First of all, I would congratulate you that you have made it to the last stage! Now you might be curious to know what's in store for you, right? Let me tell you that there are two separate phases of labor. The first one is early or latent labor. The second one is active labor, which is further divided into three stages.

However, you can't predict exactly when the next stage of labor will begin. Some women get all the signs, yet deliver after several weeks while others get no signs, yet go into active labor within a few hours! Now, that's called nature's wonder!!

The First Stage - Early Or Latent Labor

You won't feel much discomfort during early labor. This stage is usually the longest part of delivery process. It may last from 1-3 days. Early labor comes with mild contractions that last from 30-45 seconds. They are irregular in nature. During this stage, you may dilate to 3 cm.

The best thing to do at this time is take a warm shower. Try to catch some sleep to prepare your body for the active labor stage. If you wish to hasten the labor process, go for long walks. It helps your baby to move further into the pelvis.

There is nothing to worry during this stage. You can function normally and be within the comforts of your home. Traditionally, the first time mothers experience a longer latent labor than those who already have kids.

The Second Stage - Active labor

Active labor is marked with three distinguishable phases:

• Phase 1 - The cervix dilates and wears away
• Phase 2 - The baby comes out
• Phase 3 - The placenta is expelled

Phase 1

As active labor starts, your cervix gets dilated and starts to thin out, making way for your baby to come out. This is the first phase, which begins when you dilate to 3-4 cm and may go up to 10 cm. The uterine contractions are severe and more frequent, lasting about 50-70 seconds and occurring at an interval of 2-3 minutes.

It is during this phase that the bag of water breaks in most cases. You may feel a lot of discomfort or pain in this stage. You doctor may prescribe you a pain reliever.

The first phase of active labor comes to an end with the transition phase. Here, your contractions become quite intense, as your baby shifts into the birth canal. You will be drowned in pain and may feel exhausted and anxious at the same time. At this point, you may begin to get the urge to push. You will dilate to as much as 10 cm now.

Phase 2

The second phase of active labor marks the actual birth of your bundle of joy. You will feel a tremendous urge to push your baby out during this phase. You may feel intense pressure in your vagina, pelvic area, and the back.

The process of pushing might be long or short. Usually, if you are a first time mom, you may find yourself pushing for 2-3 hours! However, there are some lucky women who push for only for minutes and voila, their baby is out!

Phase 3

The third phase of active labor marks the detachment and passing out of placenta from your body. Normally, this happens within half an hour after your baby is born. THE PASSING OF PLACENTA IS A VITAL PART OF DELIVERY PROCESS.

You might be required to push a little to expel the placenta. Most of the women are so busy with their newly born baby and the entire process of giving birth that they rarely notice the passing out of placenta.

The key to an easy delivery is to be comfortable as much as possible. The more anxious you are, the more painful you will find the process.

How to get relief from pain during labor?

There are three ways to get relief:

• Regional anesthetics, either spinal or epidurals, that alleviate the pain of contractions.
• Local anesthetic medications, which numb the area around vagina.
• General anesthesia that induces sleep. This is typically used for emergency C-sections.

It's good to talk to your doctor about pain relief options before you go into labor. You will be required to take these medications in the latent stage of labor. Remember, pain relievers DO NOT STOP THE PAIN, but make it less severe.