The Stages of Labour

A Quick Introduction To Labour Stages

If you want to prepare yourself for giving birth, and going through labour in particular, then you might want to find out a little bit about the stages of labour. Although it won’t help relieve your pain at the time or make your labour any shorter, finding out about the process will certainly give you a little knowledge of what to expect.

Giving birth will be one of the most profound and wonderful experiences of your life. You will never go through anything else like it, not even if you go on to have a second or third baby because every delivery is different. However, no matter what happens during the birth, there are three distinct labour stages.

First Stage

The first stage of giving birth begins at the moment that you go into labour and will come to an end when your cervix is finally dilated to 10cm. This is easily the longest stage of any labour. It is also the most painful because you can’t concentrate on pushing! It’s a waiting game in effect because you can’t do anything until your cervix is fully dilated.

The first of the labour stages is actually broken down into a further three mini-stages:

· Early labour phase – This phase is literally the earliest beginnings of labour. It goes from the first minute contractions until the cervix is dilated to 3cm. This phase might cause a major panic for a first time mum-to-be but it is easily the best stage. As labour has just begun, any pain you might feel is minor so the best thing to do is relax. Don’t stress yourself out by rushing to the hospital. Rest a little and try to get some sleep if it starts during the night. There isn’t a lot you can do because contractions will be infrequent and be at around 30 minute
intervals. Your waters may break, but you are likely to be in this phase for around eight hours!

· Active labour phase – This much the same as the early labour but encompasses cervix dilation from 3cm to 7cm. Now you can head to the hospital! The contractions will be coming closer together with five minutes or so between each. They will also be a lot stronger so you may be in some discomfort if not pain. This phase will last for around four hours.

· Transition phase – This phase is so called because it takes you directly from the first labour stage to the second as the cervix dilates from 7cm to 10cm. This phase can be as little as 30 minutes but it is by far the hardest phase because the contractions come thick and fast.

Second Stage

The second labour stage begins when your cervix is dilated to 10cm and will climax when you have finished that final push that brings your baby into the world. It can last for anywhere between 20 minutes and two hours. The contractions won’t be as intense or as close together but at least you can push. You should conserve your energy between pushes because it is draining, but at least the worst is over.

Third Stage

The third labour stage actually commences after you have given birth to your baby and covers the delivery of the placenta. You will experience some contractions but only small ones when the placenta comes away from the wall of the uterus. You should deliver the placenta within 5 to 30 minutes. It can gently be pulled away using the umbilical chord once it’s free of the wall. Once this labour stage is over, you can enjoy your baby… and rest!