{"id":998,"date":"2023-03-28T21:51:04","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T21:51:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chministries.org\/?p=998"},"modified":"2023-09-20T18:31:50","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T18:31:50","slug":"stages-of-labor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chministries.org\/blog\/stages-of-labor\/","title":{"rendered":"Stages of labor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Labor might seem like a scary concept with a lot of unknowns, but it doesn\u2019t have to be that way. It\u2019s good to be prepared with the knowledge of what\u2019s to come so when it\u2019s time to meet your baby, you can go into it with\u00a0full confidence<\/a>, embracing the\u00a0joy<\/a>\u00a0and excitement that fear can rob from you during the stages of labor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sequence of events is different for everyone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every woman\u2019s labor is different. And your labor may be different each time you have a baby. But there are patterns to labor<\/a> that are true for most women. Sometimes, labor is over in a matter of hours. Other times, labor lasts a day or more. You won’t know how labor and childbirth will unfold for you until it happens. However, you can prepare by learning about each stage of labor and the typical sequence of events. Here’s what to expect during the three stages of labor and birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First stage of labor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first stage of labor and birth is characterized by dilation and cervical effacement. It starts when you feel consistent contractions that cause the cervix to open (dilate) and soften, shorten, and thin (efface). This allows your baby to move lower into your pelvis and into your birth canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first stage of labor is the longest stage, and it\u2019s divided into early labor and active labor. For a first-time mom (or a primipara), it can last from 12 to 19 hours on average. It may be shorter for moms who\u2019ve already had children<\/a>. This stage of labor ends when you are 10 centimeters dilated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early labor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As your cervix begins to open, you might notice a clear pink or slightly bloody discharge from your vagina. You may feel mild contractions that come every 5 to 15 minutes and last 60 to 90 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a great time for you to rely on your labor support person. For first-time moms<\/a>, early labor can last from six hours to a day or more. This phase is often much shorter for moms who have already had children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you can do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n