Stages of Labor and Delivery

There are three distinct stages of labor and delivery that you need to know about. Why?
Because each stage requires different actions from you so that you have the best
possible birth experience.



In the hospital your stages of labor and delivery will be measured by pelvic exam to
determine how dilated you are. This is a poor measurement of your progression
because there is much more going on during labor than simply your cervix opening up.
First Stage
During first stage labor your cervix is effacing (getting thinner) and dilating (opening
up). First stage labor is considered complete when your cervix is fully dilated and your
body switches from opening contractions to expelling contractions.



There are three phases to first stage labor. Each has its own physical and emotional
signs. Women also have very different needs in each of these phases.
arly Stage of Labor - the majority of your labor will likely be in this stage. Ranging
from 8-15 hours, contractions are usually between 30 and 55 seconds long and 5-20
minutes apart.
Active Labor - this stage generally lasts 3-5 hours. Contractions are 60 seconds long
and 2-4 minutes apart.
Transition - this is the shortest stage and most intense stage. It marks the complete
dilation of your cervix. Typically only 10-60 minutes long, contractions are 70-90
seconds in length. Generally women only have between 5-10 transition contractions.
Only 30% of women realize that they are even going thru transition.
Second Stage
Second stage labor, best known as pushing stage , starts after you have complexly
dilated. The top of your uterus will now start contracting down towards your cervix to
expel your baby.



Ranging from 20 minutes to 2 hours long, pushing contractions are around 60 seconds
long with 5-10 minute breaks between pushing contractions.
Third Stage
Third Stage labor is the delivery of the placenta . You will likely be too busy marveling
over your brand new baby to notice this stage.



It is best if third stage is not rushed by attendants pulling on the cord. The placenta
usually detaches between 20-40 minutes after your baby is born.
For more information about third stage check out placenta delivery
ow far along are you?
s we mentioned above, pelvic checks are a poor way to assess how far along in the
labor stages you are. Pelvic checks only measure dilation, effacement and station.
These physical signs just one of the many way to assess how prepared your body really
is.

Midwives are less likely to perform pelvic exams because they know that your
emotional state, mental state and physical state *in combination* are a much better
measure your labor stages. For information about how labor feels from a physical,
emotional and mental perspective, click on the hyperlinks in blue above. This will give
you in-depth information about each of the labor stages so you can easily assess how
far along you are.
Delivery presentations