The stages of labour

Labour is usually described in three stages, and having a rough map of them helps the whole thing feel less like a mystery — even though every labour is different and rarely follows the textbook exactly.

The first stage is the longest, and it’s all about your cervix opening. It starts with early (latent) labour — irregular, manageable contractions as your cervix softens and begins to dilate — which can go on for hours, or even a day or two, and is usually best spent resting and staying comfortable at home. It builds into active labour, when contractions become regular, longer, stronger and closer together, and your cervix opens more quickly. Towards the end comes transition, often the most intense stretch, when many people feel they “can’t do it” — which is, paradoxically, often the sign you’re nearly there.

The second stage is the birth of your baby — from when your cervix is fully open to when your baby is born. You may feel a strong urge to push with each contraction. This stage can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours, and your midwife will guide you on when and how to push, and on positions that help.

The third stage is delivering the placenta, which usually comes away within an hour of the birth. You’ll be offered an injection to help it along and reduce bleeding, or you can discuss a physiological (natural) third stage — something worth noting in your birth plan.

Transition — the end of the first stage — deserves a special mention, because it can be the most overwhelming part and it catches many people off guard. It’s normal to feel shaky, hot or cold, nauseous, teary, or suddenly certain you can’t go on. Paradoxically, those feelings often mean your baby is almost here. You may also feel the urge to push start to build. It’s best not to actively push until your cervix is fully open and your midwife confirms you’re ready, as pushing too early can cause swelling — they’ll guide you on timing. When you do push, working with each contraction rather than holding your breath and forcing, and using upright or supported positions, can help your baby move down. It can take a while, and that’s completely normal.

Throughout, your contractions, your baby’s heartbeat and your wellbeing are monitored, and your care team is there to support and guide you. How long it all takes varies enormously — first labours are often longer — so try not to measure yourself against anyone else’s story.

Knowing the shape of these stages won’t make labour predictable, but it can make it far less frightening: you’ll have a sense of where you are and what’s coming next. Your midwife will be your guide the whole way through.