The labor and delivery experience is different for each woman, but there’s a general sequence of events that you can expect to occur. Learning what these are will help you feel more prepared for your baby’s arrival. While your gynecologist should answer any specific questions you have, here’s a brief overview of the three stages of labor and what typically happens in each one.

What to Expect During Labor

1. Early and Active Labor 

The first stage is a signal that your body is getting ready to give birth. It’s generally the longest part of the process, and it involves three phases. Early labor is when you begin having mild to moderate contractions. This phase lasts until the cervix is dilated to three centimeters. 

As your body moves into active labor, the contractions will become more intense and the baby will descend more deeply into the birth canal. During this phase, the cervix continues to dilate from three to seven centimeters. The last phase is transition, where contractions get stronger and closer together and the cervix reaches full dilation. 

2. Birth

After your cervix has dilated to 10 centimeters, the second stage of labor begins. This is when your gynecologist or delivery doctor will tell you to start pushing. Your healthcare team will direct you to push with each contraction and rest in between. Eventually, the baby’s head will crown, and once it completely emerges, your doctor will guide the rest of their body out. Then, the umbilical cord is cut. This phase can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. 

3. Delivery of the Placenta

The last phase of labor is the shortest, usually only lasting around 20 minutes. This consists of delivering the placenta, which is the organ that develops during pregnancy to help supply food and oxygen to the baby. If it doesn’t detach from the uterine wall on its own, your doctor might need to massage the uterus to help move it along. At this time, your medical provider may also need to stitch up any tearing that occurred during birth. 

Whether you’re just starting to plan for pregnancy or recently found out you’re expecting, you’ll receive exceptional care from the medical professionals at Advanced OB-GYN Services. Led by board-certified gynecologist Dr. Joseph Hazan, this facility is dedicated to providing patients throughout St. Peters and Bridgeton, MO, with a warm, personalized experience. They’re proud to offer the highest standard of treatment from pre-conception to postpartum. Call (636) 928-1800 to make an appointment, or visit them online for more information about their services.