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What are the three stages of labor?
Q: What are the three stages of labor?
A: Labor is described as having three stages:
- First stage -- from the beginning of true labor until the cervix is fully dilated
- Second stage -- from the time that the cervix reaches 10 centimeters dilation until the baby is delivered
- Third stage -- from the time the baby is delivered until the placenta is delivered
The first stage, obviously, is the longest, and this stage itself consists of three phases:
- The latent phase -- also known as early labor. It is from the beginning of labor until the cervix is 3 to 4 centimeters. This varies in length considerably, depending on whether it's your fist baby and other factors.
- The active phase -- from the time your cervix reaches 3 to 4 centimeters until it reaches about 7 centimeters. Generally your cervix will dilate 1 to 1 ½ centimeters during this phase and you may be asking for pain medication or an epidural.
- The transition phase -- taking your cervix from 7 centimeters to 10 centimeters (full dilation). During this phase the contractions come very close together and you may progress through this period in 15 minutes to an hour or two.
The second stage of labor, the delivery, typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour and a half, though it can last significantly longer, especially with first-time moms, and especially if there is an epidural on board.
The third stage lasts anywhere from a minute or two up to 30 to 60 minutes, although it is usually in the several-minute range.
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