The stages of labour, explained simply
A calm walk-through of the three stages of labour and what your body is doing at each one.
Labour is usually described in three stages, and it can help to know roughly what each one involves. Remember that every labour is different, and yours may not follow a neat timeline. That is completely normal. Think of these stages as a map, not a set of rules.
The first stage is when your cervix (the neck of your womb) softens, thins and opens to about 10cm. It often begins with the early or latent phase, where contractions are usually shorter, milder and irregular. This phase can last a while, sometimes over a day or two, and it is often easiest to spend it at home, resting, eating little and often, and staying hydrated. As labour becomes established, contractions usually grow longer, stronger and more regular, and your cervix opens more quickly.
The second stage begins once your cervix is fully open and lasts until your baby is born. You may feel a strong urge to push, a bit like needing to empty your bowels. Your midwife will help you find positions that feel right and will guide your pushing with each contraction. This stage can take minutes or a few hours, and being upright or moving can sometimes help.
The third stage is the birth of the placenta (the afterbirth). You can have an injection to help this happen more quickly, or wait for it to come away naturally. Your midwife will talk this through with you, often before labour, so you can decide what feels right for you.
Throughout all of this, your midwife is watching you and your baby closely and will explain anything that changes. There is no prize for coping silently, so do say if something does not feel right or if you need more support. You are allowed to ask questions at any point.
This is placeholder content and will be reviewed by a midwife before going live.
Source: NHS