The stages of labor: What to expect during childbirth

Bringing new life into the world is an incredible journey filled with anticipation. As your due date comes closer, your maternity care team will be by your side to support you through all stages of labor and delivery.

From the first contractions to the baby’s first cry, understanding the stages of labor will prepare you for when you finally meet your baby, as well as calm any anxieties that any expectant parents feel.

Here’s what you need to know about the stages of labor and what to expect during each step of this life-changing experience.

Signs of labor

As you near your due date, pay attention to how you feel and any signs that you may be going into labor soon. The first signs of early labor are often: 

• Intermittent, mild cramping and contractions, which can last hours to days  
• Thin, pink, mucous-like discharge  

If you’re concerned by any symptoms or if something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to contact your obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) or visit the emergency room.

As labor progresses, your symptoms will likely intensify. Depending on your birth plan and guidance from your OBGYN, these signs signal it’s a good time to travel to the hospital or a birth center:

• Active, bright red bleeding
• The rupture of membranes, commonly known as your “water breaking”
• Contractions that last longer than 1 minute, occurring every 5 minutes or less, for at least 1 hour
• Changes in the baby’s movement
• Pain that can’t be managed by over-the-counter medications, baths, movement or massage

If you experience any of these signs, it’s important to make note of what time they started or occurred, as this can help your healthcare team understand where you are in your birth journey.

What are contractions?

One of the earliest signs of your body being ready for labor is contractions. Contractions are your uterine muscles tightening in a downward thrust. These muscle movements cause the fetal head to be pushed down against the cervix, which makes the cervix widen—known as dilation. This pressure on the cervix also causes the hormone estrogen to be released, leading to more contractions.

Contractions start slowly and intermittently to allow the cervix to stretch before dilation. As labor progresses, contractions get longer, stronger and closer together.

How to manage labor pains

As your body prepares for labor, it can feel uncomfortable or painful. Take this time to focus on resting and caring for your body, so you have energy and strength for the journey ahead of you.

There are some things you can do to manage labor pains, including:

• Rest
• Hydrate
• Take over-the-counter medications
• Take a bath
• Use a heating pad

The 4 stages of labor

Labor is divided into four stages. Let’s walk through what you can expect during each stage.

Pre labor

This early stage is not officially a part of the labor process, but it is preparing your body for labor. This stage often takes place when you arrive at the hospital or birthing center and involves a cervical exam to determine:

• Dilation, the size of your cervix
• Effacement, how thin the cervix is
• Station, how far down the baby’s head is

Your healthcare team may bring you into a labor and delivery room to ripen the cervix with a pill or a gel substance and prepare your body for birth. This is a normal part of labor and is nothing to be worried about. You will have a cervical exam and will need to lie flat for a little while. Afterward, you may experience mild cramping.

Stage 1: Labor

The first stage of labor is when you begin to feel persistent contractions and an urge to start pushing. The first stage of labor is divided into two parts: early and active labor.

Early labor

Early labor is the longest stage of labor. During this phase, you will progress from 0 to 4-6 cm of dilation. You can expect to feel contractions that are intermittent and usually mild, but that vary in intensity and frequency.

Active labor

Active labor is shorter in duration than early labor and usually lasts 4-8 hours. It includes the progression from 6-10 cm of dilation. During this phase, the contractions are stronger and more regular.

If you’re still at home, it’s important to head into the hospital during this phase of labor, so you can deliver safely with your care team’s support.

Between stage one and stage two of labor, there is a transition phase, which is the shortest part of labor and typically lasts between 15-60 minutes. The transition phase is brief but can be intense and painful. You’ll experience pressure in your lower back and rectum.

Stage 2: The birth of your baby

After transition, the second stage of labor is when you start pushing—that means you’re close to meeting your baby! Your healthcare team of nursing staff or midwives will be at your bedside the entire time.

This phase can last up to 4 hours (but it can be 2-3 hours for first-time moms). Your nurse will coach you on how to push, guiding you throughout your baby's birth.

Your OBGYN or the provider on call will be there when you are ready to deliver. If needed, any other specialists may be present when it's close to time for the baby to be born. They’ll continue to coach you through each push until your baby is born.

Stage 3: Delivering the placenta

The third and final stage of labor is after the baby has been born. While you’re soaking in the newborn snuggles with your precious little one, your care team will focus on the next steps for your care.

The umbilical cord will be clamped, and your healthcare team will deliver the placenta. Your provider may ask you to do a few more pushes to facilitate delivery.

After the placenta is delivered, the provider will assess and repair any perineal tears. Keep in mind that tearing is extremely common during childbirth and is nothing to be afraid of. Your provider will talk you through any follow-up care if you do experience tearing.

Your birth team

Your healthcare team, including nurses or midwives and your OBGYN or the provider on call, will be with you at every stage of labor. Their role is to support you and your partner, as well as ensure the safety of you and your baby through labor and delivery.

They are also there to educate and reassure you by keeping you informed about what’s happening and what to expect. Your OBGYN is a key part of the team by setting the care plan and will be checking in with you and the nursing staff throughout the phases of labor.

Always remember that this is your birth experience, and we want it to be everything you’ve dreamed of. We’re here to support your goals every step of the way.

Postpartum support

Your support and care continue beyond the birth of your baby. During your hospital stay, you’ll receive care from a postpartum nursing staff dedicated to caring for both you and your baby, typically in the same room.

While you focus on resting, bonding with your baby and breastfeeding if you choose to do so, your nurses will make sure you and the baby are well. You’ll also have access to other resources like lactation support, food services, pediatric specialists and more.

After you leave the hospital, it’s recommended to continue seeing your OBGYN during the postpartum period. Most OBGYNs will want you to schedule a check-up around six weeks post-delivery.

There are also many support groups, classes and resources available to you as you adjust to the many challenges and joys of motherhood, including Baylor Scott & White's virtual program for postpartum moms. With the Postpartum Care program, you'll have access to comprehensive virtual postpartum support designed to help you and your little one through those unforgettable early days of life.

From immediate answers to your concerns to real-time guidance from healthcare providers, the program offers trustworthy, reliable advice at every step of your journey. Connect with virtual postpartum support today.