The 3 Stages of Labor

Labor has three stages. The first stage, which includes early and active phases, prepares the body for birth. Early labor can last from hours to days, especially for first-time mothers. The cervix softens, thins out (effaces), and opens (dilates). A woman's water typically breaks, and contractions become strong and regular, lasting 30-70 seconds every 5-20 minutes. A 'bloody show' (stringy, bloody discharge) is also common.

Active labor begins when the cervix dilates more quickly. Contractions become stronger, longer, and more frequent. The cervix continues to dilate to about 10 centimeters, at which point pushing can begin.

In the second stage, the child is born. A healthcare provider encourages pushing to move the baby down the vagina, which can last for minutes or hours. Once the baby's head 'crowns,' the provider guides the rest of the baby out. Childbirth is complete when the baby is fully delivered, and the umbilical cord is cut and clamped.

The final stage involves delivering the placenta, also known as the afterbirth, which supplied food and oxygen during pregnancy. Five to ten minutes after birth, contractions resume, detaching the placenta from the uterus. The woman may be encouraged to push again, and after 5-30 minutes, the placenta is delivered completely, concluding the labor process.