The Stages of Labour and Delivery

As your due date gets closer, you may be thinking more about labour and delivery and what’s in store for you when the time comes. Our article will cover the 3 stages of labour – comprised of 4 phases – and what happens in the first, second and third stage of labour. So, read on to discover the difference between each stage, how long each stage may last and the transition period between them.

How Many Stages of Labour Are There?

Childbirth, which consists of labour and delivery, is divided into phases. Many parents-to-be wonder how many stages of labour there are; are there 3 or 4? This can be tricky to keep straight, but there are 3 stages of labour, with the first stage usually divided into 2 phases:

• Stage One: Labour

  • Latent labour (Also known as early labour)

  • Established labour (Also known as active labour)

• Stage Two: Pushing and delivering the baby

• Stage Three: Placenta delivery

Below we’ll go into depth regarding each stage of labour and delivery, so you get a better idea of what to anticipate. Just remember that every birth is unique, so what is considered a typical labour and delivery might not be exactly what you’ll experience. You may also want to check out some tips and advice to help prepare for labour and delivery.

What Is the First Stage of Labour (Stage 1)?

The first stage of labour has two phases: the latent phase (early labour) and the established phase (active labour). When does labour start? It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact start of labour, but the latent phase typically starts when your cervix begins to dilate and irregular contractions start. While the established phase of labour typically starts when contractions become stronger and more regular, and your cervix has dilated to about 4 centimetres. The first stage of labour usually consists of the common early signs and symptoms of labour, such as having contractions that are shorter and set further apart and losing your mucus plug.

What Is Early Labour (Latent Stage)?

Early labour, commonly known as the latent stage of labour, is when irregular contractions start to occur and your cervix experiences dilation and effacement. It’s the start of the birth process, and you’re probably not at the hospital yet. As early labour progresses, those contractions will get closer and closer together. You might not know what contractions feel like if you’ve never experienced them before, so you may not know what to anticipate. Unlike Braxton Hicks, which are false contractions, true labour contractions feel like pain or pressure and occur like this:

• Pain or pressure starts in your lower back, moving around and toward your lower belly.

• Your belly might feel tight and hard.

• In between contractions, you will likely feel the same area relax and soften.

So, how long does early labour last? The 1st stage of labour tends to last the longest. No two pregnancies are the same, so it’s helpful to consider the entire first stage of labour as one interval. If this is your first delivery, the average time for the latent (early) phase ranges from a few hours to a few days. Once labour is established (active phase), this phase may last around 8 to 18 hours for the first baby. It can be shorter if this is your second or subsequent baby, lasting around 2 to 10 hours. Of course, this is individual to each person and timeframes can vary a lot.

Early Labour: What Can You Do?

As far as stages of birth go, this initial phase of labour is an exciting time. It’s when everything starts to feel real! So, what can you do to support yourself during early labour and help ease the discomfort of those early signs and symptoms? Here are a few ideas:

1. Take a stroll and stay active if it’s during the day.

2. Eat and drink something to give you energy for when labour becomes established.

3. Relax with a warm bath or shower.

4. Play music that helps you calm down.

5. Practice any relaxation techniques or breathing methods you’ve learned.

6. Move often, changing your position.

What Is Active Labour (Established Stage)?

After the latent stage of labour comes the transition to active labour, also known as established labour. When is active labour? Though everyone is different, the signs of active labour are when your

• contractions are stronger

• contractions are closer together

• cervix is dilated to about 4 centimetres.

When your contractions are every 5 minutes or more frequently and your waters break, it could be time to contact your midwife or maternity unit and head to the hospital. That’s because during active labour, things can move quickly, and your cervix dilates rapidly during this labour stage.

Before you check in, the staff will determine whether you're in true active labour by taking steps such as tracking the timing of your contractions or performing a pelvic exam. Your medical team will also be checking your vital signs, your baby’s position, and your little one’s heart rate.

Though one of the most important active labour signs is dilation of about 4 centimetres, it’s during this labour stage that your cervix will continue to dilate to 10 centimetres. Active labour can last up to about 18 hours. Other signs of active labour include:

• Your waters breaking (if it hasn’t already)

• Stronger contractions that are two to three minutes apart and lasting anywhere from 40 to 60 seconds

• Back pain

• Leg cramps

• Feeling nauseated

• An urge to push (but it’s not time for that yet!).

Active Labour: What Can You Do?

The process of giving birth, especially during active/established labour, can be a waiting game. You’re waiting for your cervix to be 10 centimetres dilated before you can move on to the 2nd stage of labour, which is pushing and delivery. So, what can you do during these active labour hours? After checking with your midwife and getting the OK, you could do the following:

• Practice relaxation techniques and breathing exercises you may have learned in your childbirth classes

• Walk the halls of the hospital or birth centre

• Take a shower or sit in a water bath

• Urinate often to empty your bladder

• Resist the urge to push (pushing too soon can cause swelling, pain and tearing)

• Sip clear liquids, such as water, but avoid eating any solid food.

What Is the Second Stage of Labor (Stage 2)?

The 2nd stage of labour is probably the most exciting phase—it’s when the baby is delivered! This birth stage includes pushing and delivery and begins when you’re 10 centimetres dilated and labour pains intensify. As every labour experience is different, it's a good idea to discuss pain management with your midwife beforehand, such as when you're preparing your birth plan.

If you’re having a vaginal birth, you'll know it’s time to start pushing when

• Your midwife or doctor confirms that you’re fully dilated

• Your body feels the urge to start truly pushing

• Your contractions feel a little different, stronger and more painful, coming about every two to five minutes and lasting 60 to 90 seconds.

Though this stage of labour is often shorter than the first stage, lasting anywhere from mere minutes to two or three hours, it’s intense. If you’re a first-time parent pushing for more than three hours, or if you’ve given birth before and pushing for more than two hours, your midwife and doctor may suggest

• an assisted vaginal delivery (using forceps or a vacuum device)

• turning your baby into a better birthing position (if, say, the baby is in a breech position)

• a caesarean section.

However, if you opt for an epidural, this stage may be allowed to go on longer without the interventions listed above, as long as your body is making progress.

Second Stage of Labour: What Can You Do?

Unlike the first labour stage, this phase is all about pushing, so you’ll be with your midwife (and labour partner if you opt to have one), settled in your desired delivery position while listening to their instructions. Here’s how stage 2 of the birth process typically goes:

1. When contractions occur, you'll be instructed to bear down on them while pushing.

2. As your baby’s head appears, you might feel stinging or burning as the opening of your vagina (perineum) stretches, which is totally normal.

3. Once your little one’s head is completely out of the birth canal, you’ll continue pushing as instructed to deliver each shoulder.

4. After the shoulders are out, things tend to go fast, and your sweet new baby will be delivered fairly quickly at this point.

5. Your midwife will check your baby, and then they or your labour partner will cut the umbilical cord.

What Is the Third Stage of Labour (Stage 3)?

The third and last stage of labour and delivery occurs when your baby is fully delivered, and it’s time to push out the placenta. In terms of what to expect after giving birth, this labour stage, which is the shortest stage, could last up to about 30 minutes or so. You’ll still feel contractions but they’ll be far less painful and much closer together. Their purpose is to help the placenta detach from your uterus.

1. Once separated from the uterus wall, the placenta moves down into the birth canal and eventually to the vagina. Once again your midwife will instruct you to bear down and push. The midwife may even assist you by gently guiding the placenta out.

2. Once the placenta is out, you still might feel some contractions in your uterus. The body is truly amazing, as these contractions help the uterus slowly shrink and naturally seal the blood vessels. Your midwife might give you some medication or massage your stomach to help with this process so as not to lose too much blood.

How Long Does Labour Last?

Every pregnancy and labour experience is different, so the duration of the 3 stages of labour and the total amount of time involved will vary from person to person.

However, there are some general timing ranges to keep in mind to help you prepare and know what to anticipate.

• First stage of labour. For first-timers, the latent (early) phase of the first stage can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days before labour becomes established. Once labour becomes established (the active phase), the process could last 8 to 18 hours. If you’ve given birth before, the process usually goes faster but can still last up to 10 or more hours.

• Second stage of labour. Once you’re fully dilated and you start pushing, it's possible that you can meet your new baby in a matter of minutes! But the pushing and delivery phase of labour can also last a longer time, up to two or three hours.

• Third stage of labour. This labour stage can be quick, lasting up to 30 minutes.

Stages of Labour Timeline and Chart

Here’s a timeline and easy-to-read chart to help explain the 3 stages of labour. You can also download a copy to have the information readily available when you need it.

The Bottom Line

As you get ready for delivery, it helps to know a little more about each of the 3 stages of labour. Though everyone is different, you can at least get a better idea of what each stage entails, what you can do during each stage, what to expect from your midwife, and what your labour partner can do to help. We hope this article gives you some peace of mind, knowing your little one will eventually be on their way!

In the meantime, enjoy those final moments of pregnancy. As you prepare for your baby’s arrival, don’t forget to sign up for the Pampers Club app, where you can get discounts on what every parent needs: nappies and wipes.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service (NHS). You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}