What to Expect During Your First Childbirth Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print Obstetrics / Maternity Back to Obstetrics / Maternity Leadership Reproductive Psychology Leadership Locations High-Risk Pregnancy Leadership Services Maternal-Fetal Care Unit Perinatal Outreach Program Leadership Conditions We Treat Locations Women's Health Services Send Us a Message Newly Pregnant Common Questions About Having a Baby Prenatal Diagnosis Center Leadership Prenatal Testing Services Genetic Counseling Pregnancy Ultrasound Amniocentesis Antenatal Testing Expanded AFP Genetic Testing Fetal Echocardiography Specialized Services Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) Patient Guide Preparing for Delivery Pre-Admission First Baby What to Expect Carrying Your Baby Full Term Childbirth Videos Going Home Mom Care Baby Care Lactation Program Postpartum Depression Classes & Maternity Tour Take a Maternity Tour Childbirth Series 1-Day Intensive Childbirth Series 2-Day Intensive Childbirth Refresher The Elective Cesarean Option Cesarean Birth VBAC 101: Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Labor Comfort & Support Ask an Anesthesiologist: Epidurals & More Breastfeeding: Birth & Beyond Baby Basics Infant Safety & CPR Jewish Expectant Parent Workshop FAQs Clinical Trials Women's Health Services Quality Measures Send Us a Message First Baby What to Expect As your expected due date approaches, you might be wondering what to expect during childbirth. While each labor and birth is unique, the process of a vaginal delivery follows four stages: First Stage early labor active labor and transition , Second Stage pushing and birth , Third Stage (delivery of the placenta), and Fourth Stage (uterus returns to original size). Attending childbirth classes at Cedars-Sinai is another way to help ease your labor fears. View Childbirth Classes First Stage early labor active labor and transition During Early Labor What to Expect: You will begin to notice tightening sensations in your abdomen called contractions. These contractions can last up to 60 seconds and can be between 5 to 30 minutes apart. Contractions will increase in strength and frequency as your labor progresses. At this time, your cervix will start to dilate (open) and will reach 6 centimeters by the end of this phase. How Long It Will Last: Early labor is the longest part of labor and can last 12 to 24 hours or longer if this is your first baby. Because of this, it is important to be patient and try to rest as much as possible. Tips for Coping With Early Labor Pace yourself: Balance rest and activity to conserve your energy Distraction: Ignore labor until you can’t ignore it anymore Reading, cooking, puzzles, neighborhood walks, watching TV Comfort measures: massage, shower, music Eat light snacks and stay hydrated You and/or your partner can time your contractions: how long they last and how often they happen Arriving to Labor and Delivery If you are at least 37 weeks, expecting a single baby and have no medical complications, you should continue to stay at home until it is difficult to breathe through or talk through contractions. If you arrive at Labor and Delivery in early labor, after careful evaluation of you and your baby, your doctor may recommend that you return when you are further along in labor. The earlier you are admitted in your labor process, the longer your hospital stay. When to Call Your Doctor Not all labor is the same; follow your doctor’s or midwife’s advice. If you experience any of the following, call your provider or come to the hospital: Your water breaks/membranes rupture You experience vaginal bleeding that is more than spotting You have regular, painful contractions that are less than 5 minutes apart for several hours You are concerned that your baby is moving less During Active Labor What to Expect: Your contractions are stronger, longer and closer together. Contractions can last up to 60 to 90 seconds and are approximately 2 to 5 minutes apart. Dilation typically happens more rapidly in active labor than in early labor, your cervix dilates to 6 to 8 centimeters. How Long It Will Last: For many people giving birth for the first time, active labor typically lasts 4 to 8 hours. During Transition What to Expect: Your contractions are the strongest, longest and closest together. Contractions can last 60 to 120 seconds and are usually 2 to 3 minutes apart. Your cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters and when you reach 10 centimeters, you begin the second stage. How Long It Will Last: This is usually the shortest part of the first stage of labor. Tips for Coping With Active Labor and Transition Walking, changing positions, slow or rhythmic breathing during contractions Visualizations or aromatherapy Massage, counter-pressure or other hands-on techniques Pain medication (epidural analgesia) is available if you desire Utilize your support person for coaching and encouragement Second Stage pushing and birth What to Expect: Your cervix has fully dilated to 10 centimeters. You may feel pressure and the urge to push. Your doctor or midwife will let you know when to start pushing. How Long It Will Last: On average this stage can last 1 ½ to 2 hours with your first baby. However, you only push when you are having a contraction and you can rest in between. Third and Fourth Stages after delivery What to Expect: Your placenta is delivered. You may experience chills or shakiness during this time. This stage can take up to 30 minutes. Once the placenta is delivered, you enter the fourth stage of labor as your uterus returns to its original size. Many people feel light cramping during this period. Pain Management During Labor and Childbirth Pain during childbirth is unique to each person’s expectations and goals. This can be due to beliefs about pain in labor, pain tolerance, support in labor and delivery, and previous injury or trauma. There are both medicated and nonmedicated options available. Discuss with your provider the pain management options available to you during your labor and childbirth. Tips for Dealing With Labor Pains Watch this video to learn how to manage labor pains that begin at home and explore your pain-management choices once you get to the hospital. If Your Baby Is Breech In the final weeks before birth, most babies move in the womb so their head faces down toward the birth canal. When a baby's bottom or feet point down, it's called breech presentation. If that happens, many birthing people will have a planned cesarean delivery. In some cases, you may still be able to have a vaginal birth—especially if your doctor is able to perform an "external version," which helps turn your baby in the right direction. Turning your breech baby (PDF) If You Need A Cesarean Delivery Most birth plans include having a vaginal delivery, however, there are times where an unscheduled, or even an emergency, cesarean delivery is necessary. A cesarean delivery is a procedure where a baby is delivered through a surgical incision in the birthing person’s stomach and uterus. Your doctor may require you to have an unplanned cesarean delivery for several reasons - labor is not progressing, contractions are too weak, the umbilical cord is pinched or wrapped, abnormal heart beat is detected in the fetus, there is an issue with the placenta, the baby is too large, or the baby is breech. Understanding what to expect with a cesarean birth will help you better prepare in the event you require this procedure. To learn more about the risks and benefits of a cesarean delivery, watch the Elective Primary Cesarean video. You can also sign up for these classes: The Elective Cesarean Option Cesarean Birth Pre-Admission You can save time on delivery day by filling out forms in advance. Find out how to pre-register for admission to Cedars-Sinai. LEARN MORE Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility