Is your baby due soon? Let's learn exactly about the stages of labor.

The most beautiful and challenging day of your life is the day you give birth to a baby. As that moment approaches, it's normal to feel a little nervous and anxious along with great joy. "What will happen when I give birth? How long will it take? What will it be like?" These are probably the questions running through your mind. So today, let's talk about the stages of labor , the process of having a baby. Knowing this will give you a lot of confidence and strength to face this journey.

Simply put, labor is the process by which the body naturally prepares for the birth of a baby. For a first-time mother, this process can usually take between 12 and 24 hours. However, subsequent deliveries usually happen much faster. The entire process can be divided into three main stages.

First stage: From the start of labor until the cervix is ​​fully dilated

This is the longest stage of labor. It can last up to 20 hours. It starts when your cervix begins to dilate and ends when it is fully dilated to 10 centimeters. This first stage is further divided into three smaller stages.

1. Early or Latent Phase

This is the beginning of labor pain. At first, you feel very light, tolerable contractions. They come about every 15-20 minutes and last about 60-90 seconds. Over time, the intervals between these contractions become shorter, and they start to come less than 5 minutes apart. This pain is accompanied by your cervix gradually dilating and effacing . This is to make way for the baby to come out. During this stage, your cervix opens from 0 to 6 centimeters. You may also notice a clear or light pink discharge from your vagina.

This stage can last for hours, or even days, so it's best to stay home and relax, without panicking.

Things you can do at this time:

• Take a walk.
• Change positions frequently.
• Continue your usual breathing and relaxation exercises.
• Take a warm bath. However, if your water has broken, you should consult your doctor before taking a bath.
• Get some rest if possible.
• Drink plenty of fluids and eat a light meal.
• Prepare the things you need to take to the hospital.

2. Active Phase

At this stage, when the cervix is ​​6 to 8 centimeters dilated, the contractions become stronger . They now come about every 3 minutes and last about 45 seconds. You may experience backaches and an increase in vaginal bleeding (" Bloody Show "). If your waters break at this point, the pain can be sudden and severe.

This stage usually lasts between 4 and 8 hours. You may feel a little overwhelmed as your focus is now on managing the pain. The support of a support person is invaluable at this time.

When you go to the hospital, your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature will be checked. A monitor will be placed on your abdomen to monitor your baby's heartbeat and uterine contractions. The doctor will also check your cervix to see how far along your labor is. If necessary, an IV line may be placed in your arm to give you fluids or medications.

3. Transition Phase

This is the shortest, but most painful, stage of labor. It takes about 15 minutes to an hour for the cervix to fully dilate to 8 to 10 centimeters. The pain comes every 2-3 minutes and lasts about a minute. You may feel a pressure in your rectum and your back may ache.

At this point, you may feel a strong urge to push . But never push until your doctor tells you to . If you push before your cervix is ​​fully open, it can swell, tear, and delay the entire process.

Second stage: The moment the baby comes into this world (Delivery)

The second stage begins when your cervix is ​​fully dilated to 10 centimeters. This stage lasts until the baby comes out of the birth canal. This can take 2 hours or more.

The pain you feel now is a little different from the first time. The time between pains has increased to 2-5 minutes, and they last about 60-90 seconds. Every time the pain comes, you feel a strong urge to push. You need to push exactly as your doctor has instructed. Get as much rest as possible while there is no pain.

Tips to help with pushing:

• Try different positions - like squatting, turning to the side and sitting with one leg raised.
• Take a deep breath before and after every pain.
• Curl your body as much as possible when pushing. This will help every muscle in your body.

At this point, you may be given pain medication if needed. You may also need to have an episiotomy , a small cut made between the vagina and anus to enlarge the vaginal opening, to help deliver the baby quickly or to prevent serious tearing.

Once the baby is born, the doctor will hold the baby's head down and gently remove any mucus and fluids from the mouth and nose. The baby will then be placed on your stomach and the umbilical cord will be cut shortly.

Third Stage: Delivery of the Placenta

The third stage begins after the baby is born. This is when the placenta, which was attached to the uterine wall, separates and comes out through the vagina . This is also called the "afterbirth." This is the shortest stage of labor. It can last from a few minutes to about 20 minutes. You will still feel some pain, but it will not be as severe as before. If you had an episiotomy or a small tear, it will be sewn up at this time.

See this table to understand the stages of childbirth at a glance.