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July 2026 Childbirth Graphics Newsletter: The Ring of Fire in Childbirth
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The Ring of Fire
When people hear of the “ring of fire”, they generally think either of the Pacific Ring of Fire (known for volcanic eruptions) or the rousing song made famous by Johnny Cash (and co-written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore) about the passionate power of falling in love. No matter the context, a ring of fire symbolises a time of massive import and powerful change.
It’s no wonder, then, that the “ring of fire” when used in the field of childbirth also denotes an amazing transition—one signalling the power of new birth and the creation of emerging and growing families.
Read on to learn more about childbirth’s very own ring of fire, and discover some our great labour and birth teaching tools that are ideal to educate expectant parents about what happens during this monumental aspect of the birthing process.
What Is the Ring of Fire?
When the cervix is fully dilated at 10 cm, crowning occurs. The baby is crowning when the baby’s head is at its widest part through the vaginal opening and it remains visible (not slipping back inside) between contractions.
As the baby is crowning, the mother often experiences an irritating, burning, stinging sensation whilst the vaginal tissues are stretching as much as possible to accommodate the baby’s head. For some, it is a building tightness that seems to erupt into a powerful painful sensation. This burning sensation is known as the “ring of fire” or “rim of fire”. Fortunately, the burning pain usually doesn’t last long, and it is followed by a numbness caused by the blocking of vaginal nerves that occurs once the baby’s head has stretched out the vaginal tissues.
Not everyone experiences the ring of fire, and women who have had an epidural block may not feel it at all. When crowning occurs, it is important to follow the healthcare professional’s instructions about when to push. Pushing too soon or too forcefully may result in the tearing of tissue before it has the chance to stretch fully as the baby’s head passes. Some healthcare professional’s may recommend techniques such as perineal massage, changing positions, or using warm compresses to help alleviate pain.
Great Tools to Teach About Crowning and the Ring of Fire
Childbirth education model sets, such as our Cloth Pelvic Model Set (available with beige, brown, or dark brown Foetal Models) are ideal to present and discuss the full scope of labour and delivery with expectant parents, including topics such as crowning and the ring of fire.
For example, with the Cloth Pelvic Model Set, you can move the Foetal Model’s head through the Cloth Pelvic Model covered by the Perineal Cloth Model and demonstrate crowning along with the thinning of vaginal tissues as crowning occurs. Watch our video demonstration of the Cloth Pelvic Model Set in use.
One of the most effective cervical effacement and dilation teaching tools ever devised, our Knitted Uterus/Vagina Model is made of variegated blue acrylic yarns that differentiate the fundus, lower segment, cervix, and vagina (attached with snaps). Using it with one of our Foetal Models (available in beige, brown, or dark brown), you can use the model to demonstrate and discuss crowning and the ring of fire, showing the stretching and thinning of tissues around the vaginal opening.
With 12 full-colour front panels and comprehensive presentation notes on the back, our The Process of Giving Birth Flip Chart covers a full-range of birth topics, with images covering from conception to birth through the involution of the uterus. One colour panel features a depiction of foetal crowning, whilst the panel’s presentation notes uses text and illustrations to discuss the crowning process, perineal support, and intact perineum/laceration/episiotomy. Accompanying text explains also that the goal is to have a controlled delivery, allowing the perineum time to stretch and remain intact instead of tearing.
