What Actually Happens in Labour? A Simple Guide to the Stages of Birth

One of the biggest gaps in birth education is that we're rarely taught what labour is actually doing.

We know contractions are coming. We know they're going to get stronger. And we know someone will eventually tell us it's time to go to hospital.

But very few of us are ever taught what's physically happening inside our bodies.

And when you don't understand what's happening, it's easy to feel frightened by it. Contractions are intense, and they feel pretty scary if you don't know what they are!

The good news is that your body is doing an extraordinary, coordinated job to help your baby be born.

Understanding that can make labour feel much less mysterious, and often, much less intimidating too.

Labour Doesn't have an On/Off Switch

Labour usually begins gradually.

You might notice irregular tightenings, backache, period-like cramps or simply a feeling that something is changing.

This early phase is often called latent labour.

It's your body preparing for active labour, and it can last several hours (or even a few days) for some women.

It doesn't mean you need to rush to hospital.

In fact, many women are more comfortable staying at home during this stage, where they can move around, eat, rest and relax in familiar surroundings.

What Is a Contraction?

Your uterus is a powerful muscular organ that tightens and relaxes during labour. These is what we call contractions.

Each contraction has a purpose.

Contractions work to:

• gradually open (dilate) your cervix

• build a strong powerful band of muscle at the top of the uterus ready to push baby out

• encourage your baby to move lower into your pelvis

• help your baby rotate into the best position for birth.

Thinking about contractions in this way can completely change how you experience them.

Instead of something happening to you, they're your body doing exactly what it needs to do.

That doesn't mean they won't feel intense.

But understanding their purpose often makes them feel more manageable.

The Active Stage of Labour

As labour progresses, contractions usually become:

• longer

• stronger

• closer together.

This is when your cervix continues opening until it's around 10 centimetres dilated.

During active labour, many women naturally become very focused.

You may feel quieter than usual.

You may want fewer distractions.

You might close your eyes, concentrate on your breathing or simply focus on getting through one contraction at a time.

Your Hormones Play a Huge Role

One of the most fascinating things about labour is that it's driven by hormones.

Oxytocin helps contractions become stronger and more effective.

Endorphins (your body's natural pain-relieving hormones) help you cope as labour progresses.

Adrenaline, however, is a little different.

If you feel frightened, unsafe or stressed, your body may produce more adrenaline, which restricts the flow of oxygenated blood to the uterus, making labour less efficient and more painful. 

That's why creating a calm environment, feeling supported and understanding what's happening can be so helpful during labour - giving your body what it needs. 

Then Comes the Pushing Stage

Once your cervix is fully open, your baby begins moving down through the birth canal, being pushed by the muscle that has build at the top of the uterus during the first stage of labour.

Many women describe feeling an overwhelming urge to bear down as their baby descends.

Your body often gives you incredibly strong signals about when to push.

Your midwife will guide you throughout this stage, but it's worth knowing that pushing doesn't always look like what we see in films.

It's a highly instinctive experience, and moving about while using upright positions will help guide your baby down with the help of gravity.

What Happens After Baby Is Born?

Birth isn't quite over once your baby arrives, as your body still needs to birth the placenta.

This is called the third stage of labour.

Your midwife will talk you through your options, including whether you choose to birth the placenta naturally or have an injection to help the placenta be born more quickly.

Throughout the birth of your placenta and afterwards, you'll be getting to know your newborn baby and enjoying precious skin-to-skin time with them.

Why Understanding Labour Matters

One of the biggest fears many pregnant women have is simply not knowing what's going to happen.

Understanding the stages of labour doesn't mean everything will go exactly as planned.

Birth is powerful and unpredictable. It's a wild, complex, instinctive experience, and plans sometimes change.

But knowledge helps replace uncertainty with confidence.

When you understand:

• what contractions are doing

• why labour changes over time

• what's happening inside your body

• and what's completely normal

it's much easier to approach birth feeling informed rather than overwhelmed.

That's Why We Teach the Science of Birth First

At Rise & Glow, the very first session of our hypnobirthing course focusses on the science of birth, helping expectant parents understand how labour actually works.

Once you understand what's happening inside your body, everything else starts to make much more sense.

Breathing techniques become more meaningful.

Relaxation has a purpose.

Birth partners understand how they can help.

And instead of feeling like birth is happening to you, you begin to understand how your body and your baby are working together.

Learn More With Rise & Glow

At Rise & Glow, we believe knowledge is one of the most powerful ways to build confidence before birth.

Our friendly hypnobirthing classes in Lewisham, Blackheath, Chislehurst, Sidcup, Bexley, Bexleyheath, Abbey Wood and Bluewater combine evidence-based birth education with practical tools to help you and your birth partner feel calm, informed and prepared.

Not quite ready to book?

Why not start with our free 10-minute Hypnobirthing Mini Masterclass?

It's a brilliant introduction to how birth works, what hypnobirthing really is, and how understanding labour can completely change the way you approach it.