This is sometimes referred to as the "pushing" stage. The third stage or labor begins right after the birth of your baby and ends with the delivery of the placenta. Every pregnancy is different, and there's wide variation in the length of labor. For first-time moms, labor often takes between ten and 20 hours. For some women, though, it lasts much longer, while for others it's over much sooner. Labor generally progresses more quickly for women who've already given birth vaginally.
The first stage of labor is the longest stage, especially if you are giving birth for the first time, and can last anywhere from days to a few hours. Early labor usually takes the longest amount of time and transition the shortest.
Some caregivers prefer a call sooner, so clarify this ahead of time. Some providers will advise you to stay home as long as possible, especially if you are hoping to have a low-intervention, unmedicated delivery. The last part of active labor is called the transition period because it marks the shift to the second stage of labor.
Transition can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. It's much more likely to be fast if you've already had a vaginal delivery. If you're laboring without an epidural, this is when you may begin to lose faith in your ability to handle the pain, so you'll need lots of extra encouragement and support from those around you. Once your cervix is fully dilated, the work of the second stage of labor begins: the final descent and birth of your baby.
With each contraction, the force of your uterus — combined with the force of your abdominal muscles if you're actively pushing — exerts pressure on your baby to continue to move down through the birth canal. ACOG guidelines call for fewer or delayed labor interventions in low-risk women who are progressing normally through labor.
Use the toilet periodically. Continue to urinate regularly: A full bladder can slow down your progress. During the third and final phase of labor, called transitional labor, your cervix will dilate to 10 centimeters as you experience strong contractions about every two to three minutes, though it can vary.
Very strong and painful contractions. Because they're spaced only about two or three minutes apart, it may seem like you barely get to relax before the next contraction begins. Full dilation. Your cervix will dilate from about 7 to 8 centimeters up to the final 10 centimeters — when it will be time to deliver your baby. Bloody show will increase, as capillaries in the cervix rupture. Pressure in your back and abdomen.
General discomfort. You may feel sweaty, chilled, shaky or achy. One or both legs may be completely numb if you've had an epidural. And you may have other forms of discomfort too, though you may not experience any of these symptoms. Fatigue and drowsiness. This last phase of labor can be physically demanding and draining, but it can also be exhilarating. You may feel impatient — or elated. Hang in there!
Resist the urge to push. Pushing before dilation is complete could cause your cervix to swell, which can postpone delivery. If you feel the urge to push, ask your practitioner or doula for guidance. Try to relax between contractions with slow, deep, rhythmic breathing. Speak up. Ask for an epidural, if you want one. Your birth team will tell you when it's no longer possible to have one. Be prepared to wait some more.
Keep your eye on the prize. That bundle of joy will soon be in your arms! Some moms may begin to experience early labor symptoms such as dilation and effacement days or even weeks before labor starts in earnest, while others may only have noticeable early labor contractions for two to six hours. Active labor may last anywhere from about two to 24 hours though the average is two to three-and-a-half hours , while transitional labor can last anywhere from 15 minutes to about three hours.
At a certain point, your practitioner may rely on interventions to get things going or speed things up. How many times you've given birth.
The position of your baby. Having certain complications or other issues. The three phases of labor are the first part of a larger picture: The three stages of childbirth. Pushing and delivering your baby. Your baby has been growing in amniotic fluid the bag of waters in your uterus. When the bag of waters breaks, you may feel a big rush of water. Or you may feel just a trickle. What are signs that you may be close to starting labor? You may be close to starting labor if: Your baby drops or moves lower into your pelvis.
This is called lightening. It means that your baby is getting ready to move into position for birth. It can happen a few weeks or even just a few hours before your labor begins.
This is called show or bloody show. It can happen a few days before labor starts or at the beginning of labor. At a prenatal checkup, your health care provider tells you that your cervix has begun to efface thin and dilate open. Before labor, your cervix is about 3. Once labor starts, contractions help open your cervix. You have the nesting instinct. This is when you want to get things organized in your home to get ready for your baby.
You need your energy for labor and birth. What are false labor and Braxton-Hicks contractions? What is preterm labor? What are stages of labor? Last reviewed: December, Help save lives every month Give monthly and join the fight for the health of moms and babies. Week by week Learn how your baby grows each week during pregnancy. BabyLiveAdvice lets you tap into a virtual network of nurses, midwives, lactation consultants, nutritionists and health professionals for support when you need it most.
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What are stages of labor? What is a birth plan? What is a doula? Having a doula can help: Shorten your labor Reduce your need for pain medicine during labor Reduce your risk of needing a cesarean birth or the need for your provider to use forceps or suction with a vaginal birth Your baby get a good Apgar score at birth.
Your baby gets an Apgar test right after birth to check his overall health. The test checks his heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes and skin color. What happens in the first stage of labor?
Early labor For most first-time moms, early labor lasts about 6 to 12 hours. During early labor: You may feel mild contractions that come every 5 to 15 minutes and last 60 to 90 seconds. You may have a bloody show. This is a pink, red or bloody vaginal discharge.
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