Stages of labour

Stages of labour

Labour is divided into four stages.

1. The first stage of labour is the slow opening of your cervix.
2. The second stage is the birth of your baby.
3. The third stage is separation and birth of the placenta.
4. The fourth stage is the first two hours after birth.

The main signs of labour starting are:

• contractions
• a ‘show’ (a mucous blood-tinged vaginal discharge)
• waters breaking.

In this guide:

1. Baby’s journey of labour
2. Hormones during labour
3. Stages of labour
4. First stage of labour
5. Second stage of labour
6. Third stage of labour
7. The fourth stage

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