Stages of Labor: What’s happening, What helps
Welcome, soon-to-be parents! This guide is designed to be your "childbirth manual," a friendly, step-by-step companion to prepare you for the incredible journey of labor and birth. We'll break down the process into stages, describing the typical changes you can expect. Remember, every labor is unique, but the process is remarkably constant. Trust your body; it knows what to do.
Stage One
This stage encompasses the very beginning of labor, when contractions start, all the way through active labor, when your cervix is almost fully dilated.
Prodomal Labor:
What's Happening: The cervix begins to soften, thin, and move forward, and it may start to open. The baby settles into the pelvis. Contractions may feel like an achy sensation or pressure in the lower abdomen or back. They're usually irregular, starting and stopping, sometimes strong, sometimes mild. This phase can last from a few hours to a few days.
What Helps: Don't worry if this is "real" labor. Trust your body. Take care of yourself: eat, drink plenty of fluids, rest, or take a walk. Surround yourself with people who make you feel comfortable and safe.
Early Labor (Latent Phase):
What's Happening: The cervix continues to thin out and open, dilating to 3 or 4 centimeters. This phase may take a while, usually about two-thirds of the total labor time. Contractions become longer, stronger, and more regular (about 5 minutes apart, each lasting 25 to 45 seconds). A pinkish vaginal discharge ("show") usually increases.
What Helps: Take time to settle down and work with the labor. Rest and activity (walk followed by a shower), eat easily digested foods, and drink plenty of fluids. Many women find it best to stay home during this phase. When contractions become strong, use relaxation and breathing strategies. Keep the environment pleasant. You may want help to decide when to go to the birthing center. Traditionally women have used the 5-1-1 rule; that is, when contractions come every 5 minutes, each lasting a full minute, and have been that way for an hour. More recent recommendations are 4-1-1 (four minutes apart) or even 3-1-1 (three minutes apart). However, listen to your body and trust your instincts. If you feel it is time to go to your birthing center, follow that instinct.
Active Labor:
What's Happening: Contractions become longer and stronger, eventually about 3 minutes apart and lasting a minute or more. During this phase (2 to 6 hours), the cervix effaces and dilates to about 8 centimeters. Women in active labor usually get very focused.
What Helps: Listen to your body and develop a rhythm. Do something active during contractions, such as breathing in a pattern or moving around, and rest between contractions. As contractions increase, so does your need for support. Change positions frequently. Make the environment peaceful and personalize it.
Transition:
What's Happening: The cervix finishes dilating and effacing. Contractions are now powerful and efficient, so this phase is usually quite short (less than an hour). Some women feel nauseous, shaky, restless, or irritable.
What Helps: Focus on one contraction at a time. Continue with breathing, vocalization (if it helps), and rhythmic movement. Rest periods are short but allow you to relax. Those providing labor support should offer close, undivided attention, unwavering encouragement, and praise.
Stage Two: Birth
What's Happening: Your body shifts from dilating to pushing. The baby makes their way down through the pelvis and birth canal. This phase can last from 15 minutes to several hours. You'll likely get an urge to bear down.
What Helps: Follow your body's instructions. Take normal breaths as contractions build and push when it becomes irresistible. Make sounds (like athletes do). Labor supporters should provide quiet, reassuring encouragement. Change positions if progress is slow. Let go of any tension in your perineum. Rest deeply between contractions.
Stage Three: Recovery
What's Happening: The cord is cut, and your baby is dried and placed on your abdomen. The placenta is delivered, usually within the first 10 minutes.
What Helps: Touch, caress, and cuddle your baby without time constraints. Keep them skin-to-skin from the moment of birth. This is a good time for your first breastfeeding, which tightens the uterus and decreases bleeding. All routine infant procedures can be done without removing the baby from your side. Request that measuring, weighing, and applying eye medication be delayed for a few hours.
