Every labour is unique. How quickly your labour progresses will depend on the baby descending going down through the pelvis and the cervix dilating opening up with strong, regular contractions. Print entire guide. Home Health and wellbeing Children's health, parenting and pregnancy Pregnancy and family planning Antenatal information Birth - frequently asked questions How long does labour last?
Print Birth - frequently asked questions How long does labour last? On average for your first baby, the: first stage of labour can last from 10 to 14 hours second stage of labour can take one to two hours to push your baby out third stage can last five to 45 minutes fourth stage is the first two hours after birth.
If you have had a baby before, the: first stage of labour can last from five to eight hours second stage can last from five minutes to an hour. In this guide: When does labour start?
If it's not your first time, it should be more like one hour. Research indicates that if this phase lasts for more than four hours it increases the risk that the baby will suffer complications due to lack of oxygen that could lead to brain damage, seizures, and breathing problems.
However, as with stage one, there's a wide variation and some lucky mothers can push the baby out in minutes. The hardest part is over. In this final stage of labor, contractions will continue, but they won't be nearly as painful nor will they be regular as with the first two stages of labor.
In this final stage, you'll deliver the placenta with a small push and slight traction on the umbilical cord by the obstetrician. If the placenta has detached from the uterus, it will only take about five minutes to deliver it.
However, the process can take as much as an hour, according to the Mayo Clinic. After labor, you should be proud of yourself for working hard and persevering through all the painful contractions.
Whether your labor lasts hours or days, the result will be the same: a baby is born and that can make the whole process worth it. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Women's Health. Primary Care. Mental Health. More Button Icon Circle with three vertical dots.
If you're a first-time mom, you may not even realize when you're officially in labor. It can be hard to distinguish Braxton Hicks contractions , also known as false contractions, from the real thing. But if your contractions gradually become stronger, last longer, and are getting closer together, chances are that labor has begun.
Even if you're in true labor, it may take a while before you're sure, so in the early stages of labor, you're better off at home where you'll be more comfortable. After all, a first-time mom can expect to be in labor for 12 to 14 hours, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
When it does come time to check in to the hospital or birthing center, keep in mind that things don't always or more accurately, don't usually go exactly as planned. You may not be able to get the epidural you wanted, or you may end up needing a cesarean. Keeping in mind that the stages of labor are different for every woman, and for each of her pregnancies, here's what you might expect.
Your physician will likely have told you when to call her or go to the hospital, but it's typically when contractions happen at regular intervals, such as every 8 or 10 minutes, and get closer together. Other indications that you're in labor include the "rupture of membranes" when your water breaks , losing the mucus plug , and passing bloody discharge called "bloody show.
This first stage of labor can be further broken down into different phases: the early or latent phase, the active phase, and the transition phase. The early phase of labor is sometimes lightheartedly called "the entertainment phase," because it's often helpful to focus your mind on other things so that you can pass the time without worrying about what's coming.
As long as contractions are still relatively mild and spaced farther than five or so minutes apart, most women spend the time at home, and maintain close contact with their practitioner. In general, contractions can be mild and somewhat irregular, coming from 5 to 30 minutes apart, lasting 30 to 45 seconds. You might see some pinkish discharge and feel a bit of abdominal discomfort.
The water may break rupture of membranes in this early phase, or this may happen later in the first or second stage, either on its own or with help from your practitioner. How Long It Lasts : This first step in the journey toward childbirth lasts an average of 6 to 10 hours for a first-time mother, but can be much shorter 2 to 5 hours if you've given birth before.
Contractions : During this phase, contractions usually last between 30 and 60 seconds; they generally start 20 minutes apart and move to about 5 minutes apart. Look for contractions that continue even if you move around, that get stronger, and that start in your back and move around to the front. What to Do : Anything that helps you relax, says Cooter. This phase is when the serious prep work for childbirth begins, and when most women begin to labor more intensely.
During the active phase, contractions usually come steadily, gradually increasing in intensity and frequency, from three to five minutes apart.
Pains may be centered in the lower back, abdomen, or thighs, and they may be intense enough to make it hard for you to talk. You might also experience an increased amount of pinkish or brownish discharge, or what's sometimes called a "bloody show. How Long It Lasts : This stage of labor lasts 3 to 6 hours for a first-time mom, and 1 to 3 hours for subsequent labors. If you've taken Pitocin , a drug that induces contractions, this phase may go more quickly, but if you've had an epidural, things can slow down.
Contractions : Contractions are increasingly more intense, last for 45 to 60 seconds, and are 3 to 5 minutes apart. Other Signs: Some women feel discomfort in their back and hips and cramping in their feet and legs; this is the point when many women ask for an epidural.
However, even with pain relief, active labor can unhinge some women's tempers. What to Do : By this point in labor, you have been admitted to the hospital or ensconced at your birthing center.
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