How long labor lasts

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. Once the placenta has come away from your womb, your midwife pulls the cord — which is attached to the placenta — and pulls the placenta out through your vagina.

This usually happens within 30 minutes of your baby being born. Active management speeds up the delivery of the placenta and lowers your risk of having heavy bleeding after the birth postpartum haemorrhage , but it increases the chance of you feeling and being sick. It can also make afterpains contraction-like pains after birth worse. Read about preventing heavy bleeding on our page What happens straight after the birth. The cord is not cut until it has stopped pulsing.

This means blood is still passing from the placenta to your baby. This usually takes around 2 to 4 minutes. Once the placenta has come away from your womb, you should feel some pressure in your bottom and you'll need to push the placenta out. It can take up to an hour for the placenta to come away, but it usually only takes a few minutes to push it out.

If the placenta does not come away naturally or you begin to bleed heavily, you'll be advised by your midwife or doctor to switch to active management. You can do this at any time during the 3rd stage of labour. Read more about what happens straight after you give birth. Page last reviewed: 20 March Next review due: 20 March Home Pregnancy Labour and birth What happens in labour and birth Back to What happens in labour and birth. The stages of labour and birth. If your labour starts at night, try to stay comfortable and relaxed.

Sleep if you can. When to contact a midwife Contact your midwifery team if: your contractions are regular and you're having about 3 in every minute period your waters break your contractions are very strong and you feel you need pain relief you're worried about anything If you go into hospital or your midwifery unit before your labour has become established, they may suggest you go home again for a while.

You can either walk around or get into a position that feels comfortable to labour in. When you reach the end of the 1st stage of labour, you may feel an urge to push. Monitoring your baby in labour Your midwife will monitor you and your baby during labour to make sure you're both coping well.

These pads are attached to a monitor that shows your baby's heartbeat and your contractions Sometimes a clip called a foetal heart monitor can be attached to the baby's head instead.

A foetal scalp monitor will usually only be removed just as your baby is born, not before. Speeding up labour Labour can sometimes be slower than expected. Breaking your waters Breaking the membrane that contains the fluid around your baby your waters is often enough to make contractions stronger and more regular. Oxytocin drip If breaking your waters does not work, your doctor or midwife may suggest using a drug called oxytocin also known as syntocinon to make your contractions stronger.

Finding a position to give birth in Your midwife will help you find a comfortable position to give birth in. Pushing your baby out When your cervix is fully dilated, your baby will move further down the birth canal towards the entrance to your vagina.

Do whatever makes you feel more comfortable and if something isn't working, stop. Drink and eat, as recommended. You might be offered light, clear beverages or ice chips to replace fluid and keep your mouth moist. Request an epidural, if you want one. An epidural can be given as soon as you feel you need it and you'll probably want to ask for it before things get too intense since the procedure takes some time and it can take about 30 minutes after it's inserted before it starts to work.

Your practitioner may suggest other tactics to ease your discomfort first, like sitting in water before you start pushing, getting a massage, or changing positions.

If you do want an epidural, your anesthesiologist will get an IV going. Be prepared for other interventions as necessary. ACOG guidelines call for fewer or delayed labor interventions in low-risk women who are progressing normally through labor. Use the toilet periodically. Continue to urinate regularly: A full bladder can slow down your progress. During the third and final phase of labor, called transitional labor, your cervix will dilate to 10 centimeters as you experience strong contractions about every two to three minutes, though it can vary.

Very strong and painful contractions. Because they're spaced only about two or three minutes apart, it may seem like you barely get to relax before the next contraction begins. Full dilation. Your cervix will dilate from about 7 to 8 centimeters up to the final 10 centimeters — when it will be time to deliver your baby.

Bloody show will increase, as capillaries in the cervix rupture. Pressure in your back and abdomen. General discomfort. You may feel sweaty, chilled, shaky or achy. One or both legs may be completely numb if you've had an epidural. And you may have other forms of discomfort too, though you may not experience any of these symptoms. Fatigue and drowsiness. This last phase of labor can be physically demanding and draining, but it can also be exhilarating. You may feel impatient — or elated.

Hang in there! Resist the urge to push. Pushing before dilation is complete could cause your cervix to swell, which can postpone delivery.

If you feel the urge to push, ask your practitioner or doula for guidance. Try to relax between contractions with slow, deep, rhythmic breathing. Speak up. Ask for an epidural, if you want one. Your birth team will tell you when it's no longer possible to have one. Be prepared to wait some more. Keep your eye on the prize.

That bundle of joy will soon be in your arms! These are all signs that things are moving along. You may have friends or family members who recall their labours lasting two days or three days. Although this phase is uncomfortable, it's nothing like as intense as active labour and the second stage.

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