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Birthing your placenta (third stage of birth)

The third stage of labour happens after your baby is born, when your womb contracts and the placenta comes out through your vagina.

There are two ways to manage this stage of labour:

  • active – when you have treatment to make it happen faster
  • physiological – when you have no treatment, and this stage happens naturally

Your midwife will explain both ways to you while you're still pregnant or during early labour, so you can decide which you would prefer.

There are some situations where physiological management is not advisable. Your midwife or doctor can explain if this is the case for you.

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