Understanding the Three Stages of Labor
Updated: 4 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD | Last reviewed: October 7, 2026
Quick Answer
The stages of labor describe delivering a baby and the placenta. Stage 1 starts with regular contractions and ends when the cervix is fully effaced and open to 10 centimeters. Stage 2 is pushing and ends with the baby's birth. Stage 3, the shortest, ends with delivery of the placenta. Every labor is different.
What the research says
Early labor can be slower than older charts suggested, and active labor speeds up after about 6 cm. In a study of 62,415 US women with spontaneous labor, a singleton term pregnancy, vaginal birth, and normal newborn outcomes, progress from 4 to 5 cm could take more than 6 hours and from 5 to 6 cm more than 3 hours. First-time and previous-birth mothers progressed at a similar pace before 6 cm, but after 6 cm labor accelerated much faster in those who had given birth before. The 95th percentile of the second stage in first-time mothers was 3.6 hours with an epidural and 2.8 hours without ([Zhang et al., Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2010](https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181fdef6e)).
Continuous support during labor improves outcomes. A Cochrane review of 26 trials (15,858 women) found that women with continuous one-to-one support were more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04–1.12) and less likely to have a cesarean birth (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.64–0.88); their labors were on average 0.69 hours shorter. Much of the evidence was low quality, and no harms were found ([Bohren et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6)).
The longer the third stage, the higher the risk of heavy bleeding. In a prospective study of 6,588 vaginal deliveries, all managed with oxytocin, postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 5.1%. The odds rose with the length of the third stage: OR 4.3 (95% CI 3.3–5.5) beyond 20 minutes and OR 6.2 (95% CI 4.6–8.2) beyond 30 minutes ([Magann et al., Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2005](https://doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000151993.83276.70)).
TL;DR
Labor has three stages: cervical dilation and effacement through regular contractions (stage 1), pushing and the birth of the baby (stage 2), and delivery of the placenta (stage 3). Timing varies a lot from person to person, but knowing the stages helps you prepare for what is happening in your body.
The Progression of Labor
Labor is different for everyone, but it generally follows a predictable sequence. Healthcare providers use these stages to check that labor is progressing in a healthy way for both parent and baby. Scientists do not know exactly how labor starts, but they think it results from biochemical changes in the uterus and cervix, with a role for both the body and the fetus. For most people it begins naturally between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy.
Two hormone-related signals drive labor. Uterine cells produce prostaglandins, which help open the cervix and cause contractions. When the fetus presses on the cervix, the pituitary gland releases oxytocin, which travels to the uterus and stimulates contractions. This feedback loop strengthens contractions and moves the baby through the birth canal.
Stage | Primary Activity | Key Milestones |
Stage 1 | Cervical dilation and effacement | Regular contractions, then full dilation to 10 cm and full thinning of the cervix |
Stage 2 | Pushing and birth | Active pushing, crowning, and delivery of the baby |
Stage 3 | Delivery of the placenta | Contractions that separate the placenta from the uterus, then its delivery |
Stage 1: The Dilation Phase
The first stage is the longest and can last from 12 to 19 hours, and it is often faster if you have given birth before. It begins when contractions become regular, meaning they are strong and spaced about three to five minutes apart. This is different from Braxton Hicks contractions, which are irregular “practice” contractions. Timing contractions from the start of one to the start of the next helps you and your provider follow your progress. Stage 1 ends only when the cervix has fully thinned and opened to 10 centimeters.
Stage 1 has two phases. In early labor, the cervix dilates to about 6 centimeters, which typically takes six to 12 hours. In active labor, the cervix opens fully to 10 centimeters, which typically takes four to eight hours, and you may feel the urge to push. Some sources also describe the final stretch of dilation, just before pushing, as the transition phase.
Phase of Stage 1 | Dilation Goal | Typical Duration |
Early labor | Up to about 6 cm | 6 to 12 hours |
Active labor | 6 cm to 10 cm | 4 to 8 hours |
Stage 2: The Birth of the Baby
The second stage begins when the cervix is fully dilated and ends with the birth of your baby. It can last anywhere from half an hour to several hours. During this stage, contractions come every two to five minutes and last about 60 to 90 seconds. You push during contractions and rest in between, and your provider tells you when to push.
A key milestone is crowning, when your baby’s head begins to show. Your provider guides your baby out and, once the baby is born, cuts the umbilical cord. Providers consider this stage prolonged in a first birth if it lasts more than three hours without an epidural or four hours with one, and in a later birth if it lasts more than two hours without an epidural or three hours with one.
Stage 3: Delivering the Placenta
The third stage is the shortest and usually lasts no more than 30 minutes. It begins when your baby is born and ends when the placenta is delivered. Contractions start again about five to 30 minutes after birth and help the placenta separate from the uterus. You may need to push, or your provider may press on your belly to move the placenta forward. Heavy vaginal bleeding for a short time during or after delivery of the placenta can happen, and some people have chills or feel feverish, which you should mention to your provider.
Your provider checks that all of the placenta comes out, because retained tissue can cause complications. If you had an episiotomy or a vaginal tear, it is repaired once the placenta is out. A placenta that stays in the uterus more than 30 minutes after birth is considered abnormal. If you have a C-section, your provider removes the placenta when they deliver your baby. Some experts also describe the two to three hours after the placenta is delivered as a fourth stage, when your uterus relaxes and you are monitored for abnormal bleeding.
Managing Labor Discomfort
Preparation can help you cope with labor. During the first stage, many people find relief with gentle stretching, meditation, deep breathing, walking, changing positions, a warm (not hot) bath or shower, or a birthing ball. Having a support person, such as a partner, family member, friend, or doula, is also very helpful. If the pain is hard to tolerate, talk to your pregnancy care team about pain relief options.
When to Call Your Provider or Go to the Hospital
Your provider will likely tell you that you can stay home during early labor and that you should be at the birthing center during active labor. Once your contractions are every five minutes for at least one hour, call your pregnancy care provider or the hospital labor floor. Call as well if your water breaks, whether or not you notice contractions, and if you are unsure whether you are having Braxton Hicks contractions.
Get help right away if you have chest pain, dizziness or fainting, severe nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, swelling in your legs, arms, or face, heavy bleeding, or a significant decrease in your baby’s movement.
Conclusion
The stages of labor describe a remarkable biological process. The general outline is a useful roadmap, but every birth is unique, and not every labor follows the “typical” pattern. Understanding the path from the first regular contraction to the delivery of the placenta can help you take an active part in your birth experience.
Call to Action
If you are preparing for childbirth, talk with your pregnancy care team about your birth plan and your preferences for each stage of labor, including when to come in and which pain relief options are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three stages of labor?
The three stages of labor are labor and cervical dilation (stage 1), pushing and birth (stage 2), and delivery of the placenta (stage 3).
How long does the first stage of labor typically last?
The first stage of labor can last from 12 to 19 hours, and it is often faster if you have given birth before.
What is the difference between early and active labor?
In early labor the cervix dilates to about 6 centimeters, and in active labor it opens fully to 10 centimeters.
What defines “regular” contractions?
Regular contractions are strong and regularly spaced about three to five minutes apart.
How is the second stage of labor defined?
The second stage of labor begins with full cervical dilation (10 centimeters) and ends with the birth of your baby.
What does “crowning” mean?
Crowning is when your baby’s head begins to show at the vaginal opening.
How long does it take to deliver the placenta?
The third stage is the shortest and usually lasts no more than 30 minutes after the baby is born.
What triggers the start of labor?
Scientists do not know exactly, but they think a series of biochemical changes in the uterus and cervix, involving substances such as prostaglandins and oxytocin, starts the process.
Can I sleep during early labor?
In general, it is fine to sleep and rest during early labor if you can, though contractions may make it difficult.
What is the role of oxytocin in labor?
Oxytocin is released when the fetus presses on the cervix, and it travels to the uterus and stimulates contractions.
What happens if the placenta is not fully delivered?
Your provider needs to make sure all of the placenta comes out, because retained tissue can cause complications such as bleeding or infection.
Are Braxton Hicks contractions part of the stages of labor?
No. Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular “practice” contractions, unlike the regular, strengthening contractions of true labor.
What are some non-medical ways to manage labor pain?
Options include walking, changing positions, gentle stretching, a birthing ball, deep breathing, meditation, a warm (not hot) bath or shower, and a support person such as a partner or doula.
When should I go to the birthing center?
You should be at the birthing center during active labor. Call your provider or the hospital once contractions are every five minutes for at least one hour, or as soon as your water breaks.
Does a C-section involve these stages?
Not always. You may experience some stages and then have a C-section, or you may never experience the first part of labor if the C-section is planned or an emergency. With a C-section, the placenta is removed when the baby is delivered.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic. Stages of Labor. Last updated April 23, 2025. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22640-stages-of-labor
Zhang J, Landy HJ, Ware Branch D, et al. Contemporary patterns of spontaneous labor with normal neonatal outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2010;116(6):1281-1287. PMID: 21099592. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181fdef6e
Bohren MA, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, et al. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;7(7):CD003766. PMID: 28681500. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6
Magann EF, Evans S, Chauhan SP, et al. The length of the third stage of labor and the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Obstet Gynecol. 2005;105(2):290-293. PMID: 15684154. DOI: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000151993.83276.70
Medical disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.
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