Childbirth duration and phases
Every birth has three stages that structure labor and the birth of the baby.
- This is it, your water has broken, and the contractions are becoming regular but still not very painful: labor has begun.
- You should know that labor will last an average of 12 hours, but that it can vary from 7 to 16 hours depending on the physical condition of the mother-to-be.
- It ends with an open cervix at 10 centimeters, announcing the second stage of labor with the pushing and the birth of the baby.
- This phase lasts 3 hours on average for a first pregnancy, and 30 minutes for mothers who have already given birth.
- The final phase, during which the placenta is expelled, occurs between 5 and 30 minutes after delivery.
- At each stage of the birth, if you are worried or have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your medical team, they will do everything they can to reassure you.