push slowly and deliberately.
The ring of fire can be really excruciating, as you might anticipate, depending on whether you're using painkillers and how well they work. Some women try to stop pushing or try to push less forcefully in response to the pain. However, you must make every effort to endure any discomfort and give birth.
Luckily, the fire ring only lasts a few minutes at most. Stretching the vaginal tissue too thin blocks its nerves, causing the area to go numb.
What else happens while my baby is crowning?
You can probably reach down and touch the top of your baby's head when they are crowning. If they have hair, you might be able to feel it damp. You might want to observe your baby's head emerge in a mirror.
In order to avoid ripping, your practitioner may apply pressure to your perineum throughout the crowning process. They might also use a light massage or warm compresses. In the uncommon event that you require an episiotomy, it will take place right away. Additionally, your provider may use a vacuum or forceps if your infant need assistance. However, in most cases, neither an episiotomy nor aided birth are required.
What happens after crowning?
The head and shoulders of your baby will be born immediately after crowning, which typically occurs during the following contractions. The remainder of your baby's body will eventually slide out. This indicates that the placenta's delivery, the third and last stage of labor, has begun.
