Home / Guides / Birth

Understanding labor: what to know early in pregnancy

NNova editorial team · 4 min read

Labor usually happens in three stages: cervical dilation, birth of the baby, and delivery of the placenta. Knowing this sequence can ease fear and make it easier to talk with your provider about pain relief, support, and when to go to the hospital.

Labor usually happens in stages

Knowing what to expect often makes the process feel less frightening. Labor is commonly described in three stages: cervical dilation, birth of the baby, and delivery of the placenta.

What happens at each stage

  • Stage 1: contractions become regular and the cervix gradually opens
  • Stage 2: once the cervix is fully open, the baby moves through the birth canal and is born
  • Stage 3: after the birth, the placenta comes out, and your care team checks for bleeding

What sensations are common

  • Increasing pressure in the lower belly and back
  • Waves of pain that come and go
  • Tiredness, shaking, nausea, or the urge to push

During labor, movement, breathing, support from a partner or doula, and different pain relief options can all help. These range from water and changing positions to medication. Many providers recommend talking through your preferences before labor starts.

If birth still feels far away, you do not need to memorize these details now. The goal is simply to make the process feel less intimidating.
Call your provider or go to the hospital right away if you have heavy bleeding, constant severe pain, a sudden change in how you feel, or leaking of green or brown fluid.

Learn more

Follow your pregnancy in Nova

Week-by-week growth, a symptom log and a report for your doctor.

Get it on the App Store

General information only; it does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife.