Labor is the final stage of pregnancy during which the child is born. Contractions signal the onset of labor and once the contractions are approximately five minutes apart, the baby is usually ready to be birthed.Medicine Plus: Childbirth The length and pain associated with labor vary from woman to woman.
Signs of Labor
- Regular contractions that are increasingly closer together
- Abdominal cramps
- Lower back pain
- Discharge of (sometimes bloody) mucous
- The water breaksU.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Women's Health: Labor and Birth
Stages of Labor
- Early Labor: The cervix thins out and dilates in preparation for birth. This is usually the longest stage of labor.
- Childbirth: The woman helps by pushing while baby moves through the birth canal.
- Placental Delivery: It may take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes for the placenta to be expelled and the mother may continue to experience mild contractions.Mayo Clinic: Stages of Labor
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you are in labor, please contact your doctor.
Featured Video
Labor Forums and Blogs
Parents.com: New Moms Describe What Labor Is Really Like
Suite 101: Labor Blogs
Google Blog Search: Labor
NaturalChildbirth.org: Labor & Birth Forum
BellaOnline: How Long was Your Labor?
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