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Stage One
Stage 1: Your cervix begins to open to allow labor to be more smooth, with the help of your contractions. Try to drink, sleep and exercise as much as usual. You contractions will soon get stronger and once you feel a shortage of breath, that is when you should report to the hospital. -
Stage Two
Stage 2: At this point your cervix should be completely dilated. Contractions should be pushing the baby down your birth canal, and you will feel extreme pressure. The length of this stage will depend on how many children you've had previous to this, and how well your body takes it. -
Stage Three
Stage 3: This is when afterbirth will take place. Your uterus will begin to push out the placenta. The placenta will usually deliver about 5 to 15 minutes after the birth of the child. -
Stage Four
Stage 4: At this point the baby and placenta have been delivered. This is the stage of recovery so you should take things very easy and slow. Not long after the birth you child should be ready to eat, so make sure you are prepared for this step. Nursing right after the birth will decrease the amount of bleeding that will occur.