Stages of labor and giving birth
One of the scariest parts of giving birth is not knowing what to expect when it comes time to deliver your baby. Everyone's experience is unique, so your childbirth story will probably be different from that of your friends. Even though there's no way to know exactly how your labor will progress, understanding what's happening with your body may help you feel better prepared.
While no two women will have the same experience, there are three stages of labor you'll progress through during and after a vaginal delivery.
Stage 1
Stage one covers everything from prelabor until you're fully dilated and ready to push. During this stage, your contractions can range from very mild to very intense. Your cervix will start to ripen at the start of stage 1 and by the end will be dilated to 10 centimeters. There are three parts to stage 1, including:
Early labor. This is the start of labor, but you may not even realize it. Your cervix will start to ripen so it can open. You may feel mild, irregular contractions. This stage can last for many hours or even days. Thankfully, this is the least intense phase of labor. You may notice some bloody mucus or discharge from your vagina. This is called bloody show and is a sign your cervix is getting ready for birth.
You should call your doctor or midwife when you think you're in prelabor. You probably won't need to go to the birthing center yet, but your doctor can tell you when to come in and what to do in the meantime. During this phase, you should try to stay as calm and comfortable as possible. Some things you may want to do include:
- Try walking around and moving.
- Sleep if your labor begins at night.
- Eat some light snacks such as toast or a banana if you feel like it.
- Drink fluids such as water or sports drinks.
- Practice relaxation and breathing exercises.
- Take a warm shower.
- Bounce on an exercise ball.
Active labor. Once you're dilated to six centimeters, you're in active labor. You will probably be in the hospital or birthing center. During this phase, your cervix will dilate to eight centimeters. Your contractions will become stronger and more painful. They will last about 45 seconds and will be around three minutes apart.
This phase usually lasts four to eight hours. If your water hasn't broken yet, it may now. If you want an epidural or other anesthesia, you'll be able to get it at this time. During this phase, you might want to:
- Walk around in the hallways.
- Try to relax between contractions.
- Give a copy of your birth plan to the hospital staff if they don't have it.
- Drink liquids but don't eat solid food.
- Go to the bathroom often to make room for your baby to move into the birth canal.
- Start pain medicine if you're using it.
- Tell your nurse if you feel the need to push, but don't start pushing until you've been examined.
Transition. This is the most painful and difficult phase of labor. Your contractions will be intense, lasting 60 to 90 seconds, and will come close together. This phase usually lasts 15 minutes to an hour. You may feel a lot of pressure in your lower back and rectum. You may also feel an urge to push or bear down. Let your nurse or doctor know if you do. At the end of this phase, you'll be 10 centimeters dilated and ready to deliver your baby.
Stage 2
Once your cervix is fully dilated, your doctor or midwife will support you as you start pushing. You will probably feel an overwhelming urge to push as well as a lot of rectal pressure. You'll still feel contractions, though they may not be as intense. This is often referred to as the pushing stage. If your progress has stalled or you're uncomfortable, you may want to move into a different pushing position. When your baby's head is visible at the opening of the vagina, it's called crowning. You may feel a stretching, tingling, or burning sensation when this happens. This stage can last from 20 minutes to two hours. It's usually longer for first pregnancies.
Stage 3
After your baby is delivered, you'll be in the third stage of labor. You'll be able to relax and focus on your baby. This is when your placenta will be delivered. You'll still have some contractions and after-pains, but they won't be nearly as painful. Your doctor will probably ask you to push one more time to deliver the placenta. You're likely to feel elated, happy, and relieved as you hold your baby.
This stage is usually over in about 20 minutes. Your doctor will press on your stomach to check your uterus, which may be painful. If you need a tear or episiotomy repaired, your doctor will do that now. Physically, you may be cold, shaky, and have chills.
During this stage, you will probably be able to start nursing your baby. Skin-to-skin contact will help keep your baby warm and help you bond with them. You will continue to have mild contractions to help your uterus shrink. Your doctor will monitor your vital signs and check to make sure you're okay. If you had anesthesia, your anesthesiologist will check to make sure you're recovering from that.
SLIDESHOW
Conception: The Amazing Journey from Egg to Embryo See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Stanford Children's Health: "Overview of Labor."
Tommy's: "The latent phase of labour."
University of Washington Medical Center: "The Stages of Labor and Birth."
Top What Does Labor and Giving Birth Feel Like Related Articles
Childbirth Delivery Methods and Types
There are various childbirth delivery methods and types such as the Lamaze method, the Bradley method, water birth, and assisted births. Options for where a woman can deliver her baby include home birth, a birthing center, and a hospital. The method and type of labor and delivery options should be discussed with a woman's doctor.
Braxton Hicks Contractions (False Labor)
Braxton Hicks contractions are also known as false labor pains. Though these irregular uterine contractions may occur in the second trimester, they're more likely to occur during the third trimester of pregnancy. Unlike true labor pains, false labor pains are often irregular, may stop when you walk, rest, or change positions, and the contractions do not get closer together or stronger.
Braxton Hicks vs. True Labor: How to Tell the Difference
Some pregnant women may mistake Braxton Hicks contractions (false labor) for real labor contractions, especially in the first pregnancy. Real labor contractions occur at regular intervals that become progressively shorter; more painful as labor progresses; are described as a tightening, pounding, or stabbing pain. Braxton Hicks contractions do not occur in regular intervals; do not become longer over time; and may disappear for a period of time and then return. Braxton Hicks contractions occur in third trimester of pregnancy, however, sometimes can occur in the second trimester. True labor contractions begin around your due date (unless your baby is preterm, in which you will be in preterm labor). So how can you tell the difference? Here are a few similarities and differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and True or real labor contractions.Braxton Hicks contractions
Braxton Hicks contractions tend to become more frequent toward the end of pregnancy, and are not as painful as real labor contractions; do not occur in regular intervals; do not become longer over time; and may disappear for a period of time and then return.
Labor contractions
Frequently one of the early symptoms and signs of true labor is when the contractions begin to occur less than 10 minutes apart.
Real labor
Real labor contractions occur at regular intervals that become progressively shorter; more painful as labor progresses; are described as a tightening, pounding, or stabbing pain; may feel similar to menstrual cramps; and sometimes Braxton Hicks contractions can be triggered by dehydration, sexual intercourse, increased activity of the mother or baby, touching of the pregnant woman's abdomen, or a distended bladder.
Natural and home remedies to soothe and provide comfort for Braxton Hicks contractions include relaxation exercises like deep breathing or mental relaxation; change positions or take a walk if you have been active and rest; drink a glass of herbal tea or water; eat; or soak in a warm bath for 30 minutes (or less).
Preterm labor signs and symptomsWhen you have reached 37 weeks, and the contractions are more painful and are increasing in frequency you will have abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping, an increase in pelvic pressure or back pain, and the contractions are more than four contractions an hour.
Am I Pregnant Quiz
What are early pregnancy symptoms? In some women, symptoms range from a missed period to feeling lightheaded. Others may experience typical "morning sickness" and food cravings. Could you be pregnant? Take the quiz!
Labor Symptoms (Early Signs)
Every woman's experience with labor and delivery is unique for each woman, and thus "Normal" labor varies from woman to woman. Some of the common signs and symptoms of normal labor include the "baby dropping," increase urination, back pain, contractions, and diarrhea.
How Long Does Labor Last for First-Time Moms?
Labor is the process by which a baby is born. Labor for a first-time moms typically lasts for 12 to 18 hours.
Labor and Delivery
Early and later symptoms and signs of labor and delivery are unique to each woman. Early signs of labor are "lightning" and passing the mucus plug. Later symptoms and signs that labor that labor is are the woman's water breaking, and when contractions begin. There are three stages of labor, stage 1 is the longest and occurs when the cervix begins to thin and dilate. During stage 2 of labor the baby passes through the birth canal and remains there until delivery, and stage 3, is when the baby is delivered.
How Long Does It Take to Go Into Labor After Being Induced?
In most healthy pregnancies, labor usually starts spontaneously between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. The onset of labor is characterized by softening and opening of the cervix, following which the uterus starts contracting and the water breaks.
Pregnancy (Week by Week, Trimesters)
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary by stage (trimester). The earliest pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue, and bloating. Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. Eating a healthy diet, getting a moderate amount of exercise, also are recommended for a healthy pregnancy. Information about the week by week growth of your baby in the womb are provided.
Pregnancy: Multiple Births, Twins, Triplets, and More
Multiple births occur when a woman bears twins, triplets, or even more babies during pregnancy. More multiples are born today thanks to assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization using fertility drugs. Women carrying multiples often give birth via C-section.
Pregnancy Myths and Facts Quiz
Being pregnant is a delicate time for both mother and baby. Take this pregnancy myths and facts quiz to separate the myths and facts about being pregnant, and learn the truth behind healthy pregnancies!
Pregnancy Planning (Tips)
Pregnancy planning is an important step in preparation for starting or expanding a family. Planning for a pregnancy includes taking prenatal vitamins, eating healthy for you and your baby, disease prevention (for both parents and baby) to prevent birth defects and infections, avoiding certain medications that may be harmful to your baby, how much weight gain is healthy exercise safety and pregnancy, travel during pregnancy.
Stages of Pregnancy: Week by Week
See pictures on the various stages of pregnancy. See and learn what changes a woman's body goes through and view fetal images of how her baby grows during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters.What Are the 4 Stages of Labor?
The 4 stages of labor are: dilation of the cervix, delivery of the baby, afterbirth, and recovery. Learn more about what to expect during each stage.