Stages of Labor

Stages of Labor

Stage One: Early Labor

Early labor is the longest phase of labor and can take hours, days or even weeks. During early labor, your body is learning how to contract. In general, these contractions are more than five minutes apart and last anywhere from 15-45 seconds. Contractions in early labor are usually mild, might be uncomfortable and are similar to menstrual cramps. You might notice backache, nausea and mild diarrhea. Your cervix is 1-4 centimeters dilated.

Tips for getting through early labor:

• Be patient. Early labor can take a while. Try not to watch the clock or worry about timing contractions. When you need to time the contractions, you’ll know.
• You could easily have ten, twenty or thirty minutes between contractions. Enjoy the breaks! If it’s the middle of the night, try to sleep between the contractions.
• Distract yourself! Go for a walk, read a book you’ve been dying to read, work on thank you notes or baby announcements. Journal or paint your belly cast. Go to a movie or go shopping. Make a lasagna or cake with your best friend.
• You may not feel much like eating, but you should try. Try to eat high protein, high carbohydrate foods that will give you long-lasting energy.
• Drink lots of fluids. If you don’t feel like eating, try to get calories through your fluids. Drink water, smoothies, chicken broth and power drinks.
• If contractions are getting stronger and closer together, get your things together and call your labor support.

Stage One: Active Labor

In active labor, you are no longer wondering whether or not you’re in labor--you know you are. The contractions are now 3-5 minutes apart and lasting 45-75 seconds. These contractions are much stronger, and you may be feeling some pressure in your pelvis and against your cervix. You might be seeing some bloody show (bloody mucus similar to menstruation blood) and should have to concentrate through the contractions. In active labor, your cervix is 5-7 centimeters dilated.

Tips to get through active labor:

• Remember that active labor is much shorter than early labor.
• Continue to distract yourself until you need to concentrate.
• You should go to your birthing facility unless you’re planning a Home Birth.
• Practice your breathing patterns.
• Change positions frequently.
• Try a warm shower/bath.
• Your support personnel should be actively supporting you with comfort techniques such as massage, praise and encouragement and protecting the birthing environment.

Stage One: Transition

Transition is the shortest phase of labor. You’re now 7-10 centimeters dilated. These contractions are very intense and should be lasting 75-90 seconds. They will be nearly on top of each other with less than a minute in-between. You might experience nausea/vomiting, chills and hot flashes. You might see a great deal of bloody show and feel an intense urge to push if you don’t have an epidural in place.

Tips to get through transition:

• Remember that this phase is very short and contractions will not get any harder. And after you get through transition, it’s time to push!
• Women in transition are extremely irritable, so don’t be inhibited. If you’re support people aren’t helpful, tell them how to be helpful.
• Listen to your body to find the best position.
• Use breathing patterns.
• Relax as much as possible between contractions.
• Remember to take it one contraction at a time.
• Try to focus on your baby, not on the discomfort of the contractions.

Stage Two: Pushing

The second stage of labor is pushing. You start pushing when your cervix is complete or 10 centimeters dilated. These contractions are usually further apart than transition contractions. You will feel an intense urge to bear down if you don't have an epidural. If you do have an epidural, you should feel rectal pressure.

Pushing Tips:

• Remember that pushing can take up to three hours or longer depending on your care provider.
• Only push during the peak of the contractions and relax as much as possible in-between.
• If you don’t have an epidural, experiment to find the most comfortable position for pushing.
• Try to relax your jaw.
• Push downward and not into your face or legs.
• If you feel a burning sensation, push into it, not away.

Stage Three: Delivery of the Placenta

The third stage of labor is the delivery of the placenta. Many women don’t even notice this stage—they’re so caught up in their baby! You might notice mild contractions, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Your care provider will tell you when to push out the placenta. If you’re curious, ask to see the placenta.