Stages of Labour
What Your Body Does • What You May Feel • What to Expect
Labour unfolds in three stages, each with its own purpose and sensations. Every labour is unique, but these patterns are common and normal.
First Stage of Labour
Cervix softens, opens, and prepares for baby to move down.
The first stage has three phases: early labour, active labour, and transition.
Early Labour (Latent Phase)
The longest and most gradual stage.
What’s happening
- Cervix thins (effaces) and begins to open to about 3–4 cm
- Contractions help soften and prepare the cervix
Typical contractions
- 5–30 minutes apart
- Last 30–45 seconds
- Mild to moderate; may feel like strong period cramps
- Often ease with movement, rest, or warm water
How long does it last?
- Average: several hours to 8+ hours
- First-time parents may experience it over 1–2 days
- Often manageable at home
What you can do
- Rest, hydrate, eat lightly
- Use a bath or shower
- Try positions, walking, or breathing techniques
- Stay calm – your body is doing exactly what it needs to do
Active Labour
The cervix opens from 4 to 8 cm and things become more intense.
Typical contractions
- Every 3–5 minutes
- Last 45–60 seconds
- Stronger, deeper “waves” that wrap from back to front
What’s happening
- Baby descends into the pelvis
- The amniotic sac may rupture (“water breaking”)
- Your body releases endorphins – natural pain-relief hormones
How long does it last?
- Usually 3–4 hours
What you may feel
- More focus and less interest in conversation
- Increased pressure in the pelvis or low back
Transition Phase
The final opening of the cervix – 8 to 10 cm.
This is the shortest but most intense part of labour.
Typical contractions
- Every 1–3 minutes
- Last 60–90 seconds
- Strong, gripping, full-body sensations
How long does it last?
- Usually 15 minutes to 1.5 hours
What you may feel
- Shaking, nausea, sweating
- Pressure in the rectum
- A strong desire to give up – a very normal sign that you’re close
Why it matters
Transition means: you’re almost ready to meet your baby.
Second Stage of Labour
Pushing and birth
Once fully dilated (10 cm), baby begins to move down and rotate through the birth canal.
Contractions
- May feel slightly less painful than transition
- Space out to every 3–5 minutes
- You may feel an involuntary urge to push
Pushing
- Guided by your inner instinct and your care providers
- Often 1–2 hours for first-time parents
- Much shorter for those who have birthed before
Crowning
- Baby’s head becomes visible at the vaginal opening
- You may feel the “ring of fire” as tissues stretch
- This sensation usually lasts only a moment
- Your provider may ask you to slow your pushing to protect the perineum
Birth
- Baby’s head is born, then shoulders, then the rest of the body
- Baby is brought directly to your chest for warmth, bonding, and initial assessments
- Cord clamping is done according to your birth plan
Third Stage of Labour
Birth of the placenta
After your baby is born, your uterus continues to contract to expel the placenta.
What to expect
- Mild cramps or a feeling of fullness
- Placenta delivered within 5–30 minutes
- Your provider checks that the uterus is firm and the bleeding is controlled
- If needed, gentle uterine massage or medication (such as oxytocin) may be used
If you had a tear or episiotomy, your provider will repair it during this stage.
A Final Word
Labour is a process, not a single moment. Your body and baby work together with exquisite intelligence every step of the way.
