Understanding the Different Stages of Labour: What Happens and When

Labour is a transformative and intense experience that brings new life into the world. As a pregnant person nears their due date, understanding the stages of labour becomes crucial. Whether you’re an expectant parent or a birth partner, being prepared and informed can ease anxieties, making the birthing experience more manageable. Knowing what happens during each stage of labour can empower you to make informed decisions, participate in your care, and communicate effectively with your healthcare team. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the different stages of labour, discuss how antenatal care prepares you for labour, and highlight the role of support techniques such as antenatal yoga, prenatal massage, and antenatal appointments.

The Importance of Antenatal Care in Labour Preparation

Before diving into the specifics of labour stages, it’s essential to recognise the role of antenatal care in preparing for childbirth. During your antenatal appointments, your healthcare provider will monitor your baby’s growth, assess your health, and provide vital information on what to expect during labour. Engaging in prenatal care means gaining access to education on pain management, birthing techniques, and creating a birth plan, all of which are crucial for navigating the labour process.

Additionally, antenatal support may include physical and mental preparations such as antenatal yoga, pregnancy yoga classes, and antenatal massages, which help expectant mothers stay calm, physically fit, and emotionally prepared. All of these methods of care aim to enhance comfort and confidence when labour begins.

Now, let’s look at the three stages of labour and what happens during each.

Stage 1: Early Labour and Active Labour

The first stage of labour is the longest and most variable phase, and it is divided into two parts: early labour (latent phase) and active labour.

Early Labour (Latent Phase)

Early labour begins with the onset of regular contractions, which are typically mild and spaced far apart. During this phase, your cervix begins to dilate (open) and efface (thin out). Early labour can last several hours, or even days, especially for first-time mothers. While it’s important to stay calm and relaxed during this period, you can remain at home unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise.

Signs of Early Labour include:

Mild, irregular contractions

Cervical dilation of 0 to 4 cm

Lower back pain or pressure

The passing of the mucus plug (a thick discharge from the cervix)

What Can Help in Early Labour?

Many women find relief through relaxation techniques learned during antenatal education. You might use breathing exercises, gentle movement, and antenatal yoga poses to ease discomfort. Practising yoga during pregnancy helps with flexibility and relaxation, making it easier to find comfortable positions that ease the early contractions.

A prenatal massage during early labour may also be beneficial for relaxation. The pregnancy massage benefits include stress relief and easing lower back tension, which is common as the body prepares for active labour.

Active Labour

During active labour, contractions become stronger, longer, and more regular. This is the phase where you will likely head to your chosen birthing location, whether that’s a hospital, a birthing centre, or at home with a midwife.

Signs of Active Labour include:

Stronger, more painful contractions that occur every 3 to 5 minutes

Cervical dilation of 4 to 7 cm

Increased backache and pressure in the pelvis

Possible rupture of membranes (water breaking)

At this point, you will rely heavily on your birth plan and your antenatal support team. Engaging in active labour requires you to stay focused on managing your discomfort, and using techniques like deep breathing, prenatal yoga poses, and massage for pregnancy can all be highly beneficial.

Antenatal Clinic and Support During Active Labour

In most cases, you will have discussed your pain relief preferences during your antenatal checkups. Your healthcare team may offer pain relief options such as nitrous oxide or an epidural, depending on your birth plan. If you prefer natural methods, antenatal massage or hydrotherapy (using water to ease pain) can provide relief. Antenatal classes near me often offer guidance on how to manage labour pain naturally.

Stage 2: Delivery of the Baby

The second stage of labour begins once the cervix is fully dilated (10 cm) and ends with the birth of your baby. This stage is generally shorter than the first but can vary from a few minutes to several hours. It is often referred to as the “pushing stage.”

What Happens During Stage 2?

In this stage, you will feel the urge to push as the baby moves down the birth canal. Your healthcare provider and birth partner will guide you through each contraction, helping you find the most comfortable position for pushing. Positions like squatting, kneeling, or lying on your side can be helpful.

Key Signs of Stage 2:

Cervix is fully dilated (10 cm)

Strong urge to push with each contraction

The baby’s head “crowning” (becoming visible)

This phase is physically demanding, but using relaxation techniques learned during antenatal classes or antenatal yoga can make pushing more effective. Deep breathing and staying focused on each contraction can help you stay centred. If you’ve practised yoga for pregnancy, some of the positioning can help relieve discomfort and support you through each push.

Your birth partner’s role becomes vital at this stage, providing emotional support and encouragement. If necessary, they can also advocate for your birth plan preferences, ensuring that you feel supported throughout the process.

Stage 3: Delivery of the Placenta

The third and final stage of labour occurs after the baby is born and involves the delivery of the placenta. This stage is much shorter, usually lasting between 10 and 30 minutes.

What Happens in Stage 3?

After your baby is born, you will continue to have mild contractions, which help your body expel the placenta. You may be offered a managed third stage, where an injection of oxytocin helps speed up this process, or you may choose a natural third stage, allowing your body to deliver the placenta without assistance.

Key Signs of Stage 3:

Mild contractions resume after the baby is born

The placenta is expelled through the birth canal

The uterus begins to contract to reduce bleeding

Your healthcare team will check that the entire placenta has been delivered and that there are no complications, such as excessive bleeding. Skin-to-skin contact with your baby, breastfeeding, and emotional bonding often begin in this stage. This is a time of rest, celebration, and the beginning of your postpartum recovery.

The Role of Antenatal Education in Preparing for Labour Stages

Throughout your pregnancy, antenatal education helps you and your birth partner prepare for the different stages of labour. Understanding the physical and emotional changes that occur during labour will give you the confidence to manage each phase with calm and focus.

Classes that focus on antenatal fitness, such as antenatal yoga, can also be extremely beneficial in preparing your body for the challenges of labour. Pregnancy yoga classes not only enhance physical stamina but also teach essential breathing techniques that will be invaluable during each contraction.

Additionally, antenatal massages can help reduce stress during the final weeks of pregnancy, ensuring you feel more relaxed and ready to meet your baby.

Conclusion: Knowledge Is Empowerment

Labour is a journey filled with physical and emotional transitions. By understanding each stage of labour—from early and active labour to the delivery of your baby and placenta—you can feel more in control and confident in your ability to navigate this transformative process. Antenatal care plays an essential role in preparing for labour, equipping expectant parents with the knowledge, tools, and support needed for a positive birth experience.

Through regular antenatal appointments, participation in antenatal classes, and practice with antenatal yoga and relaxation techniques, you’ll be well-prepared for the stages of labour. Remember that each labour experience is unique, and having a solid foundation of knowledge, a supportive birth partner, and a flexible birth plan will help you approach labour with confidence and grace.