Three stages of labor

Labor is a natural process that positions your baby for birth, delivers your baby out of the birth canal, and pushes the placenta out of your body after you give birth. There are three stages of labor:

Stage one

You start having contractions that will help to thin (efface) and open (dilate) your cervix so your baby can pass through the birth canal.

Stage one has three phases

• Early. Your contractions usually last less than a minute each and are irregular. Early labor can last a few hours, or a few days. You might be able to stay home during early labor, and many women do.
• Active. As your cervix begins to dilate more rapidly, your contractions become stronger, longer, and closer together. They last about a minute. You might start to feel too uncomfortable to walk or move around. The pain might make it hard for you to talk and you have to focus hard just to breathe. It’s time to go to the hospital.
• Transition. Your cervix opens completely and your baby moves into position to be born.

Stage two

Your cervix is dilated completely and your baby travels down and out of the birth canal.

Stage three

Your contractions continue after your baby is born until your placenta is delivered.