Labor is the process your body goes through to open the cervix and move your baby out of the uterus and through the birth canal. It unfolds in stages, and each one asks something different of you. Knowing what those stages look like, how to get ready, and when to head to the hospital turns a day full of unknowns into something you can plan for. This 2026 update of our labor guide walks through each piece in order.
What Are the Stages of Labor?
Labor has three stages, and the first is by far the longest. Stage one begins with regular contractions and ends when the cervix is fully open at 10 centimeters. Early labor is the slow stretch where contractions are mild and spaced out, the cervix opens to about 6 centimeters, and most first-time moms are best off at home. Active labor is when contractions come every three to five minutes, last about a minute, and are strong enough that you cannot talk through them. The final part, called transition, is the most intense and usually the shortest.
Stage two is pushing and birth, which can take minutes to hours and is often longer with a first baby or an epidural. Stage three is delivering the placenta, usually within 30 minutes.
How to Prepare Your Body for Labor
Your body does most of the preparation on its own in the last weeks, but a few habits help. Keep walking or doing gentle activity daily unless your provider has said otherwise, since stamina matters for a long first stage. Practice slow breathing and positions like leaning forward over a birth ball, the same ones that ease contractions later. Sleep on your side when you can, and eat regular meals with protein and complex carbs so you go into labor with energy in reserve.
Around 36 weeks, your provider will check for group B strep and talk through your birth plan, so bring questions to that prenatal visit. It is also the week to pack, and our guide to what to bring to the hospital covers the list.
Getting Emotionally Ready for Birth
Fear of the unknown makes pain feel worse, so learning what to expect is a form of pain relief. Take a childbirth class, tour the hospital where you will deliver, and decide who will be in the room. Tell your support person what helps you when you are stressed, whether that is quiet, touch, distraction, or coaching.
Write down your preferences, then hold them loosely. Babies do not read birth plans, and a labor that changes course is not a failure. A plan that leaves room for the unexpected is the one that protects your peace of mind.
When to Go to the Hospital for Labor
Call our office or go to the hospital when any of the following happen:
- Contractions come every five minutes, last about a minute, and have kept that pattern for an hour (the 5-1-1 rule; go sooner if you have delivered before or live far away)
- Your water breaks, even without contractions, especially if the fluid is green or brown
- You have bright red bleeding heavier than spotting
- Your baby is moving noticeably less than usual
- You have a severe headache, vision changes, or sudden swelling of the face and hands
- You are less than 37 weeks pregnant and having regular contractions
Before that point, early labor is usually easier at home. Rest, shower, eat lightly, and time contractions from the start of one to the start of the next.
What Are My Pain Management Options During Labor?
You can mix and match, and you can change your mind. Non-medical options include walking, rocking, warm showers, massage, breathing patterns, and a birth ball, and many women rely on these through early labor. Some hospitals offer nitrous oxide that you can control for short-term relief.
IV pain medication takes the edge off for an hour or two but does not remove pain. An epidural is the most effective option and is placed by an anesthesiologist once you are in active labor. It numbs from the belly down while you stay awake, and it can be adjusted for pushing. Ask your provider which options your delivery hospital offers so nothing is a surprise on the day.
Your Next Step Before the Big Day
If you are in the third trimester and have not yet reviewed your birth plan with your provider, schedule an appointment at Care for Womens Medical Group in Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Chino Hills, or Eastvale. We will review your options and help you walk in prepared. If you are earlier in pregnancy, our guides to your first OB visit and to each trimester will keep you on track until then.
