Stages of labor

Your spouse is fast approaching her delivery date. It may be time for you to become familiar with the process of labor that she is about to undergo.

These are the various stages of labor before delivery:

• Stage one: This stage marks the onset of labor. The mother’s cervix starts to slowly dilate. She may experience contractions very similar to Braxton Hicks Contractions. Some women also experience a bloody discharge as the mucous plug is expelled. This stage of labor can last for more than 14 hours.
  
  
• Stage two: In this stage, your spouse’s body prepares to deliver your baby. Her cervix will dilate between five and seven centimeters during this stage in labor. If she has opted for an epidural, it may be administered during this point in labor. Most moms will spend roughly six to eight hours in this stage of labor especially if it is their first baby.
  
  
• Transition: At this stage, the mother is almost ready for the delivery. Her contractions will now come every two to three minutes apart. This may last some minutes or go on for a few hours.
  
  
• Stage three: At this stage, the baby descends fully into the mother’s pelvis. She will contribute by actively pushing. First time moms usually may need to push longer than experienced mothers.
  
  
• Stage four: This is the final stage as the baby is delivered. This is also the point when the baby's placenta will be expelled.