Stages of Labour  
No two births are exactly the same, even for the same woman but there is a sequence of three stages your body follows as it moves through the birth process.

Stage 1 is when contractions make the cervix, or neck of the womb, dilate (open up) to about 10 centimetres. This usually the longest stageb and for a first baby often lasts between 12 and 18 hours. For second and subsequent babies it is usually shorter and lasts between 2 and 10 hours.

Stage 2 iswhen you deliver your baby - the 'pushing' part of labour. It usually lasts between 30 minutes and two hours for a first baby, and between ten minutes and an hour for second and subsequent babis.

Stage 3 is when the placenta comes out of the uterus, after the baby has been delivered. This can happen within a couple of contractions or can take an hour or more.

Pre-Labour  
  Towards the end of your pregnancy, you'll wonder just when your labour will start - and how you'll be able to tell that it has started.

There are a number of signs that indicate you don't have long to go.

Braxton Hicks
Braxton Hicks contractions are strong tightenings of the uterus ( 'practice' contractions'), which can be quite painful. You can distinguish them from real contractions because if you're busy they'll stop if you rest for a moment or if you've been lying down they'll stop if you get up and do something.

Weight loss
You may suddenly find you weigh less but you'll still be feeling increasingly uncomfortable with perhaps breathlessness, swollen legs and insomnia at night.

Nesting instinct
You may experience a strong urge to clean, tidy and sort things out.

False labour
Some women experience 'false labour', when contractions appear to start then fade away again. This can continue for up to two weeks. 'False labour' contractions are usually part of the run up to labour, and indicate that labour will begin very soon, but they can nevertheless be very frustrating.

First Stage of Labour  
  What is a contraction?
Contractions are like tightenings or waves spreading from low down over the whole bump, getting stronger and then fading away. The muscles at the top of your uterus contract and press down on the baby. At the same time, your muscles pull upwards on the cervix so that it opens. Contractions usually get closer together and last longer as labour progresses.
Second Stage of Labour  
 

You will have actively encouraged your cervix to open during the first stage through movement and positioning as well as visualisation and breathing.

The second stage of labour ('the pushing stage') starts when the cervix is fully open. It ends when your baby is born. This stage can last from 10 minutes to 2 hours (or longer if you have had an epidural). Contractions during this stage can be several minutes apart.

The pushing stage feels very different from the first stage because you can take an active role in the birth, helping your uterus to push the baby out with each contraction. There is even more benefit to being upright or on all fours during the second stage. These positions improve the width of the birth canal and help gravity to assist the birth process.

What is happening?
Your baby is moving down your vagina or 'birth canal' from your uterus

  • as your baby's head slides out, there may be a burning sensation or a feeling of numbness around your vagina
  • try another position if your baby's head is not coming out ("crowning"), although you may find it very hard to move at this stage.

How can your midwife help?
Pant and try to relax your pelvic floor muscles as you feel the burning sensation around your pelvic floor. Ease your baby into the world, panting and pushing as both you and your midwife feel is appropriate. Sensations and emotions at this time can be incredibly intense and most people agree that this is the most exciting stage of labour.