At first these pains occur from 10 to 20 minutes apart and are not very severe. They may even stop completely for a while and then start up again. The mother should rest when she is tired but need not be lying down continuously. She may sleep between tightenings if she can. She can take a little water or perhaps tea during the entire labor process. She should urinate frequently during labor so the bladder will be as empty as possible at the time of birth. The skin in the vaginal area of the mother should be sponged occasionally with soapy water. Special attention should be given to cleaning the inner sides of the thighs and the rectal area with heavy lather. Soap or water should not be allowed to enter the vagina. A slight, watery, bloodstained discharge from the vagina normally accompanies labor pains or occurs before the pains begin. For first babies, this stage of labor may continue for as long as 18 hours or more. For women who have had a previous baby, it may last only 2 or 3 hours. The end of this first stage is usually signaled by the sudden pressing of a large gush of water (a pint or so), caused by the normal breaking of the bag of waters which surrounds the baby in the mother's womb. For some women, the bag of waters breaks before labor begins or perhaps as the first sign of its beginning. This should not cause the mother or those helping her any concerns. It usually does not seriously affect the birth. Through this first stage of labor, the mother does not have to work to help the baby be born. She should not try to push the baby down, but should try to relax her muscles. She can help do this by taking deep breaths with her mouth open during each tightening. [Illustration: A. At full term, or after 40 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is ready to be born. The cervix through which baby must leave the uterus is shown clearly here, still closed. The contractions of the muscles of the uterus will open the cervix, and force the baby down through the vagina, or birth canal, to the outside.] [Illustration: B. At the end of the first stage of labor the cervix is completely open and the baby's head is beginning to come down through the vagina. Contractions begin in the lower back and later are felt in the lower abdomen. At the time shown here contractions are probably coming every 2 minutes, lasting 40-60 seconds and very strong.] [Illustration: C. The first stage of labor usually lasts several hours and is hard work. The mother needs to relax, rest, and be reassured. Give her water and fruit juices. In this picture the second stage of labor is well along. It is shorter than the first stage and the mother will now be pushing down with each contraction, helping to force the baby into the world. ]