Understanding the stages of labor is a key part of your birth preparation.  A woman’s body is designed to labor in preparation for birth. The first stage of labor is the longest and includes three sub-phases within it: early labor, active labor, and transition.

The average time of uninterrupted, rhythmic contractions is approximately 15-17 hours but may vary greatly. Although there may be many bouts of pre-labor, real labor ends with the birth of a baby.