In which stage of labor is there a brief period of peace before the baby is born?

The second stage of labor begins after the cervix is fully dilated and ends with the birth of the baby. During this period, there is often a brief moment of relative calm, known as the "resting phase," in which the mother may feel a sense of peace before the final effort to push the baby out. This stage is characterized by contractions that can become more intense and frequent as the baby descends in the birth canal, but the moment of calm can allow the mother to gather her strength for the final push.

In contrast, the first stage of labor involves the gradual dilation of the cervix and is typically marked by several hours of increasing contractions and discomfort, without this specific moment of tranquility. The third stage, following the birth of the baby, involves the delivery of the placenta and may present its own challenges and contractions. The fourth stage refers to the immediate postpartum period when the mother is monitored for recovery, and it does not focus on labor as defined in the previous stages. Thus, the second stage uniquely encompasses this brief period of peace prior to birth.