The third stage of labor: delivering the placenta explained
Often overlooked in birth stories, this final stage of labor deserves its own explanation too.
The delivery of the placenta is the third and final stage of labor: it's the expulsion of the placenta and membranes after the baby is born. It usually happens 5 to 30 minutes after birth, driven by new contractions that are often milder than the ones felt earlier.
Most places of birth offer 'active management' by default: giving oxytocin, gentle controlled traction on the cord, and uterine massage after the placenta comes out. This approach lowers the risk of postpartum hemorrhage compared to purely physiological management (waiting without intervention).
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Once the placenta is delivered, the care team examines it carefully to make sure it's complete — a fragment left behind in the uterus can cause bleeding or infection later on. The uterus is also checked by hand to confirm it's contracting well.
If the placenta doesn't come out within the usual time frame, it's called a retained placenta, a situation that requires intervention (manual removal or, more rarely, surgery) to avoid complications. It's relatively rare, but your team will monitor this stage closely.
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This information is general and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional (doctor, midwife, nurse, pharmacist). Every situation is unique: always check with them before making a decision. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.
