
Ask for pain medication or anesthesia if you want it. If you haven't headed to your labor and delivery facility yet, now's the time.ĭon't be surprised if your initial excitement wanes as labor progresses and your discomfort intensifies. You might feel your water break - if it hasn't already - and experience increasing pressure in your back. Your legs might cramp, and you might feel nauseated. Your contractions will become stronger, closer together and regular. Active laborĭuring active labor, your cervix will dilate from 6 centimeters (cm) to 10 cm. If your water breaks or you experience significant vaginal bleeding, call your health care provider right away. Your health care provider will instruct you on when to leave for the hospital or birthing center. If you're having an uncomplicated pregnancy, you may spend most of your early labor at home until your contractions start to increase in frequency and intensity.

Early laborĭuring early labor, your cervix dilates and effaces. It's actually divided into two phases - early labor and active labor.

The first stage is the longest of the three stages.
