What Are the Stages of Childbirth?

The steps and symptoms a woman experiences when going from labor to delivery are known as the stages of childbirth. Though different authorities give slightly different variations, most divide the stages of childbirth into three main segments: labor, delivery, and the delivery of the placenta. Understanding the stages of childbirth can help an expectant mother and her delivery partner know what to expect throughout the process.

Labor is the first stage of childbirth, and typically lasts the longest. In a normal pregnancy, the widening of the cervix that leads to birth can begin days or weeks before true labor begins. The first phase of dilation, sometimes called “early” or “latent” labor, may be marked by back and body aches, and mild contractions. Women also typically begin to notice a thick discharge from their vagina, which may have some blood in it. This is generally normal, though excessive blood may be a sign of a potential complication, and should be examined by a doctor immediately.

Once the cervix has dilated to more than three centimeters (1.18 inches) a woman is said to be in active labor. Contractions become more pronounced and may last longer, and may be accompanied by lower back pain or pressure. During active labor, many women head to the hospital or call their midwife to announce the labor. The amniotic sac may break during latent or active labor, commonly known as the “water breaking.” Women may also choose to take painkilling medication during this stage, though some prefer to continue childbirth without an epidural or other other drugs.

After the cervix reaches seven centimeters (2.75 inches) of dilation, contractions may be extremely strong, and may never fade completely. While the cervix moves from this level toward full dilation, some experts define it as one of the labor stages of childbirth, while others include it in the delivery stages of childbirth. Talking may become difficult for the mother, and nausea, vomiting, and gas are not uncommon.

When the cervix is fully dilated, the delivery stages of childbirth truly begin. From this point, it is often up to the mother to push when she feels contractions, in order to work the baby through the birth canal and out into the world. Delivery of the baby can take minutes or hours; women having their first baby or those who have taken medication may have a harder and longer delivery stage, while those who have experienced multiple births generally deliver faster. In a normal childbirth, the delivery stage completes when the baby is fully out of the body.

Following the delivery of the baby, an exhausted mother may just want to focus on her new child, but the body is not quite done with the stages of childbirth yet. Shortly after the birth of the baby, the placenta, which has handled oxygen, blood, and nutrition for the fetus for months, will pass out of the body. This process usually is very fast, and may be accompanied by mild contractions. In some cases, a medicine that causes contractions will be administered to help ease the placenta out of the body fully.