Understanding Pregnancy Labor Stages

There are four Pregnancy labor stages in the childbirth process depending upon the changes in the uterus and cervix.

Stage 1

Starts with the beginning of labor, till the time when the cervix is 100 percent effaced and dilated to 10 centimeters.
Time period for first time mothers ranges from 10-14 hours.

Stage 2

Starts when the cervix is fully effaced and ends with the birth of the baby.
Time period for first time mothers ranges from 1-2 hours.

Stage 3

Starts with the birth of the baby till the placenta is delivered.
Time period for all vaginal deliveries range from 5-15 minutes.

Stage 4

Starts with the delivery of the placenta till 1-2 hours after delivery.
Prodomal Labor or Early Labor Pains- A Part Of The Pregnancy Labor Stages
These early pains can last from a few hours to several days. During this stage the cervix softens and the baby settles in the cervix. You may have false pains, which are irregular, strong or mild at times. This is just a way for the body to prepare itself for the childbirth process. So don't worry, relax, eat well and get all the rest you can get. Be confident of your body, it knows what it's doing.

What Happens In The Pregnancy Labor Stages?

The baby moves through the pelvis and the birth canal, which can take from 15 minutes to several hours.

The urge to push gets stronger as the baby moves further in the birth canal.
You may feel a stretching, burning, stinging feeling near the vaginal opening just before the baby is born. This is a sure shot sign- you are there.
When the baby's head emerges out, it turns to one side to accommodate the shoulders and the rest of the body slips out.

What Can Be Done To Help?

Just go with the flow and do what feels right. Taking deep breaths help through the contractions.
Make sounds according to what you feel helps.

It is important for the partner or family to be encouraging, quiet and supportive. Shouting will only make things worse.

Changing positions such as squatting, side pushing help if the progress is slow.
Warm compresses on your abdomen may help. It helps in relieving tension in the perineum.
It is very natural to have labor pains in pregnancy. They guide you through the labor. It always better to be equipped with knowledge so reading, researching a bit on the pregnancy labor stages will definitely help.

The childbirth process includes four pregnancy labor stages. It is very natural to have labor pains in pregnancy. There can also be false labor pains or early labor pains sometimes. Going with the flow of your body helps during the labor stage pains.For more information visit pregnancy.