Giving Birth

1st Stage Labour

The first stage has three phases: early, active, and transition. It begins with contractions that continue to increase in length and intensity, and ends when the cervix is fully dilated.

Early First Stage

What is happening?

• Your cervix is softening and opening to about 3‑4 centimetres.
• The baby’s head is coming down in your pelvis.
• You may have some diarrhea.
• You may notice “show” (slightly pink, vaginal mucus).
• Your water (amniotic sac) may leak or rupture.

What might you be feeling?

• Backache and pelvic pressure, as if your period is starting. Some women will feel discomfort in their thighs, hips, and abdomen.
• Contractions may feel like cramps and may last about 20‑45 seconds.
• Contractions may not be regular. They may start every 10‑20 minutes, or you may not be aware of them at first.

What can you and your support person do?

• Carry on your usual activities as long as possible. Go for a walk, try to sleep or rest, make meals.
• Breathe in a normal manner until you can no longer talk or walk through contractions, then start with slow breathing as needed.
• Eat a light meal and drink fluids.
• Take a shower if someone is nearby to help you.
• If your water breaks or leaks, put on a sanitary pad and call your health care provider.
• If your water leaks or breaks and the liquid is green, go to the hospital. Green means your baby has had a bowel movement. This may happen for no reason. It may also happen if your baby has been stressed or is in a breech position.

Active First Stage

What is happening?

• Contractions may be moderate in strength. They may come every 3‑5 minutes and last 45‑60 seconds.
• Show may become heavy, dark, and bloody.
• Your cervix continues to open.
• Your baby’s head continues to move down in your pelvis.
• Your health care provider will listen to the fetal heart rate every 15‑30 minutes or more often if necessary.

What might you be feeling?

• Serious, quiet, and thinking mostly about yourself and your labour.
• In need of quiet support.
• Wondering if you can cope with contractions.
• Contractions will be stronger and more uncomfortable.

What can you and your support person do?

• Use positions that are most comfortable. Try to keep moving between contractions. If you are tired, rest between contractions.
• Use relaxation techniques. To find out how, click here.
• Continue slow and light breathing or using breathing techniques you like. To find out how, click here.
• Concentrate on one contraction at a time.
• Sip fluids between contractions or suck on ice chips.
• Pee frequently.
• Have a warm shower while sitting on a chair or leaning on your partner.

Transition Stage

What is happening?

• Your cervix is now almost fully dilated.
• The baby moves down further into your pelvis. This puts pressure on your bottom.
• Contractions may be strong. They may come every 2‑3 minutes and last 60 seconds.
• Your health care provider will listen to the fetal heart rate every 15‑30 minutes.

What might you be feeling?

• Moments of panic and confusion.
• More and more irritable, sensitive, having trouble saying what you need.
• Some nausea and vomiting.
• Leg cramps.
• Trembling of arms and legs.
• Hot or cold flashes.
• Constant discomfort with no relief between contractions.
• Sweating on your face.
• A strong urge to push with contractions.

What can you and your support person do?

• You need a lot of support during transition.
• Picture your cervix and body opening to let your baby out.
• Tell someone if you have the urge to push.
• If you have the urge to push and you are not fully dilated (10 centimetres), use panting until you are fully dilated.