What happens during the placental stage after a baby is born?

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A series of medical illustrations showing the stages of childbirth: the baby's position at the onset of labor, flexion, internal rotation of the head, extension, external rotation of the head, and the uterus immediately after birth with the placenta and umbilical cord. — birth Sequential changes in the position of the child during labour.

Following the birth of a child, the third stage of labor—known as the placental stage—begins. Because the uterus cavity diminishes significantly after the infant is expelled, the site where the placenta is attached shrinks, causing the placenta to separate from the uterine lining.1

Subsequent uterine contractions then complete this separation and push the placenta into the vagina. Finally, the mother uses a bearing-down effort to expel the placenta, which is also referred to as the afterbirth. This entire process is typically brief, rarely lasting longer than 15 minutes. If the separation is delayed or accompanied by bleeding, medical intervention, such as surgical removal, may be required.1