A physician may perform an episiotomy, or surgical incision at the openingof the vagina, during the crowning stage. The purpose is to prevent tearingbetween the vagina and the anus as a result of the stretching that occurs.Women are unlikely to feel the incision because the pressure of thecrowning tends to numb the region between the vagina and the anus.To clear the passageway for breathing from any obstructions, mucus issuctioned from the baby’s mouth when the head emerges from the birthcanal. Once the baby is breathing adequately, the umbilical cord is clampedand severed.Stage 3: Delivery of the PlacentaStage 3 is the shortest of all of the stages in the birth process and only lasts5 to 10 minutes. It is during this last stage that, with a few finalcontractions, the placenta detaches from the uterine wall, and the mothercan then push out and deliver the placenta. It is also during this time that aphysician will suture the episiotomy, if one was performed.Approaches to ChildbirthChildbirth practices are usually modeled by the society of the mother andchild. In Western nations, childbirth has changed dramatically over thecenturies. In the late 1800s, birth typically took place at home and was afamily-centered occasion. However, the industrial revolution brought manymore people to the cities, which in turn created new health problems. As aresult, childbirth moved from the home into hospitals, where the health ofthe mother and the baby could be protected. Once doctors began to assumeresponsibility for the health and well-being of both the mother and the child,friends and relatives no longer participated in the birthing event (Borst,1995).