Chapter 53
Three Stages of Labour
First Stage (Long, Painful, Contraction Stage)
This is the longest stage of labour, and can last between six to eighteen hours. During this
time, the neck of the womb or cervix opens up to make space for the baby to pass through.
Initially, the cervix is like a firm muscular tube which is tightly closed. As labour continues, it
becomes soft and thin, and begins to open out. Each contraction during the first stage helps to
open up the cervix so that eventually, it becomes fully dilated and the baby can be born.
Therefore, each contraction brings you one step closer to the moment when at long last you will
be able to hold your baby in your arms.^1
Fig. 42: Stages of Labour