Understanding the Stages of Labor: What’s Happening in Your Body?
Labor and birth can feel like a mystery, but don’t worry - I’m here to break it down for you.
Whether you’re expecting your first baby or just looking for a refresher, understanding what’s going on in your body during labor can help you feel more prepared and empowered. So grab a snack, and let’s get into it!
The Three Stages of Labor
Labor is divided into three stages, and while their names aren’t exactly groundbreaking (First Stage, Second Stage, and Third Stage), each one plays a crucial role in bringing your baby into the world.
First Stage: From 0cm Dilated to 10cm Dilated
The first stage of labor is all about getting your cervix ready for delivery. This is where two key factors come into play: dilation and effacement.
Dilation refers to how open your cervix is, measured in centimeters from 0cm (completely closed) to 10cm (fully dilated).
Effacement is how thin your cervix is, measured in percentages from 0% (thick) to 100% (paper-thin).
These two work together like a team. Your baby’s head applies pressure to the cervix with each contraction, helping it to thin out and open up over time.
We can break the first stage down even further:
Early Labor (0-6cm Dilated)
Contractions may be irregular, coming every 5-20 minutes.
They last about 30-60 seconds.
You may start to feel some discomfort, cramps, and possibly lose your mucus plug.
Movement is your best friend! Walking, using a birthing ball, or trying techniques like the Miles Circuit can help your baby move into position.
Active Labor (6-10cm Dilated)
Contractions become stronger, closer together (about 2-3 minutes apart), and last longer (60-90 seconds).
The pain intensifies, and this is when many people head to the hospital or birth center if they haven’t already.
Your body starts releasing more oxytocin, the hormone that drives labor, creating a feedback loop that keeps things progressing.
Transition (8-10cm Dilated)
This is the most intense (and shortest) part of labor.
Contractions feel overwhelming and may seem nonstop.
Many parents feel out of control or say, “I can’t do this!” (Spoiler: You can, and you will!!)
You may feel intense rectal pressure, nausea, and even vomit.
The goal here is to breathe, stay focused, and know that you’re almost at the finish line!
Second Stage: Pushing & Birth
Once you’re fully dilated, it’s time to push your baby out!
Some people feel a strong urge to push right away, while others may not (especially if they have an epidural).
If the urge isn’t there yet, “laboring down” can help - this means letting contractions move the baby further down before actively pushing. This is something you can chat with your provider about!
Pushing can take minutes or hours, depending on factors like your baby’s position, whether you’ve had a baby before, and how well your contractions are working.
You’ll experience the “ring of fire” as your baby’s head crowns, which is the intense stretching sensation as your baby moves through the vaginal opening.
Controlled pushing can help minimize tearing, so listen to your provider’s guidance!
Third Stage: Delivering the Placenta
After your baby is born, there’s still one more step - delivering the placenta.
This usually happens within 5-60 minutes after birth.
You’ll feel some mild contractions and may need to give a small push.
Your provider will check to make sure the placenta is intact because any retained tissue can cause complications.
If you’re curious, ask to see your placenta - it’s an amazing organ that sustained your baby throughout pregnancy!
Final Thoughts
Labor is unpredictable, but understanding these stages can help you feel more in control and prepared. The key takeaway? Your body knows what to do.
If you want to get even more prepared, check out my guide on creating a birth plan so you can go into labor with confidence!
Stay strong - you’ve got this!
