Come the third trimester, you’ve got to begin preparing for pregnancy labor! You will be in the process of talking to your doc about pregnancy birth and options for pain relief during pregnancy delivery. Also you have the choice to decide where you want your pregnancy delivery to happen - hospital or birthing center? You’ve also got to be aware of the symptoms of pregnancy labor so you can call for help.

As you wait eagerly to finish the term of your pregnancy and look forward to holding your baby in your arms, you start planning and preparing. It’s quite natural to feel a little nervous if it’s your first baby when you imagine the process of pregnancy delivery. As the time for impending pregnancy labor draws near, you also tend to feel stressed out and tired. You are aware of your pregnancy due date and as the day approaches, you are eager to know when you can expect labor to begin and that magic moment of pregnancy birth. If it is your first baby, there’s likelihood that you may imagine yourself in labor when you are not. Find out about recognizing pregnancy labor symptoms here. Since labor can be quite unpredictable, you have to be prepared. Try and stay calm. Most hospitals pre register to save time while checking in for pregnancy delivery.

Pregnancy birth is an unforgettable moment and whether it is your first child or second, each experience is unique.

Four Stages of Pregnancy Labor

Pregnancy labor stages refer to the different stages that an expectant mothers experience during the period of pregnancy. Broadly we can classify these stages into four categories. As the period of pregnancy advances cervix and uterus go through several changes. These four stages are based on changes that take place during the process of childbirth.

First Stage Of Labor

First pregnancy labor stage starts when the pregnant women begins to experience early labor pain. When a woman gets into labor she must know the difference between false labor pain and natural labor pain in pregnancy. The amount of time for which this stage continues differs from person to person. A shorter duration is observed in the second, third and subsequent pregnancies.

Second Stage

The complete effacing of the cervix marks the beginning of second pregnancy labor stage. This stage continues till the birth of the child. First time would be moms might experience this stage for one to two hours while it keeps on getting shorter in second or third pregnancies.

Third And Fourth Stages

Then comes the third pregnancy labor stage. Childbirth is the indication that third stage has begun while delivery of placenta marks its end. This stage is much shorter as compared to the two previous stages. Normally it takes 5 to 15 minutes before the pregnant woman enters the fourth stage of pregnancy.

Internal Vaginal Examination

To get an idea of the condition you have to undergo an internal vaginal examination. For example, it measured the thinning of cervical effacement and dilation of cervix. You also get to know about the presentation and positioning with the help of this test.

Feet, head or buttock. Positions are of two types. When the baby is facing your back then it is called anterior position. Station is helpful in determining the distance of the presenting part, either positive or negative, from the mid point of the pelvis. Having knowledge of induced labor and self-induced labor besides the pregnancy labor stages is also very helpful.