Stages of Labor and Delivery

When most people talk about the stages of labor and delivery, they are generally referring to the 3 stages of Active Labor (which follows "early" or "latent" labor).  Of course, there's no bright line dividing the first from the second. Where one leaves off and the other begins will vary from woman to woman and birth to birth.

There's a wide variation among women in many aspects of the process. The length of time is different for everyone and from child to child. The amount of pain also differs. And the post-birth consequences will vary for each woman and baby. In 75% of women who carry to term, delivery is within 12 hours. Only 2% will be in labor for more than 24 hours. 

Thee stages of labor and delivery are:

Stage 1:  Cervix is dilated and effaced
Stage 2:  The actual birth
Stage 3:  Delivery of the placenta

Stage One of Labor

During the first stage of labor the cervix will dilate to about 4 cm (1.5 in) and contractions begin lasting 30 to 60 seconds, about five minutes apart. This stage can last anywhere from a couple of hours to all day.  Be prepared to go without food, as eating during this time is not recommended.

The baby's head is now waiting at the inner end of the cervix.

As labor progresses, cervical dilation will increase from 4 cm to about 8 cm (3 inches) and the contractions will come quicker, about two minutes apart. Proper breathing will help oxygenate your tissues and minimize pain. 

The baby's head, assuming a 'normal' (not breech) birth, moves forward toward the birth canal. 

Once the baby moves into position, your abdomen "drops," which is sometimes called "lightening," since you feel lighter. The baby has moved away from the diaphragm, which makes breathing easier. Your doctor may report that you are "100% effaced"  What does this mean?  It means your cervix has dilated to about 10 cm (4 inches). Contractions are longer and coming rapidly now, almost together.  It's now time to enter Stage Two of labor and push.

Stage Two of Labor

Once the first stage of labor is passed, the placental sac has broken, the cervix is 100% effaced, and contractions are regular and frequent, the second stage of labor - the actual delivery of the baby - begins. It is at this time that the mother pushes, while the muscles of the uterus contract to help push the fetus through the birth canal.  When the widest part of the baby's head has moved into the birth canal, the second stage has begun in earnest.

Contractions slow to four or five minutes apart. When the head is even with the lower pelvic bones, it's said to be at '0' station. It will progress through 1, 2, 3, and so on, measured by the baby's exit.  This stage, which may last 2 or 3 hours, ends when the baby is born.

Stage Three of Labor

Wait, the baby's already born, what more is there to do?  Stage Three is when the the placenta, often called the "afterbirth,"  comes out of the uterus through the birth canal. This usually happens within 30 minutes after the birth of the baby.

Synonyms:  abor, albor, lbor, lbaor, laor, laobr, labr, labro, and labo are typos for "labor."