Most women have many questions when they find out they are pregnant. What do contractions feel like? How much weight should I gain? Can I still drink coffee? Why does water make me nauseous? But one common question near the third trimester crosses almost every mother’s mind – what is labor really like? To answer that, we more specifically have to ask, what are the stages of labor and birth?
Before getting into the nitty-gritty, take a minute to remember that you are a unique individual having a unique pregnancy, and you will have a unique labor and birth. Some women skip stages of going into labor, others can go from one stage to the next, and then back a stage with no real apparent pattern, and others will follow these labor stages almost exactly as written. Again, every woman is so beautifully unique! These stages of labor and birth are also written from the perspective of an unmedicated labor.
With that in mind, let’s get to it!
[*Hey, mama… Have you downloaded our FREE guide yet? “The Ultimate Guide to Natural Pregnancy Remedies” It’s jam-packed with awesome tips and advice to help you tackle those pesky pregnancy discomforts using natural remedies.*]
The 4 Labor Stages Explained
1: First Stage Labor (we’ll break this up into early first stage, and first stage)
2: Active Labor
3. Transition
4. Second Stage Labor (Pushing)
[Related post: Labor Induction Methods and Natural Alternatives]
1: Early First Stage Labor
What should you expect emotionally during the early first stage of labor?
Most women feel excited at this time! After 9 (or maybe 10) very long months of waiting, you are finally going to meet your sweet baby. Of course, you may also be unsure if you are truly in labor or not. If this is your first baby, contractions may not be easy to pinpoint and other signs of early labor could have been missed.
What is your behavior like during the early first stage of labor?
You are likely still able to walk, have full conversations, smile, and otherwise stay busy with light movement and activity. You might have an appetite and want to eat something small, or you may be too excited to think about food. A lot of women start to feel restless, impatient, and nervous and feel the need to walk and move around.
What should you expect physically during the early first stage of labor (signs of early labor)?
Some common early labor symptoms include the loss of the mucus plug, needing to pee more often than normal, cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, and frequent bowel movements (this is your body’s natural way of clearing out your system before delivery).
What are the contractions like during the early first stage of labor?
Contractions feel like menstrual cramps or a strong pressure around the abdomen during early first stage labor. Contractions will typically start off irregular, and then slowly develop into a pattern about 10 minutes or so apart. The contraction itself lasts between 45 and 60 seconds with the peak of sensation around the 30 second mark. Throughout early first stage labor, the contractions will get progressively stronger and will come closer together. As you change positions or start/stop new activities they should not become farther apart than before.
What should you do during the early first stage of labor?
Try to keep yourself busy and distracted! If you are hungry, eat. If you are tired, sleep (actually, try to sleep no matter what if you can!) Listen to your body and do what feels right in this moment. Make sure someone is with you or is on the way to you. Try not to get too excited until you progress to the next stage as this could be false labor. Don’t be discouraged if labor stops at this point – your baby won’t stay in there forever! Rushes of adrenaline have an effect on your labor, and sometimes it can stop labor in this early stage. Do what you can to relax and listen to your body.
[*Hey, mama… Have you downloaded our FREE guide yet? “The Ultimate Guide to Natural Pregnancy Remedies” It’s jam-packed with awesome tips and advice to help you tackle those pesky pregnancy discomforts using natural remedies.*]
1: First Stage Labor
What should you expect emotionally during the first stage of labor?
Once you reach this stage, you are more confident that you truly are in labor and show a level of acceptance. Focus your mind on staying confident and remind yourself that even though labor is hard, you can do hard things.
What is your behavior like during the first stage of labor?
Certain activities and movements that you were comfortably doing before may not be so comfortable anymore during first stage labor. You prefer only certain positions at this point, and your conversations may not be as carefree. You will probably still want to keep active and busy in between contractions but may need to focus more when the contractions hit.
What should you expect physically during the first stage of labor?
Walking, laughing, talking, and continuing activities during contractions is much harder now than it was before, but may still be possible for some women. If you have been in labor for a while and did not eat earlier, you might want to eat now to nourish yourself for the journey ahead. You can probably feel quite obviously the pattern of contractions your body has naturally fallen into now.
What are the contractions like during the first stage of labor?
Contractions should still feel like a menstrual cramp or a pressure around the abdomen at this stage but the pressure might have increased or started radiating into other parts of your body such as the lower back or pelvis. The contractions should be continuing to come closer together and are about 5 minutes apart now (that 5 minutes starts when one contraction begins and ends when the next contraction begins… it does not mean 5 minutes of rest between contractions). The contraction sensation should still only last for about 50-60 seconds total.
What should you do during the first stage of labor?
Continue to listen to your body but try to stay upright and change positions as often as you feel comfortable doing so! If the weather permits, get some fresh air or sunshine to help take your mind off of the pain. If you have not already started timing your contractions, now would be a good time to do so. There are some amazing free apps you can download to track your contractions properly for you.
Some hospitals recommend checking in around this time, others recommend waiting until the next stage of labor. Be sure to have a discussion with your specific provider before going into labor about when the best time to check into the hospital will be for your unique pregnancy (Keep in mind that checking into the hospital often stalls labor! Read our article on hospital policies you can say no to for more empowered birth information).
Since you never know how long you might be in labor for, it’s always best to play it safe and rest when possible. It will become increasingly difficult to sleep/rest later on, so get it now if you can! Consider playing a game of cards or watching a show if you cannot sleep, just remember to stay upright and switch up your position every so often (if you are not sleeping) and are physically capable!
2: Active Labor
What should you expect emotionally during active labor?
You might find that your sense of humor has disappeared at this stage, and those cute little jokes your partner was making an hour ago make you want to punch his throat now (unless he was prepared and read our article on how to train your husband to be your doula). At this stage you are focused on the task at hand and nothing else.
What is your behavior like during active labor?
With all of your concentration on breathing through contractions and then bracing for the next, you may find yourself entering into a very focused, meditative state. Your body temperature is also going to fluctuate very quickly. If you get hot, you might strip out of all of your clothes without a care in the world as to who else is in the room. Your manners have likely disappeared and you may start demanding things you need in short, choppy sentences. If you are still moving around, walking is a wonderful way to help move the baby down further into your pelvis, but the steps will not come as naturally as before – utilize your birthing partner for support.
What should you expect physically during active labor?
You are no longer thinking about anything except those contractions – you will most likely not want to eat, will not want to talk, and will not want to engage in any form of game or distracting activity. If your water hasn’t broken yet, it probably will during this stage. It is going to become harder to relax in between the contractions but do your best to rest as you can! This is a great time to put your labor coping techniques to good use.
What are the contractions like during active labor?
Contractions are no longer just a strong sensation, but they are physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. You’re no longer focused on tracking the timing of the contractions let alone the time of day. Contractions don’t always follow a nice regular and predictable pattern like they did earlier, but when they do you can expect them to be within minutes of each other, and sometimes multiple contractions in a row without rest in between. There may be a plateau in dilation and effacement during active labor even though you continue having contractions – this is VERY NATURAL and in it of itself does not warrant a c-section (always talk to your trusted medical professional and use your BRAIN in these situations).
What should you do during active labor?
Do your very best to stay relaxed! Tension in the body actually stimulates the fight or flight response and releases adrenaline – adrenaline slows labor – slowing labor means it will take longer to meet your baby! Use your labor coping techniques and listen to your body’s natural instinct. Your body knows how to birth your baby without any help from you… try to get out of the way. Continue changing positions every 30 minutes if you can and try to stay upright. This helps the baby move down further into the pelvis with each contraction. Even if you don’t feel like it, try to go to the bathroom as often as possible. Some women actually find laboring on the toilet at this stage to be one of the best ways to keep upright while also getting some rest (grab a pillow and sit on the toilet backwards using the top of the toilet as a place to rest your head).
[*Hey, mama… Have you downloaded our FREE guide yet? “The Ultimate Guide to Natural Pregnancy Remedies” It’s jam-packed with awesome tips and advice to help you tackle those pesky pregnancy discomforts using natural remedies.*]
3: Transition
What should you expect emotionally during transition?
Of all the stages of labor and birth, this one is the toughest mentally. Women who are not mentally prepared or who are not committed to an unmedicated birth are most likely to give in or request medication during transition. This stage is hard, but remember, you can do hard things. You may experience panic, fear, confusion, or nervousness. On the other hand, some women handle this stage with respectable mental stamina. Equip yourself before labor by preparing words of encouragement for someone to read to your during this stage. Or remind yourself over and over why you are doing this. And remember, you are about to meet your sweet baby! This stage also doesn’t last long – typically 15 to 45 minutes. You can do this – one contraction at a time!
What is your behavior like during transition?
There is a wide range of behavior during this stage. Some women yell through the sensations, others cry, others hone-in on their inner strength and shut out the rest of the world. You may move around a lot in a failed attempt to get comfortable. Some of the coping techniques you had used before may no longer be working to distract from the contractions.
What should you expect physically during transition?
Every woman’s body handles this stage differently (remember, every woman is unique in their labor and birth experience) but some common symptoms of transition labor include vomiting, sweating, shaking, and hot and cold flashes. You might also begin to feel different sensations going on internally as the baby shifts themselves into the correct position in your pelvis to prepare for delivery. This movement is also accompanied by pressure and stretching in the pelvis that you might not have felt before.
What are the contractions like during transition?
Most women find this to be the hardest stage of labor and birth (for other women, the hardest stage is pushing). Contractions can come one on top of the other with no rest in between for the duration of the transition stage (15-45 minutes) or can stop coming altogether while you experience new and different sensations. If you are keeping track of your dilation, you normally enter transition at between 7 and 9 centimeters dilated.
What should you do during transition?
Transition is a test of your mental strength. “Your body can stand almost anything. It’s your mind that you have to convince.” Your body was designed to give birth to your baby. Find your mental strength, enlist an encouraging and educated birth coach to fortify you (husband, doula, family member, etc.), practice your abdominal breathing, utilize your labor coping techniques, and remember this stage doesn’t last long. Every second, every contraction, every breath brings you closer and closer to holding your baby.
4: Second Stage Labor (Pushing)
What should you expect emotionally during second stage labor?
The panic and fear are gone, and determination has taken their place. You are ready to hold your sweet baby!
What is your behavior like during second stage labor?
Some women are finally able to rest between contractions in this stage and might find themselves drifting off to sleep during their breaks. You might find your ability to converse with other people has returned, and you are more aware of your surroundings. The transition tunnel vision is gone.
What should you expect physically during second stage labor?
Some women feel a sudden urge to push, and for others this sensation approaches gradually. The urge to push may feel similar to the urge to poop, this is because the same muscles are used for both! It is very natural and common to poop during the pushing phase of labor. Try not to being trying to push until you hit a point where not pushing hurts more than trying to push does. You will feel stretching and possibly burning as the baby’s head starts to crown (this is when the baby’s head is beginning to exit through the opening of the vagina).
What are the contractions like during second stage labor?
Instead of pushing baby down into the birthing canal, contractions are now pushing baby out of the body and they will feel different. There is typically no pattern to these contractions, and there will be more time to rest between them. Some women push for hours, and others push for a few minutes! In most cases, your baby will be born head-first with their face towards your spine. Once their head is out, the rest of the body takes only a few more minutes and should feel like a breeze!
What should you do during second stage labor?
Find a pushing position that works best for you! Research has shown that pushing in an upright position actually decreases your chances of tearing. For example, pushing in squatting position or on your hands and knees compared to lying on your back. Listen to your body. Push WITH your contractions. Coached pushing (when your provider tells you when to push) is not always the best course of action for unmedicated births. You can naturally feel when your body is contracting and work alongside it while your doctor cannot. However, most first-time moms find they need a little coaching on HOW to push. Sip on water or a honey stick in between pushes.
You are amazing, mama! Here are some of my favorite inspirational words to cling to during each of the stages of labor and birth:
“You are stronger than you know, and you can do this. Every contraction brings you closer to meeting your beautiful baby.”
“Remember that you are not alone.”
“Stay focused on the goal – holding your precious baby in your arms. The pain and discomfort of labor are temporary, but the joy of motherhood lasts a lifetime.”
“Your body was made to do this. Trust in its ability to bring your baby into the world.”
“Labor is hard, but you can do hard things.”
“Take deep breaths and stay present in the moment. You are doing an incredible thing – bringing new life into the world!”
“Visualize your baby’s face and keep that image in your mind. It will give you the strength you need to push through each contraction.”
“Believe in yourself and the power of your body. You are capable of amazing things, and this birth experience will show you just how strong you truly are.”
Remember that every woman is unique, every labor is unique, and every birth is unique. There is no right or wrong way to have a baby. Trust in yourself, trust your body, prepare your mind, educate yourself on the stages of labor and birth, and remember that you are doing an incredible thing.
Jess
