Labour - What is normal and how long does it last? PLUS. all your questions answered

Labour is the normal process that causes a baby to be born. There are regular, painful muscle contractions and dilation of the cervix. It usually happens sometime around the 40th week of pregnancy.

Who will help me deliver my baby?

There are many ways to have pain relief and your midwife can help you choose which is best for you. Most women are delivered by midwives, who also look after them during their pregnancy. They are the experts in normal, vaginal delivery. 

Who can be with me?

It is a good idea to have your partner, one trusted friend or member of your family with you during labour.

Where can I choose to give birth?

You can give birth in the hospital, a birthing centre or at home. Most women will find it reassuring to have their baby in a hospital. Having a baby can be a worrying time, particularly for first-time parents. In a hospital there are all the necessary people and equipment to deal with any problems quickly, if they arise.

Your local hospital is the obvious choice. You may feel that when the time comes you will want to be somewhere close to the hospital. If you have more than one maternity unit locally, you may want to visit them before you make a choice.

If you have already had a straightforward pregnancy, you may want to try a more homely environment. Most hospitals have a midwife-led unit. Midwives are experts in normal pregnancy. If they feel something is not going to plan they will ask a doctor to come and look. If the doctor agrees something needs more attention, they may move you into the hospital labour ward. Here, they have all the necessary equipment to monitor your baby and do whatever is needed.

Some women want to have a delivery at home. If they are assessed as being low risk for complications and live close to their local hospital, this may be possible. You can only have Entonox® (gas and air) and injections for pain relief at home. Epidurals are not possible. Your home will need to have a suitable room for you to deliver in, or you will need a large plastic sheet to protect your carpet/floor. Your midwife will transfer you to hospital if they are unhappy at any time; that is, they are concerned for you or your baby.

What is labour?

Labour is the normal process that causes a baby to be born. It is made up of regular, painful muscle contractions in the womb and gradual opening (dilation) of the neck of the womb (cervix).

The muscle contractions slowly push the baby down through the mother's hips (pelvis), through the neck of the womb and into the vagina.

When does labour start?

Labour usually takes place sometime around 40 completed weeks of pregnancy. Anytime between 38 weeks and 42 weeks is considered normal.

How do I know I'm in labour?

Contractions usually start the process. Although initially they may come at irregular intervals, they do become regular. At first they may be 10-15 minutes apart, but they will become closer and closer together. As they get closer together they may also become stronger, longer and more painful. The contractions cause your womb to feel hard.

What happens next?

Many women may have a 'show' before labour starts. This is a thick plug of mucus, often with a bit of fresh blood in it. It has come from the neck of the womb (cervix). It may happen sometime before labour starts but shows your body is getting ready to have the baby.

When will my waters break?

Some women may find their 'waters break' before contractions start. There is usually a gush of fluid that soaks your underwear, followed by a constant trickle. This means you will need to wear a pad. The fluid is amniotic fluid which was surrounding the baby. It provided a cushion for the baby and also helped keep your baby warm. Your baby could also practise swallowing, or passing urine through this fluid.

What happens next?

Once your waters have gone there is no protective layer between the baby and the outside world. Most women will go into labour within 48 hours of their waters breaking. If you do not, your hospital doctor will talk about starting your labour for you - inducing your labour. This is because the risk of infection for the baby increases after 48 hours. It is better for your baby to be out of your womb then. If you think you are in labour you should call your midwife for advice.

How long does labour last?

There are three stages of labour. The amount of time taken for each varies from woman to woman. It also tends to be longer for women in their first pregnancy than for those who have already given birth.

What is the first stage?

This is where the neck of the womb (cervix) softens up and gradually opens (dilates). The softening process may be quite slow and it may be several hours until you're in what midwives call 'established labour'. This is usually when the cervix is 4 cm dilated. If you go to hospital before labour is established, it may be better to go home than spend hours there unnecessarily. Try to keep moving about. A bath or shower can be relaxing.

Once labour is established your midwife will check your progress regularly. In a woman's first pregnancy established labour may last up to 16 hours. In women who have already had a baby this can take up to 12 hours. The first stage ends when the cervix is 10 cm (fully) dilated.

Most women are able to be up and about for most of this stage. You can drink and have small things to eat. As the contractions become more painful you can use relaxation and breathing techniques to cope. When this no longer helps you may need to think about pain relief.

The second stage

This begins when the cervix is fully dilated and ends with the birth of the baby. You will need to find a position that works for you. Women can lie, stand, kneel or squat to deliver their baby.

You will feel an urge to push down. Your midwife will talk you through how to do this most effectively. You can start to push when you feel you need to during contractions. Take a deep breath when the contractions start, and push down into your bottom. Take another breath when you need to. Try to give three good pushes before the contraction ends. After each contraction, rest and get your strength up for the next one.

This stage is hard work. You will need lots of support from your partner and your midwife. In this stage the baby's head moves down until it can be seen. When the head is about to be born (is crowning), the midwife will ask you to stop pushing. They will ask you to pant or puff a couple of quick short breaths, blowing out through your mouth. This is so that your baby's head can be born slowly and gently, giving the skin and muscles around your vagina time to stretch without tearing. The skin of the perineum usually stretches well, but it may tear. Sometimes, to avoid a tear or to speed up delivery, the midwife or doctor will inject local anaesthetic and make a cut. This is called an episiotomy. Afterwards, the cut or tear is stitched up again and heals.

Once your baby's head is delivered the hard work is over. With one more push, the body is born quite quickly and easily. You can have your baby lifted straight on to you before the cord is cut by your midwife (or birthing partner). Skin-to-skin contact is important and helps you and your baby to bond. Your baby may be born covered with a white, greasy substance known as vernix, which has acted as protection in the womb. Your baby is dried and wrapped, to stop them getting cold.

The third stage

This lasts from the birth of the baby, until the afterbirth (placenta) is delivered. The midwife will ask you whether you want an injection to help speed up this process. The injection is called Syntocinon® and it is given into your thigh. Syntocinon® makes the womb contract firmly and pushes the placenta out. This also helps prevent bleeding at this stage.

Allowing your baby to breast-feed at this stage also makes the womb contract and reduces the risk of bleeding.

What pain relief can I have in labour?

In the early stages of labour it can be very soothing to be immersed in water. Many delivery units have a pool. It may be available just for pain relief early in labour, or sometimes women may deliver in it. There is usually only one, so if it is already in use, you may not be able to have it. If you think you may want this, ask the midwife when you visit the unit.

Many women find a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit helpful before labour becomes established. TENS is thought to work by stimulating the body to produce more of its own natural painkillers, called endorphins. It also reduces the number of pain signals that are sent to the brain by the spinal cord.

Entonox® (gas and air) is always available for women in labour. It is a mix of oxygen and nitrous oxide. You breathe it in deeply during the contractions and breathe it out again. It makes you feel light-headed and will just provide enough pain relief to help you through the worst of the contraction.

Pethidine or diamorphine is given by injection and lasts for 2-4 hours. It is helpful in the earlier stages of labour and helps you relax. If given too close to the birth of the baby, it can affect the baby's breathing. If this happens, there is an antidote available to help.

An epidural is a type of local anaesthetic. It can last for the whole of labour, if topped up regularly. Most women have complete pain relief after one is in place. Some hospitals have a 'walking epidural' sevice but most women will not be able to walk when they have an epidural.

What if labour starts too soon?

Labour is said to be 'too soon' (premature) if it comes before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Most babies can breathe for themselves after 32 weeks of pregnancy. The main challenges for babies born between 32 and 38 weeks are keeping warm, feeding and not picking up an infection.

Before 32 weeks of pregnancy the baby's lungs may not yet be fully developed. They may need help with breathing and extra oxygen. You may have been given an injection of a steroid called dexamethasone. This helps their lungs to mature quickly. In addition, the premature baby will also have to feed, keep warm and ward off infection. Their gut is also not fully developed and they may need to be fed through their veins (blood vessels) instead of the normal route.

Babies are now surviving even when they are born extremely prematurely; that is, at 22-24 weeks of pregnancy. The heavier they are, when born, the better their chance of surviving. They still have very many challenges to face and it is common for many extremely premature babies to be left with some disability.

What if labour doesn't happen and I'm overdue?

Labour normally happens before the 42nd week of pregnancy. If your labour doesn't start, you will be examined to see how likely it is that labour will start soon. You will be offered induction of labour; that is, they will start your labour artificially. This is either done with prostaglandin (a hormone) gel that is placed into your vagina, or by breaking your waters and giving a medication into your vein.

The gel contains a hormone that makes the neck of the womb soften and start to open up (dilate). Your contractions will start and become stronger and stronger, as normal. The pessary is given in the hospital ward and you are taken to labour ward, when your labour has started.

What if I am still not fully dilated?

If your labour appears to put yours or your baby's health at risk, then, you may be induced. Your waters are usually broken on the labour ward. A midwife or doctor uses something that looks like a crochet hook to make a hole in the bag that holds the water. This does not hurt the baby, or you. Usually your contractions start after that, but if they don't a drip will be put in your arm. This allows a different hormone to be given, which will start your contractions. The midwife can control how much hormone you receive and therefore how strong your contractions are. The contractions will need to be strong and close together to deliver the baby.

How do you know your baby is OK during labour?

Your midwife will listen to your baby's heartbeat regularly, but not all the time. How fast, how regular and whether there is any slowing of the pulse, will tell the midwife a lot about how the baby is doing. They will normally use a small machine called a Sonicaid® to hear the heartbeat. This has a probe which is placed on your tummy, a bit like an ultrasound scan. You will be able to hear the heartbeat too. It sounds very fast, but it is normal for a baby's pulse to be 120-160 beats per minute; that is, twice as fast as an adult's.

How will I be monitored?

Some pregnant women will need their babies to be monitored constantly. A machine called a cardiotocogram (CTG) is used then. Two round, flat probes are attached to your tummy by belts. One measures if you're having a contraction and the other measures the baby's heartbeat. If your waters have broken and a better monitoring of the heartbeat is needed, the probe can be attached to the baby's head. This is called a fetal scalp electrode (FSE). It gives a better recording because it is directly attached to the baby and doesn't have to go through your tummy wall. The FSE is not thought to hurt the baby because it just clips on to the scalp.

What happens if labour is too long?

If your midwife and doctor become worried about your baby, they may take a sample of blood from the baby's scalp too. They can only do this if your baby is coming out head first, your waters have gone and your cervix is a little dilated. They can analyse this blood (only a few drops) to see if your baby is getting too tired. If this is the case and you are not fully dilated, they may advise you to have a caesarean section. If you are fully dilated it may be possible to have a ventouse or forceps delivery.

A ventouse delivery is where a suction cup is placed on the baby's head and used to gently pull the baby out, while you push. A forceps delivery involves metal instruments (a bit like salad spoons) being placed around the baby's head. They are used to gently pull, while you push too. Ventouse and forceps deliveries are sometimes called instrumental deliveries.

What should I do now?

If you think you are in labour, or just need some reassurance, you can phone your midwife. Their number is usually on the front of your notes. If their number is not there, you could phone the labour ward where you are due to deliver.

What you can do to relax?

 Most women in labour become anxious. You can walk around and have a relaxing bath or shower, if your contractions are still spaced well apart. The warm water is quite soothing.

Check your bag is packed. Many women forget things like sanitary towels. You will need them after your delivery, as it is usual to bleed for about two week afterwards. Don't forget some baby clothes. A front opening bra and shirt if you intend to breastfeed your baby and some make-up!

Photo: Dorset Birthing pool

Photo: Dorset Birthing pool centre

Photo: Royal College of midwives

Who will look after me in labour?

Most women are cared for by midwives. They are highly trained and expert in normal delivery. If they are worried by any aspect of your pregnancy or labour they will ask an obstetrician to see you. Obstetricians are doctors who specialise in pregnancy and childbirth. They perform procedures and deliveries when needed.

What else can I expect in hospital?

Labour wards will allow your partner and possibly one other person, to stay with you during labour. These people are important sources of support for you. They can talk to you, hold your hand and rub your back, if you want it. Your mid wife may also be there for the birth. You will be taken into a birthing room which has many medical equipment and you will be monitored on a machine.

What if labour doesn't go well?

'Not going well' means different things to different people. It could mean your labour is not progressing fast enough, your baby needs a little help to be born, you are tired etc. If this is your first pregnancy, try to stay relaxed, ask questions as you go along and have few fixed ideas about what you think will happen. During your pregnancy try to gather as much information as you can about what happens and what your options are.

What are my birth options?

You could have your baby the natural way, by caesarian section or have a water birth.

If you are advised to have a caesarean section, this will have been done as the safest option for you and your baby. Not having a normal vaginal delivery should not be seen as a failure. There are many factors that can prevent a normal delivery and you can do nothing to change most of them.

How would my baby be fed?

You will be encouraged to feed your baby as soon as possible after delivery. Your choice of feeding is best discussed well before labour. Friends, family and your midwife are all good sources of advice. You could breast feed or give your baby formula milk through a bottle.

Now that I have my baby what happens?

After delivery you will be taken back to the baby ward. You will be able to feed your baby, if you haven't already. One of the nursing staff will wash your baby. At some point a doctor who specialises in children may come and examine your baby. This is a top-to-toe examination designed to pick up anything that isn't quite right. If problems are found you will be asked to bring your baby back to a specialist clinic.

When can I go home?

 How long you stay in hospital will depend on what type of delivery you had and how well you are. If it is your first delivery you may need to stay a little longer, even if it was a normal vaginal delivery. Different labour wards have different policies about discharge.