What You Need to Know about Active Labor

If you’ve been reading or taking classes on birth and labor, you might have heard that labor is divided into different stages. There’s a non-active, latent phase at the start of your labor and then there is an active phase as your labor progresses. Here’s what you should know about the latter.

What are the stages of labor?

Labor is divided into three main stages.

1. The first stage is from the start of labor until you’re fully dilated
2. The second stage begins from full cervical dilation to the delivery of the baby
3. The third stage begins with the delivery of the baby and ends with the delivery of the placenta.

The first stage is further divided into latent and active phases. The latent phase begins at the start of the labor and slowly progresses as your cervix dilates and thins. It is slow and long, and you might feel mild to moderate contractions every 5-25 mins lasting for 30-50 seconds. 

During this time you’ll be able to move around and you’ll be preparing to go into the birth center. After a while, the contractions will start to get stronger and less far apart, indicating the start of active labor.

When does active labor start?

Active labor starts at 6 cm cervical dilation. This is typically when we recommend our clients to come into the birth center. 

During active labor, your contractions occur every 2-3 minutes and last for up to a minute. These are moderate to strong in intensity and get progressively strong as your labor progresses. This helps your cervix to dilate the full 10cm so your baby can begin their descent. 

As long as you and the baby are safe and tolerating the labor process, you can labor as long as you want.

What should you do during active labor?

Active labor can be overwhelming as your contractions become more intense. During this time we recommend doing what you can to stay comfortable. You can move around and try different positions to help with the pain. Your partner and/or doula can help with breathing exercises and massages to cope with the pain.

Here’s how we can help you during active labor:

• We provide water to keep you hydrated
• We can help you switch positions to be more comfortable
• We can assist with comfort measures
• We provide support around the clock
   

Our main aim is to provide the best labor experience for all our clients. If you want to know more about our care, send us a message!