The 3 Stages of Labour: What Happens, How Long Each Takes, and When To Call Your Doctor

Quick Answer

Labour has three stages. The first stage is when your cervix opens from 0 to 10 cm, and it is the longest, often 8 to 18 hours in a first birth. The second stage is pushing and the birth of your baby, lasting up to 3 hours for a first baby. The third stage is delivering the placenta, usually within 30 minutes. Knowing the stages helps you understand what your body is doing and when it is time to go to hospital.

Key Takeaways

• First stage is the longest. It runs from the first real contractions to full dilation at 10 cm, and in a first pregnancy commonly takes 8 to 18 hours once labour is established.

• "Established labour" means the cervix has reached about 4 cm with strong, regular contractions. Before that is the latent (early) phase, which can last hours or even days.

• Second stage is the pushing stage, from full dilation to birth. It should last no more than 3 hours for a first baby, and no more than 2 hours if you have given birth before.

• Third stage is delivering the placenta, usually within about 30 minutes with the common active management approach.

• Some signs need an urgent call regardless of stage: waters breaking, bleeding, reduced baby movements, or contractions before 37 weeks.

What Are the Stages of Labour?

Labour is divided into three stages, each defined by what your body is achieving, not by a fixed clock.

Every labour is different, and these are typical ranges, not rules. Second and later babies usually arrive faster. What matters is that your labour is progressing and that you and your baby are well, which your doctor or midwife will monitor throughout (NHS, The stages of labour and birth).

The First Stage of Labour: Opening of the Cervix

The first stage is all about the cervix opening from closed to fully dilated at about 10 cm, which is the width your baby's head needs to pass through. It is divided into three phases.

The dilation timeline

The latent (early) phase

This is where your cervix softens and starts to open. Contractions are irregular and there is no set pattern to how many you get or how long they last. It is usually the longest part of labour (NHS).

What helps in this phase:

• Eat and drink a little to keep your energy up for later

• If it starts at night, rest and sleep if you can

• If it starts in the day, stay gently upright and active to help the baby move down

• Try breathing techniques, massage, or a warm bath or shower for comfort

• Time your contractions using a contraction timer so you know when the pattern is becoming regular

Established (active) labour

Established labour is where your cervix has dilated to about 4 cm and your contractions become stronger and more regular (NHS). This is the point at which your maternity team takes over monitoring. In a first pregnancy, the time from the start of established labour to full dilation is usually 8 to 18 hours. It is often quicker, around 5 to 12 hours, in a second or third pregnancy.

During this phase your midwife or doctor will check on you, offer pain relief, and offer regular vaginal examinations to see how far your cervix has opened. Not sure whether your contractions are the real thing? See how to tell real labour from false labour and the full types of contractions.

If labour is slow

Sometimes contractions are not frequent or strong enough, or the baby is in an awkward position, and labour slows. Your doctor may discuss two ways to help it along: breaking your waters (artificial rupture of membranes), or an oxytocin drip to strengthen contractions. Both make contractions feel stronger, so pain relief will be discussed. If labour does not progress despite this, it is called prolonged labour.

The Second Stage of Labour: Pushing and Birth

The second stage lasts from full dilation (10 cm) until the birth of your baby. This is the pushing stage.

How long it lasts: if you are having your first baby, the pushing stage should last no longer than 3 hours. If you have had a baby before, it should take no more than 2 hours (NHS).

What it feels like: as your baby moves down the birth canal, you get an urge to push that feels a bit like needing to pass stool. You push with your contractions when you feel the urge. If you have had an epidural, you may not feel that urge strongly, and your midwife will guide you.

Finding a position: you can sit, kneel, stand, lie on your side or squat. If you have had a lot of back pain in labour, kneeling on all fours can help. It is worth practising a few positions before your due date.

As the baby is born: when the head is almost out, your midwife will ask you to stop pushing and take short breaths, so the head is born slowly and the perineum (the skin between the vagina and anus) has time to stretch. This moment is called crowning, often described as a "ring of fire" sensation. Sometimes a small cut called an episiotomy is made to prevent a tear or speed up the birth, after numbing the area. Once the head is out, the rest of the body usually follows in the next one or two contractions, and you can hold your baby right away.

The Third Stage of Labour: Delivering the Placenta

The third stage happens after your baby is born, when your womb contracts and the placenta is delivered. There are two ways to manage it, and your midwife will discuss your preference beforehand.

(Source: NHS.)

Active management is commonly recommended because it reduces the risk of heavy bleeding after birth. You can switch from physiological to active management at any time if needed.

When To Call Your Doctor or Maternity Unit

Call for guidance if:

• You think you are in labour

• You are having regular contractions every 5 minutes or more often

• You are worried about anything

Call urgently if:

• Your waters break

• You have vaginal bleeding

• Your baby is moving less than usual

• You are less than 37 weeks and think you may be in labour (preterm labour)

• Any contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes

• You are having 6 or more contractions every 10 minutes

Seek emergency help (call an ambulance) if you feel the baby is coming now and you have a strong urge to push.

(Source: NHS.)

This article is for information only and does not replace the advice of your obstetrician or midwife, who are monitoring your specific labour.

Mylo Parents Asked

"How dilated do I need to be to go to the hospital?"
As a general guide, established labour begins around 4 cm with strong, regular contractions, and that is usually when you are admitted. But go by the "5-1-1" style guidance your hospital gives and call them when contractions are regular, about 5 minutes apart. If your waters break or you bleed, go in regardless of dilation.

"How long does labour take for a first baby?"
The first stage, from established labour to full dilation, commonly takes 8 to 18 hours for a first baby, plus up to 3 hours of pushing. It is usually faster for second and later babies. These are averages, and your labour may be shorter or longer.

"What is the most painful stage of labour?"
Most women find the transition phase (around 8 to 10 cm) the most intense, but it is often the shortest. The good news is that reaching transition means the pushing stage is close.

"What does 10 cm dilated mean?"
It means your cervix is fully open, about 10 cm wide, which is enough for your baby's head to pass through. This marks the end of the first stage and the start of pushing.

"Can I eat during labour?"
In early (latent) labour, a light snack and fluids are encouraged to keep your energy up. Once labour is established, your hospital will advise you, as policies vary, especially if there is any chance you may need surgery.

"What is the ring of fire in labour?"
It is the stinging, burning sensation as your baby's head crowns and stretches the perineum. It is brief and signals that birth is very close. Read more about crowning.

"How long after the baby is born does the placenta come out?"
With active management, usually within about 30 minutes. With natural (physiological) management, it can take up to an hour. Both are normal.

Bottom Line

Labour moves through three stages: the cervix opening to 10 cm, pushing the baby out, and delivering the placenta. The first stage is by far the longest, and the early part of it can usually be spent calmly at home. Understanding the stages will not make labour painless, but it removes a lot of fear, helps you recognise when to go to hospital, and lets you follow what your body is doing. When in doubt, call your maternity unit. That is exactly what they are there for.

References

All links verified live on 16 September 2026.

1. The stages of labour and birth — NHS, UK. Source for the three stages, dilation to 10 cm, first-stage timings (8 to 18 hours; 5 to 12 hours), second-stage limits (3 hours / 2 hours), active vs physiological third-stage management, and the when-to-call guidance.

2. Signs that labour has begun — NHS, UK. Supporting reference for early signs and latent phase.

“Shop lactomama lactation granules from Mylo”

Mylo LactoMama ™ | With Shatavari, Sowa & 5 herbs | Natural Supplement for Boosting Breast Milk Supply | 100% Natural Ingredients | 300g | Pack of 3 | Kesar Badam

100% Natural Ingredients | Improves Lactation | Clinically Tested | Rich in Vitamins, Minerals, Iron & Calcium

⭐ 4.2 (50)Shop Now