Why I am here and who I am:
Why I am here and who I am:
Hey mama, I’m Trish—labor nurse, birth educator, mama of seven, and founder of Labor Nurse Mama.
After helping thousands of women in both the hospital and online, I created this blog to bridge the gap between medical lingo and mama-friendly education.
Birth doesn’t have to be scary.
When you understand what’s happening in your body, you become more confident and less fearful.
Whether you’re the kind of girl who wants all the details or you’re more of a “just give me the basics” type, I’ve got you.
And if you're looking to go deeper, I have two options: my full Calm Labor, Confident Birth Course (hello, all-in prep!) and my Express Birth Class Bundle with a guided ebook and private podcast-style class (perfect for a binge-learning weekend).
Let’s dive into what really goes down during labor!
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What are the stages of labor?
There are four stages of labor, and each one plays a critical role in your birth story.
Here they are in a nutshell:
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First Stage: Cervix dilates from 0 to 10 cm.
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Second Stage: Baby is pushed out.
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Third Stage: Placenta is delivered.
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Fourth Stage: Recovery and bonding.
Each stage feels totally different, comes with unique signs, and calls for specific support.
Understanding them will help you know what's normal and when to advocate for yourself.
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What are the three phases of labor?
Within the first stage of labor, there are three phases:
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Early Labor (Latent Phase)
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Active Labor
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Transition Phase
These phases reflect how your cervix progresses and how intense your contractions become.
How will I know I’m in labor?
Ahh, the million-dollar question. Many mamas ask me, “How will I know if it's the real thing?”
Here’s the truth:
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Real labor contractions don’t go away with hydration, rest, or a warm bath.
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They grow in intensity and become closer together.
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You feel them in your lower back and wrap around to the front.
If you're timing contractions and they're about 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour (5-1-1 rule), labor might be starting.
But remember—every mama is different, just like each pregnancy will be, so tune into your body.
What happens during the first stage of labor?
This is the longest stage of labor. It's the one where your cervix does the heavy lifting—going from fully closed (0 cm) to fully dilated (10 cm). This stage is broken down into the three phases we mentioned earlier.
During this stage the baby is moving farther down the birth canal into the pelvis and putting pressure on the cervix.
Let’s break those down.
The first stage of labor is broken down into three phases. Let's talk about each one.
What is Early Labor
Early labor is when your cervix dilates from 0 to about 6 cm. Contractions might be mild, short, and irregular. It could last hours or even days (especially for first-time moms).
What to expect:
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Mild contractions, maybe every 5–20 minutes
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Backache, cramps, or pressure
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Excitement and maybe some anxiety
My advice? Stay home, rest, hydrate, and distract yourself. It’s not time to rush to the hospital just yet. Stay home, shower, and distract!
This is probably when you will call your health care provider and let them know labor has started.
Girl this is a long phase of labor. It can last anywhere from 8-12 hours, depending on your body.
If you have it in your mind that it won't be long, get rid of that thought. This is when dilation is happening!
Baby's head puts pressure on the cervix causing it to dilate and thin out (aka effacement) knowing where baby is in the pelvis and how to move your body is powerful.
Wait, unless you've had a baby, in that case, the path has been paved, and you might breeze through early labor.
What I mean is that you may be thinking, “Am I?”, “Nah,” “Maybe, I'm in labor,” “Nah” This is the stage of walking around, getting crap done at home, and thinking maybe I should call my health care provider. doctor.
For an induced mama, the first stage of labor is long and tedious. It feels unending and like nothing is happening. Being tied down to a bed, which is what happens in most inductions, is very difficult.
The first stage of labor experienced in a hospital bed is mental, emotionally and physically exhausting.
Whether you are home or in the hospital, take a warm shower, walk the halls, and keep moving.
You might become discouraged, but remember that if you were at home most of this first stage of labor, you wouldn't have noticed. It's normal for it to take a while to get through this stage of labor if your body is being forced.
Typically once you hit 5cm, you will progress about a cm an hour. TYPICALLY.
If you notice amniotic fluid, even a trickle, note the time and watch for these signs. If you think your water broke, do not have sex, and some docs say no tub. But you probably can, if it is clean!
The Active Phase of Labor
Here’s where things get real. Active labor means your cervix is dilating from 6 to 8 cm and contractions pick up in intensity and rhythm.
What to expect:
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Stronger, longer contractions (every 3–5 minutes)
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Less talking between contractions
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More focus and possibly some vocalizing
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Continue relaxation techniques, as mindset is key.
This is the phase where support really matters.
Your birth team should be tuned in and offering physical and emotional support.
If you haven't prepared or made a marriage style commitment to go unmedicated birth, you will most likely cave now and get an epidural.
If you have not had your water broken, this is the stage it will most likely break.
It feel like a massive relief of pressure if you are having a natural birth. If you already have an epidural, you won't know the difference.
This stage is hard. I won't lie. It's exhausting. But you can do it. I promise. Keep moving around. Drink plenty of fluids.
Continue to breathe deep breaths, profoundly getting air to your little pumpkin.
Have someone learn this phrase to use during your contractions, “, stop and take a deep breath, breathe in and get air to _, breath out. Now breathe in and out, slowly.”
Remember each contraction is a small battle. It will end.
The Transition Phase
Transition is the shortest but most intense part of labor. Your cervix is moving from 8 to 10 cm and your body is prepping to push.
What to expect:
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Very intense contractions, often back-to-back
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Shaking, nausea, or vomiting
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Self-doubt or “I can’t do this” moments
Mama, this is where you need encouragement the most. You’re so close.
How Transition Feels
Ok, prepare yourself cause this one is a doozy. It's the stage where all hell breaks loose, and you want to freak, the freak out. Well, if you are an unmedicated patient that is.
Epidural and unmedicated “natural” patients may start shaking as the hormones are released.
Don't forget that even though you aren't always aware of it, your body is working super hard.
Unmedicated patients during this stage a mama may have moments of near breakdown.
You will say “I can't do it” Read this “Do you want to have an unmedicated birth?”
Signs of the transition phase
- nausea
- vomiting
- chills
- hot flashes
- shaking
- emotional breakdown
- anger
- aggravation
- behavioral changes
- exorcist moments
The second stage of labor
This is the pushing stage. Your cervix is fully dilated, and your body will naturally bear down. It can last minutes or hours.
What to expect:
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Intense pressure
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A strong urge to push
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A burst of energy or focus
You might push in different positions (side, squatting, hands-and-knees). Your nurse or provider will guide you, but your instincts matter, too.
If I can give you one piece of advice for this stage of labor, it is this:
Don't quit pushing during the intense burning.
You will want to, but it's the one way to prolong the burn.
If you push through it, you will make it end. It's contrary to our way of thinking.
Our brain says, “Damn, that hurts, stop doing it” but that is the primary way you will fail to move past it.
Try my candle breathing tip, just act like you are blowing out a dle. Short little puffs.
Have someone consistently say to you, push through the burn.
Most likely with or without an epidural, you will feel an urge to push.
If you are natural, come hell or high water, you can't resist it.
Depending on the level of a block you have from your epidural, will determine if you can withstand it.
The pressure you feel in your booty, during this stage of labor, is mind-boggling. You feel like a human is coming OUT OF YOUR BUTT.
This is the number one sign that you are in this stage.
That sweet little head, you will soon kiss, is pushing itself on your rectum and that's no fun.
You are about to experience the biggest poop ever. A baby poop!
The third stage of labor
This is the delivery of the placenta, and yes, it’s still part of labor. It usually happens within 5–30 minutes after the baby is born.
What to expect:
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Mild contractions
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A gush of blood
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The placenta slides out (sometimes with help from your provider)
Your uterus will start to contract down and your care team will make sure everything looks good.
This is it girly, the last stage of actual labor.
This is from the birth of the baby until the delivery of the placenta.
This stage is typically the shortest stage of labor, lasting anywhere from 5-30 minutes.
You might feel cramping right before you deliver the placenta.
The placenta coming out does not hurt. It's a blob that slides out with a minimal push.
The fourth stage of labor
This is early postpartum recovery. It lasts about 1–4 hours and is all about monitoring and bonding.
What to expect:
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Uterine massage (not the fun kind, sorry)
- Repair if needed
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Skin-to-skin contact
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Initial breastfeeding or bonding time
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Monitoring for excess bleeding
This is a sacred time. Don’t be afraid to ask for space or help.
The immediate postpartum stage lasts for four hours after birth.
This is the stage when we watch you for postpartum bleeding issues.
Most likely in a hospital setting, you will receive a bag of Pitocin through your IV. (You do not have to- listen to this podcast)
Typically, you will stay in the labor and delivery department at this stage.
If you have had an epidural, we will wait until your legs are not numb, get you up to the bathroom, and clean you, before moving you to postpartum.
For an unmedicated momma, we do that sooner, but still, take you over to postpartum around two hours post-birth.
If it's your first baby, you may feel slight cramp like contractions.
However, the more babies you have given birth to, the more after-contractions you will experience.
It's no fun. Ask for ibuprofen and take it around the clock.
Most often, the after contractions for a momma who has had a few babies can be very difficult.
Think period cramps at the onset of your menstrual cycle. Hell.
Remember the postpartum stage is the first year of your motherhood.
Be prepared, this is the best way to combat emotional strain.
Check out my postpartum guide!
Related post: 6 signs of labor according to a labor nurse
When to go to the hospital for labor
Here’s the guideline I always share:
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If your contractions follow the 5-1-1 rule
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Your water breaks (especially if it’s green or brown)
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You’re bleeding like a period
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Baby is moving less than usual
If in doubt? Call your provider. Better safe than sorry.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the stages of labor gives you the power to feel more in control, more prepared, and way less freaked out.
You don’t have to go into birth blind—you can go in bold.
If you want step-by-step support from a labor nurse who's seen it all, my Calm Labor, Confident Birth course is the go-to for thousands of moms. And if you need a fast track?
Grab the Express Birth Class Bundle – an easy-read ebook plus private podcast class to binge this weekend.
Birth doesn’t have to feel like the unknown. You were made for this, mama.
Just a little Disclaimer: As always, I am just writing my thoughts and what I’ve learned along the way. Although I am in fact a labor and delivery RN, This is not medical advice. You should always seek and follow the advice of your care provider.
This post may contain some affiliate links (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Thank you! For our full disclosure read here)
