Labor has three main stages: first stage labor, the longest part when the cervix opens; second stage labor when the mother pushes the baby out and third stage labor when the placenta is delivered.

First Stage Labor
First stage labor includes early labor, active labor and transition. During the first stage labor the cervix, or opening of the uterus, thins (effaces) and opens (dilates) to allow the baby to come through. During first stage labor a mother's emotions may go from anticipation to relief, apprehension to moodiness and seriousness as her body works harder to get the baby in position for birthing.

First stage labor is the longest lasting stage of labor and is an average of 15-17 hours for the first time mother. However, since the labor process is different for each woman and each birth itself is unique, there are reports of first stage labors that last anywhere from 1 hour to 48 hours. The range of what is normal is very wide.

Second Stage Labor
Second stage labor is the pushing stage when the baby moves through the birth canal and is born. Many women get a second wind for this stage and are excited to finally be able to "do" something active in the birth process. Other mothers may feel overwhelmed because the urge to push is often an involuntary thing the body does automatically.

Second stage labor lasts for about one hour for first time mothers but, as with most stages of labor, there is a wide variety of normal that is acceptable. Sometimes mothers have very quick labors and only push for a couple contractions while other births have longer second stages that can last up to 3 hours or more.

Third Stage Labor
Sometimes this stage of labor seems an afterthought for the happy parents who are welcoming their newborn child into the world but it is an important part of the birth process. During the third stage of labor the placenta separates from the uterus and is delivered. Third stage labor generally lasts between 15-45 minutes. Mothers are usually focused on holding and stroking their babies and many mothers are able to begin immediate breastfeeding during third stage labor which helps the uterus release the placenta.

Find out more about the Birth process with one of my favorite Dr. Sear's Book: