The Three Stages of Childbirth

Labor is different for every woman. Each of the three stages of childbirth will follow the same basic outline but don't get stuck on anyone’s "text book" description of labor. Yours will progress in a totally unique way all your own.

The Stages of Childbirth: Stage One
The first stage of childbirth is often described in two or even three different phases. The first phase is called early labor. During early labor your cervix begins to slowly thin out or "efface", and eventually begins to dilate a few centimeters. Labor is meant to be a gradual process. Early labor can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days or even a few weeks. It is so gradual that it is sometimes broken down into two sub-stages all by itself. The first stage being the initial effacement or thinning of the cervix with the second stage starting when the cervix actually begins to dilate. Early labor usually lasts until the cervix has dilated 3-4 cm. During this time you may or may not feel contractions. Don't be too disappointed if you don't. Be patient, stay relaxed. Take this time to finish any final projects or preparations before labor gets active!

The second phase of the first stage of childbirth is known as "active labor". Active labor is usually the stage of labor women fear the most. It is the stage when most of the "labor" takes place. Active labor takes place as your body keeps effacing and dilating and reaches 10cm or full dilation. Most women know they are in labor by the time this phase is happening. Most textbooks will describe this phase as lasting 6-8 hours with contractions coming around 3-5 minutes apart or less. Once again remember that labor is gradual. For you, this phase could take a few hours or it may take days or weeks. Contractions do not always have to be painful to be working. So again, don't be too disappointed. Relax and take labor as it comes. Your baby will be here soon!

The last part of the active phase is often called transistion. The transition phase covers the final stages of dilation and effacement. The cervix reaches 10cm and your body transitions from opening to pushing. This can be the most intense phase of labor. Contractions are often around 2-5 minutes apart or less and are lasting 60-90 seconds at a time. Many women feel they can't go any farther at this point. Don't give up! You are almost there!

The Stages of Childbirth: Stage Two
This is the most exciting part of the stages of childbirth: the delivery! Finally the moment you have been waiting for! You have fully dilated and effacement is complete! You are ready to deliver your baby!

The birth phase can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple hours so again, be patient. Knowing you can now push is, for many women, a huge relief! A breath of fresh air! After laboring for hours a new surge of hope runs through you. You can now actively participate and see the finish line ahead! You are almost done! Keep relaxing as much as possible and let your body do the work. As the baby begins to make its decent into the birth canal you may feel an urge to push or bear down. Just listen to your body and work with it. Don't try to force anything. If you feel the urge to push, go with it! If you don't, don't worry. Knowing how to push will be instinctual if you are listening to your body. Just go with what feels right. Again, your body knows what it is doing. Allow it to finish giving birth to your baby. As the head crowns, let go of tension. Allow your body to open. After the head is delivered the rest of the baby usually slides out more easily. Congratulations! You have just given birth!

The Stages of Childbirth: Stage Three
Giving birth is not the end. During the third stage of childbirth you will deliver the placenta and prepare for recovery. You will continue to have mild contractions and usually within 10-15 minutes the placenta will be delivered. If it takes longer, don't worry. Just relax. The placenta will come when it's ready. Contractions are not over. The uterus will continue to contract as it shrinks back down to normal size. If you had any tears they will be stitched up. Most women don't pay a whole lot of attention to this third phase because there is something much more interesting to focus on: your new baby! Take this time to hold, feed, and enjoy your new baby! These are the moments that make it all worth it!

After the three stages of childbirth are complete you will now move on the postpartum stage. Take it easy and relax. Enjoy your new baby and treasure these first moments and days together!

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