3 Stages Of Labor
- 1st Stage of Labor: cervix opening and thinning to 10cm dilated and 100% effaced, while baby also moves down in the pelvis;
- 2nd Stage of Labor: pushing to the birth of the baby
- 3rd Stage of Labor: placenta being born
- After labor is the fourth stage, postpartum, also known as the fourth trimester.
Each stage has distinct features that distinguish it from other stages, but within the first stage are different phases that can be confusing to differentiate!
Stage 1: Labor
The first stage of labor is what we typically think of when we think of labor: the contractions! This stage of labor can be broken down into smaller phases: early labor, early active labor, active labor, and transition. We talk more in depth on how to tell labor progress in this blog post!
Early Labor
During early labor, you feel contractions, but they feel crampier. You are usually around 0-3 cm (but please note that dilation does not necessarily ALWAYS equal phase of labor). Contractions may be 10+ minutes apart at this point.
Usually the longest phase of labor! Can last hours or days!
Temperament:
- Contractions are easy to move, walk, talk, and sleep through. They are noticeable but not distracting.
- Usually, no support is required during contractions.
- Generally unphased by contractions.
Early Active Labor
During early active labor, you may think you are further along than you are because you are needing more support during contractions.
During this phase, you are around 3-5cm dilated and contractions are usually 4-10 minutes apart.
Temperament:
- Needing support during contractions
- Cannot walk or talk easily through them, but could force it
- Returns to the space mentally in between contractions (this is key!!)
- You can continue conversations easily in between contractions
- Still aware of your surroundings
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Active Labor
During active labor, we have shifted in temperament!
Usually, you are around 6-8cm dilated and contractions are 2-3 minutes apart.
Temperament:
- Needing support during contractions
Increased vocalization during contractions - In labor land in between contractions
- No longer engaging in a conversation between contractions
- No longer aware of surroundings or mentally present
- In their own world
- Eyes closed, quiet in between contractions
Transition
The final phase of the first stage of labor, and usually the shortest phase (30 minutes to 2 hours).
This phase is filled with a flood of stress hormones to help the baby transition after birth. But these stress hormones can trigger a flight or fight response.
Temperament:
- Comfort measures seem less helpful
- Overwhelmed, confused, feeling defeated, suddenly anxious
- Fears may be voiced or internalized
- Ranges from calm and composed to chaotic and emotional
Stage 2: Pushing
At the end of transition, you may feel lots of constant pressure in the perineum or the sensation of needing to have a bowel movement.
You may also begin to spontaneously bear down or start pushing without control.
If you begin to spontaneously bear down, it is okay!
If you are not sure if you are 10cm yet, don’t add to the pushes, but don’t feel the need to fight it. Relax as much as possible with the spontaneous bearing down, but do not add extra to the push yet. You do not need to stop it!
If you have an epidural or don’t begin to spontaneously bear down, your provider or nurse may do a cervical check and let you know that is it time to push!
This phase lasts from when you start pushing until baby is born! It is common for this phase to last a few hours, especially for first-time moms!
Stage 3: Placenta
After your baby is born, your placenta needs to be born!
This can happen a few minutes later, or you may be waiting a little bit (usually within 30 minutes).
How your provider manages the third stage of labor may vary, so discussing with the prior to birth can be helpful for your expectation management.
When your placenta has detached, you may feel that you start shaking uncontrollably. This is due to a release of oxytocin to help your uterus contract and clamp down on itself to stop the bleeding.
In addition, shaking is the simultaneous release of the catecholamine hormones that were released at the end of labor, which can make room for oxytocin!
Your provider may prompt you to do a small push to help the placenta be born. After the placenta is out, you are officially not pregnant anymore!
And then you’re postpartum!
Learn more about the stages of labor and what to expect during birth in our childbirth education courses, offered online, virtually via zoom, and in-person in our training facility in Aberdeen NC!