 This fact sheet is available as a print friendly PDF in: English
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Advice for women in early labour
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Your doctor or midwife has examined you and decided that you are in the early stages of labour.
Sometimes this is called the latent phase of labour. Or you may have been told that your labour is not yet fully established.
Research tells us that the best place to spend this phase of labour is at home.
At home, you have the freedom of your own surroundings. You can eat, sleep and move around at your own pace. Listen to your body and do what you instinctively feel is right for you. Remember that your experience is uniquely yours.
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In the table below the stages of labour are explained with some helpful ideas on how to manage the different stages of your labour.
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When to return to hospital
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- If you have vaginal bleeding that is not mixed with mucous.
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 | - Vaginal bleeding with lots of mucous is called a ‘show’ and is a sign that labour is progressing normally. You can also get a ‘show’ if you have had a vaginal examination during your admission.
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- If the contractions are regular, last more than 30 seconds and are closer than 5 minutes apart.
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- If you are frightened or unsure about what is happening.
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- If you do not feel your baby moving.
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Remember, you can phone the hospital at any time if you have questions or concerns. It is not unusual for some women to have more than one admission before labour is fully established, especially if this is your first baby.
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Please phone Women’s Emergency Care on (03) 8345 3636 if you have any concerns or questions or if you wish to return to the hospital.
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Stages of labour
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| | | | 1st stage: early phase
(8-16hrs)
| Cervix 0-4cm dilated (open)
Contractions are 5-20 mins apart, lasting 20-40 seconds
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| Excited, apprehensive
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| - Mucous tinged with blood
- Backache
- Lower abdominal pain (like period pain)
- Sometimes diarrhoea
- Sometimes waters break
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| - Keep eating and drinking (small amounts often)
- Call the hospital
- Time your contractions (from start of one to start of the next)
- Move around, keep busy
- Rest if you need to
- Empty your bladder every two hours
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| 1st stage: active phase
(3-5hrs)
| Cervix 4-8cm dilated
Contractions are 3-7 mins apart, lasting 50-60 seconds
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| Becoming weary, restless
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| - Contractions, strong and regular
- Intense, lower abdominal pain
- Backache may continue
- Totally focused on labour
- Dependent on support people
- Blood tinged mucous
- Waters may break
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| - Use deep breathing
- Focus
- Take a hot shower or use hot packs
- Change positions
- Rest between contractions
- Sip fluids/suck sweets
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| 1st stage: transition
(1/2-2hrs)
| Cervix 8-10cm dilated
Contractions 2-3 mins apart, lasting 60-80 seconds
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| Tired, irrational
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| - Long, strong contractions
- May have double peaks
- May feel pressure in your bottom and urge to push
- Intense tiredness
- Maybe nausea and vomiting
- Shaky
- Feelings of panic
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| - Try a position change
- Massage your back and thighs
- Place a cool flannel on your face and neck
- Listen to people’s reassurance
- Believe in your body
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| 2nd stage: pushing
(1/2-2 hrs)
| Cervix fully dilated (10cm)
Contractions 2-5 mins apart, lasting 60-90 seconds
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| Working hard
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- Pain is less intense, more pressure
- Strong urge to push
- Stretching, burning as baby’s head moves down
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| - Push with contractions (use a mirror)
- Rest between contractions
- Cool flannel or spray to face and neck
- Listen to support people - you may need to pant through the strong urge to push to slow down the birth of the baby’s head.
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Disclaimer
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The Royal Women’s Hospital does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided in this fact sheet or incorporated into it by reference. We provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest Emergency Dept.
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Published July 2006. Updated September 2010
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