Stages of Labor — What to Expect from First Contraction to Delivery

Overview: The Three Stages of Labor

Labor has three main stages. Stage 1 is the longest stage. Stage 1 runs from the first real contractions until the cervix is fully dilated at 10 cm. Stage 2 is pushing and the birth of your baby. Stage 3 is when you deliver the placenta.

In Stage 1, clinicians usually split things into three phases: early labor, active labor, and transition. Each phase has its own contraction pattern. Each phase includes cervical changes. Each phase affects what you do and when you go to the hospital. A contraction timer is most useful during Stage 1, especially early and active labor, when tracking duration and frequency helps you recognize progress and decide when to call your provider or head in.

Stage 1: Early Labor

Early labor is the first phase of Stage 1. Contractions are typically 15 to 20 minutes apart, last 30 to 45 seconds, and the cervix dilates to about 3–4 cm. This phase can last from a few hours to a day or more. Honestly, it varies widely.

What it feels like

Early labor often feels like strong period cramps or lower back pressure. Some people describe it as a tightening band around the belly. Contractions are mild to moderate. In most cases, people can still talk, walk, and move comfortably between contractions. The uterus tightens, peaks, then relaxes fully before the next contraction.

How long it lasts

There is no fixed timeline. First-time parents often have longer early labor—sometimes 12 to 24 hours or more. People who’ve given birth before may progress faster. Prodromal labor—real contractions that do not progress for hours or days—can make early labor feel longer. Your healthcare provider can assess cervical change to see if you are making progress.

What to do

Stay home if you are comfortable. Rest, eat light snacks, stay hydrated, and move as you like. This is a good time to start using a contraction timer to record duration and frequency. If contractions stop with rest or a change in position, you may be experiencing Braxton Hicks rather than early labor. When contractions begin to follow a pattern and get closer together, keep tracking.

Stage 1: Active Labor

Active labor is when contractions become stronger, longer, and closer together. They usually come every 3 to 5 minutes. They usually last 45 to 60 seconds. During this time, the cervix usually dilates from about 4 to 7 cm. This is when the 5-1-1 rule applies.

The 5-1-1 rule and when to go to the hospital

The 5-1-1 rule is a common guideline: when contractions come every 5 minutes, each lasts about 1 minute, and this pattern has continued for at least 1 hour, it is generally time to head to the hospital or call your midwife. Your provider may give you different instructions based on your pregnancy, your distance from the hospital, or your medical history.

If your water breaks, you notice bleeding, contractions become unbearable, or you feel like something is wrong, contact your provider immediately, no matter what the contraction pattern looks like. See our guide on when to go to the hospital for more signs to watch for.

Stage 1: Transition

Transition is the final phase of Stage 1. The cervix dilates from 7 to 10 cm. Contractions are 2 to 3 minutes apart. They’re often 60 to 90 seconds long. They are usually the most intense part of labor. A lot of people say this is the hardest phase.

What to expect

Contractions may feel like they run together with little rest between them. You may feel shaky, nauseated, or overwhelmed. Transition is usually short. It often lasts 15 minutes to an hour. But it can feel longer when you're in it. Here's the thing, once transition is over, you move to pushing. The intense, close contractions often shift in character.

Stage 2: Pushing and Delivery

Stage 2 begins when the cervix is fully dilated (10 cm) and ends when the baby is born. You will feel an urge to push—often described as overwhelming pressure—and your body and your care team will work together to guide the baby through the birth canal.

What happens

With each contraction, you push. Between contractions, you rest. Your provider or midwife will tell you when to push and how to do it. With each push, the baby moves down. The head crowns first. Then the rest of the body is born.

How long it lasts

Stage 2 typically lasts 20 minutes to 2 hours for first-time parents, and often less for those who have given birth before. It can be longer or shorter depending on position, baby’s size and position, and many other factors. Breathing techniques can help you stay focused and effective during pushing.

Stage 3: Delivery of the Placenta

Stage 3 is the delivery of the placenta. This usually happens within 5 to 30 minutes of the baby's birth. You may feel mild contractions during this part. The uterus contracts to separate and expel the placenta. Your provider may give a small dose of medication (such as Pitocin). This medication helps the uterus contract. It can also reduce bleeding. Once the placenta is out, the uterus keeps contracting. These contractions help control bleeding. This stage is typically brief and straightforward.

How Contraction Timing Relates to Each Stage

Contraction duration and frequency map roughly to labor phases. Early labor contractions are often 15–20 minutes apart. Early labor contractions often last 30–45 seconds. Active labor contractions are often 3–5 minutes apart. Active labor contractions often last 45–60 seconds. This is usually where the 5-1-1 rule fits. Transition contractions are often 2–3 minutes apart. Transition contractions often last 60–90 seconds. These numbers are guidelines, not rules. Individual contraction patterns vary.

A contraction timer records duration and frequency so you can see whether you are progressing from early to active labor. A contraction timer does not measure cervical dilation. Only a pelvic exam can measure cervical dilation. But contraction patterns often correlate with labor progress.

When to use a contraction timer during each stage

Early labor: Start timing when you notice a pattern. Tracking helps you see if contractions are getting closer together. It also helps you see if contractions are lasting longer. Use the timer or a Contraction Timer app to record each one.

Active labor: Keep timing. The 5-1-1 pattern is a key signal that it may be time to go. The app can alert you when it detects this pattern.

Transition and pushing: By this point, you are usually at the hospital or with your midwife. Your care team may take over monitoring. You can still use the timer if it helps you. But a lot of people end up focusing on coping and pushing instead.

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Limitations

This guide is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Labor varies widely between individuals. Cervical dilation, not contraction timing alone, determines labor progress. Only a healthcare provider can assess your cervix. Only a healthcare provider can give you personalized guidance.

A contraction timer records what you input; it does not detect contractions automatically or diagnose labor stages. If your water breaks, you notice bleeding, or something feels wrong, contact your provider immediately regardless of what the timer shows.