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LaborWeeks 34–42

What Are the Stages of Labor? From the First Contractions to the Placenta

Labor moves from contractions that open your cervix, to pushing and the birth of your baby, to the delivery of the placenta. How long each stage takes varies.

  • MyPregnancy editorial
  • Updated
  • 1 min read
  • 5 sources

Not yet medically reviewed. This article sums up published guidance from the sources at the end. It is not medical advice: follow your own midwife or doctor.

On this page
  1. First stage
  2. Second stage
  3. Third stage
  4. What the timer shows
  5. When to call
Two made hospital beds with tray tables in a bright room with green curtains.
Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash

Labor has three stages. Their length and pace vary from one person to the next.

First stage

This starts when labor begins and ends when your cervix is fully open, at 10 centimeters. As your cervix thins and opens, your baby moves down into your pelvis. It is the longest stage, usually lasting about 12 to 19 hours.

Many people spend the early part at home. While you are there, time your contractions and keep your provider up to date. They will tell you when to come in.

Toward the end of this stage, contractions get longer, stronger and closer together. The hardest part is called transition. Contractions are very strong with little time to rest between them, and many people feel shaky or sick to their stomach.

Second stage

This is when you push and your baby is born. It usually lasts from 20 minutes to 2 hours. You push hard during contractions and rest in between. Positions vary: you might squat, sit, kneel or lie back.

Third stage

The placenta is delivered. This is the shortest stage, usually 5 to 30 minutes. You might have chills or feel shaky.

What the timer shows

The contraction timer records how long each contraction lasts and how often they come. It cannot show which stage you have reached. That is found by checking your cervix.

When to call

If you think labor has started, or you are not sure, call your provider.

Sources

  1. NHSThe stages of labour and birth
  2. NHSSigns that labour has begun
  3. Office on Women's HealthLabor and birth
  4. ACOGHow to Tell When Labor Begins
  5. ACOGPreterm Labor and Birth

Last checked .

Written by the MyPregnancy editorial team from the sources above.

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