What to Expect Before, During and After Labour
Quick answer
Labour usually begins with early signs such as regular contractions or your waters breaking, progresses through several stages until your baby is born, and ends with the delivery of the placenta before recovery begins. While every birth is different, understanding what typically happens before, during and after labour can help you feel more prepared and confident.
As my due date got closer, one of the biggest questions I kept asking was, "What actually happens during labour?" I'd heard so many different birth stories that it was difficult to know what was normal and what to expect.
Although every labour is unique, there is a general sequence that most births follow. Understanding the stages of labour and what happens afterwards can make the experience feel much less overwhelming.
This guide walks through the journey from the first signs of labour to the first few hours after your baby is born, so you know what usually happens and when to seek support from your maternity team.
Before labour
As your body prepares for birth, you may notice changes over several days or just a few hours beforehand. Some people experience many signs that labour is approaching, while others notice very few.
Common signs that labour may be starting include:
Regular contractions that gradually become stronger and closer together
Your waters breaking
A bloody show (a pink, brown or blood-tinged mucus plug)
Period-like cramps or lower backache
Feeling that your baby has dropped lower into your pelvis
Remember that early labour can sometimes last many hours, particularly with a first baby. Try to stay hydrated, eat light meals if you feel able to, and rest whenever possible.
When should you contact your maternity unit?
Contact your maternity team if:
Your contractions become regular and increasingly painful
Your waters break
You notice reduced baby movements
You have heavy bleeding
You are worried or feel something isn't right
Your midwives would always rather hear from you than have you sitting at home feeling unsure.
If you've already packed your hospital bag, this is a good time to make sure everything is ready before leaving for hospital. You may also find it helpful to read my Hospital Bag Checklist if you're still preparing.
During labour
Labour is usually divided into several stages. Knowing what happens during each one can help you feel more prepared.
Early labour
Your cervix begins to soften, thin and gradually open. Contractions may start off mild and irregular before becoming stronger and more frequent.
Active labour
As labour progresses, contractions become stronger and more regular while your cervix continues to dilate.
You'll be supported and monitored according to your individual needs, birth setting and circumstances. Your maternity team may check your baby's heartbeat, assess the progress of labour and discuss pain relief options with you.
The pushing stage
Once your cervix is fully dilated, your baby moves further down through the birth canal and the pushing stage begins.
You may feel a strong urge to push, although this can feel different if you've had an epidural. Your midwife will support you with positioning, breathing and pushing when needed.
Your baby is born
Once your baby's head and body are delivered, your baby will usually be dried and assessed before being placed skin-to-skin with you if you and your baby are well.
Not every labour results in a vaginal birth. Assisted birth or an unplanned Caesarean may sometimes be recommended if this is considered the safest option for you or your baby.
If you do have a Caesarean birth, my C-Section Recovery Essentials guide covers practical items and support that can make the first weeks of recovery more manageable.
Delivering the placenta
After your baby is born, the placenta still needs to be delivered. This is known as the third stage of labour.
You may choose or be advised to have an actively managed third stage, where medication helps your womb contract and the placenta is delivered more quickly, or a physiological third stage where the placenta is delivered without medication.
Your maternity team will discuss the available options with you.
Pain relief during labour
There are several ways to manage pain during labour, depending on where you give birth, your preferences and your individual circumstances.
Options may include:
Breathing and relaxation techniques
Movement and different labour positions
Water, such as using a birthing pool
Gas and air (Entonox)
Opioid pain relief
Epidural
You don't have to decide exactly what pain relief you'll use before labour begins. It's completely reasonable to change your mind depending on how labour progresses and how you're feeling.
What helps
Long phone charging cable — useful when hospital plug sockets aren't close to the bed..
Postpartum disposable underwear — practical for heavy post-birth bleeding and the first few days of recovery.
TENS machine — can be useful for managing discomfort during early labour at home, particularly back pain.
Portable handheld fan — useful if you feel hot during labour or on a warm maternity ward.
After labour
Once your baby has arrived, your maternity team will continue caring for both of you. The first few hours after birth can vary depending on how your labour and birth went, but there are several things you can usually expect.
Skin-to-skin contact
If you and your baby are well, you'll usually be encouraged to have skin-to-skin contact soon after birth.
Skin-to-skin can help regulate your baby's temperature, breathing and heart rate. It can also support bonding and early feeding.
If immediate skin-to-skin isn't possible because you or your baby needs medical care, you may be able to have it later when it is safe to do so.
Your baby's first feed
Your baby may show early feeding cues and want to feed during the first hours after birth.
Whether you're breastfeeding, formula feeding or combination feeding, you should be offered support with feeding and learning to recognise your baby's cues.
Those first few days of feeding can bring a lot of questions, so my Newborn Feeding Explained guide covers feeding frequency, amounts, hunger cues and what parents can generally expect during the newborn stage.
Checks for you and your baby
Your maternity team will continue monitoring both you and your baby after birth.
You may have your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and bleeding checked. If you've had a vaginal birth, your midwife will also assess whether you have any tears that need stitches.
Your baby will have routine observations and examinations according to your maternity unit's procedures and your baby's individual needs.
Pain relief and early recovery
It's normal to experience some discomfort after giving birth.
You may have vaginal soreness, stitches, afterpains as your womb contracts or discomfort from a Caesarean incision.
Your maternity team can provide appropriate pain relief and advice about moving around, eating, drinking and caring for yourself during the early recovery period.
Moving to the postnatal ward or going home
Depending on how you and your baby are doing, you may move to a postnatal ward, stay in a midwife-led unit for a while or go home after a period of observation.
The length of your stay will depend on your birth, your recovery, your baby's health and whether either of you needs additional support.
Before leaving maternity care, make sure you know who to contact if you become worried about yourself or your baby.
Final thought
Labour can feel unpredictable, but understanding what usually happens before, during and after birth can make the journey feel less daunting.
You don't need to memorise every stage or have a perfectly detailed birth plan. Knowing the basics, understanding when to ask for help and being prepared for plans to change can help you feel more confident going into birth.
This isn’t professional advice — just a simple breakdown of what I’ve found helpful.
Most of this is easier to understand visually.
I’ve put all my guides into one place so you can browse them properly.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of labour starting?
The first signs of labour can include regular contractions that become stronger and closer together, your waters breaking, a bloody show, lower backache and period-like cramps. Some people notice several signs before labour begins, while others have very few warning signs.
How do I know if I am in real labour or false labour?
Real labour contractions usually become longer, stronger and closer together as labour progresses and do not settle with rest or changing position. Braxton Hicks or false labour contractions tend to be irregular and may ease with rest, hydration or movement.
When should I go to hospital when I am in labour?
When to go to hospital in labour depends on your pregnancy, your symptoms and the advice of your maternity unit. Contact your maternity team if your contractions become regular and painful, your waters break, you have reduced baby movements, heavy bleeding, or you are worried about yourself or your baby.
What happens during the stages of labour?
During the first stage of labour, the cervix gradually opens as contractions become stronger. The second stage begins when the cervix is fully dilated and continues until your baby is born. The third stage of labour is the delivery of the placenta.
What happens immediately after giving birth?
Immediately after giving birth, your baby will usually be dried, assessed and offered skin-to-skin contact if you are both well. You'll deliver the placenta, be checked for bleeding or tears, receive pain relief if needed and be supported with your baby's first feed.
How long does labour usually last for a first-time mum?
Labour length varies considerably, but first labours are often longer than subsequent labours. Early labour can last many hours before established labour begins, and the length of the pushing stage also varies from person to person.
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