Labor, or childbirth, has 3 stages. The first stage is the longest. It can last up to 20 hours, especially if you are having your first child.
What Happens During Labor: Stage 1Labor, or childbirth, has 3 stages. The first stage is the longest. It can last up to 20 hours, especially if you are having your first child.Stage 1 starts when you enter true labor. That’s when you feel strong, frequent, and regular contractions. These contractions help to dilate, or widen, your cervix, which is the opening of your uterus.The cervix also thins out. This allows your baby to enter the vagina, or birth canal. Before your baby can move down the birth canal, the cervix needs to be fully dilated at about 10 centimeters, or about 4 inches.What happens in stage 1You may spend the early parts of stage 1 relaxing at home. During early labor, you may be encouraged to walk around or drink clear liquids to prevent dehydration.You may even eat. But check with your healthcare provider. He or she may advise against solids foods if you may need surgery to deliver your baby. This is called a caesarian section, or C-section.Gradually, your contractions will become longer, stronger, and more frequent. You will start to feel more pain.Many women go to the hospital once they are in active labor. At the hospital, your healthcare provider will regularly check your cervix. Your baby’s heart rate will be also monitored. This won’t prevent problems. But it can alert your healthcare provider about possible ones.Special listening devices or electronic equipment will be used to measure your baby’s heart rate during your labor pains.How to manage painDuring childbirth education classes, you learned many different ways to deal with the pain of labor. Now is the time to use them. You may want to try massage, walking, or changes in position. Breathing and relaxation exercises may also help.Many women also use medicine to help control their pain. Talk with your healthcare provider about your options. You may want to use pain relievers, or analgesics. These can ease your pain and allow you to rest between contractions.Or you may want anesthesia to remove pain. For example, an epidural can take away the pain in your uterus and pelvic area. It is the most common and safest type of anesthesia used during childbirth. Your healthcare provider will inject pain medicine into your lower back. With an epidural, you will be awake and able to participate in the birth of your baby.When stage 1 endsAs you near the end of stage 1, your contractions will become longer and stronger. You may have little time to relax between them. You may feel shaky and nauseated.At the end of stage 1, your cervix is fully dilated. And your baby has moved into position. Once your baby’s head starts to move down into the birth canal, you have entered stage 2 of labor.What we have learnedDuring stage 1 of labor, your cervix widens and thins out. True or false? The answer is "true." Your baby will be able to move down the birth canal once your cervix is fully dilated at about 10 centimeters.It’s OK to eat and drink while you are in labor. True or false? The answer is "true." But your healthcare provider may advise against eating solid foods if you may need a C-section.There is no safe pain relief available during childbirth. True or false? The answer is "false". You have many safe options for pain relief, including an epidural.
Author: Semko, Laura
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
