Everything You Need to Know About the Different Stages of Labour

Labour is often described as the contractions you get leading up to the birth of your baby. But it actually goes on until your placenta is delivered. Labour is divided into three stages. In this article, we will understand in detail about the three stages of labour.

What are the stages of labour?

Labour is divided into three stages:

1. First stage

The first stage of labour starts with the opening of the cervix, the neck of the uterus.

2. Second stage

The second stage of labour begins when your cervix has dilated 10cm and you start pushing the baby out. The second stage lasts until the baby is born.

3. Third stage

After delivering the baby, the third stage of labour kicks in, when the placenta is delivered.

What happens in the first stage of labour?

The first stage of labour is often the longest. It is further broken down into three stages, namely the early, active and transitional phases.

1. Early phase or pre-labour

The early phase of labour is also known as the latent period or pre-labour. During the early phase, the uterus begins to contract or tighten. The contractions gradually become more regular and painful. As the cervix begins to open, its position in the pelvis changes. It moves ahead, softens and effaces, which means that it begins to get thinner and springier.

Every woman has her own unique rhythm and pace of labour. Some women may not even be aware of the initial contractions and may be several centimetres dilated before they realise they are in labour. Other women, on the contrary, may have painful contractions from the start.

2. Active phase of labour

Doctors say you are in active labour when your cervix has dilated or opened to 3cm or 4cm. Your contractions will start getting stronger, more frequent and longer. Eventually, they may come as frequently as every three to four minutes and last for 60 to 90 seconds.

3. Transitional phase of labour

During the transitional phase of labour, the cervix dilates from 8cm to 10cm. Contractions may last for over a minute and come every two to three minutes. Some women begin to feel shaky, shivery and sick during the transitional phase.

You may also like: Follow These 6 Labor Tips and Rock Your First Birth

What happens in the second stage of labour?

Once the cervix has dilated to 10cm, the second stage of labour begins. This is when you feel the urge to push your baby out. Your baby will gradually slip down the birth canal. There's often a lull at the end of the first stage when the contractions stop, and you and your baby can rest for a while. When the contractions start again, you'll sense the pressure of your baby's head between your legs. With each contraction and every push, your baby will move down through your pelvis a little, but at the end of the contraction, slip back up again. As long as the baby keeps on moving on a little further each time, you're both doing fine.

The doctors and nurses may encourage you to push stronger and harder during the contractions. Some doctors may even yell at you, thinking that the pressure might make you push harder. Sometimes doctors also pat the thigh or back of the woman in labour to urge her to push harder. If you get annoyed or hassled by these techniques, ask them to tone things down. This is your baby's birth so feel free to do it in a way that makes you comfortable.

You may also like: Why Is Enema Given During Pregnancy?

When the baby's head is far down in the pelvis and stretching the opening of the vagina, most women feel a hot, stinging sensation and this is known as crowing. As your baby's head begins to come out, the doctor may ask you to stop pushing and gently pant. This makes sure that the baby is born gently and slowly, and should reduce the risk of tearing your perineum or needing an episiotomy. If you have had a baby or babies before, the second stage may only take five or ten minutes. If this is your first baby, it can span several hours.

What happens in the third stage of labour?

The third stage of labour begins when you have delivered the baby but are yet to deliver the placenta. Contractions will begin again a few minutes after the baby is born, but they won't be as intense. These contractions cause the placenta to detach from the uterine wall and come down to the bottom of the womb. The placenta along with the membranes of the empty bag of water attached will pass down and out through the vagina.

Delivering the placenta usually takes less than 15 minutes, but sometimes it can take up to an hour. It depends on whether you have a managed or natural third stage. The doctor will carefully examine the placenta and membranes to make no remains have been left behind. They will then check that your uterus is contracting hard in order to stop the bleeding.

Closing Thoughts

Once you are through with the three stages of labour, rejoice in this beautiful time with your baby and partner. Welcome to parenthood!