You’ve been waiting for this day for nine months, and suddenly, the moment has arrived: the first signs of your baby’s birth appear, and labor begins. To help you know what to expect on the big day—and to feel less anxious about this special moment—this article explains how a vaginal delivery unfolds and what happens during the different stages.

What are the signs of labor?

As the expected delivery date approaches, many women become particularly attentive to signs from their bodies that may indicate an imminent birth. There are several signs of labor you can watch for, for example: the release of the mucous plug from the cervix. The mucus plug seals the entrance to the uterus throughout your pregnancy and protects it from bacteria. It detaches gradually as your cervical collar opens. The appearance and consistency of the mucus plug can vary significantly. Expectant mothers usually notice an increase in discharge or thick, whitish, or pink mucus when it contains traces of blood. Some pregnant women, on the other hand, don’t even realize that their mucus plug has come away.

Other signs may indicate that labor is about to begin: back and leg pain, a very frequent urge to urinate, or the breaking of the amniotic sac. Also known as water loss , it indicates the beginning of labor in 90% of cases. Contrary to what is often seen in movies, the amniotic fluid does not gush from the uterus. It often leaks in small amounts continuously, or in drops if the amniotic sac is only partially ruptured. Sometimes, this occurs much later—or not at all—in which case the midwife may rupture the membranes. Generally, there is no need to rush to the maternity ward at the first signs, except in the following cases:

• your baby is presenting breech or in a transverse position,

• within the context of a twin or multiple pregnancy , especially before 37 weeks of pregnancy,

• the water bag has broken and the amniotic fluid is greenish in color.

1. First step: the work

About 80% of deliveries begin with the so-called latent phase, during which contractions are generally low in intensity and resemble cramps sometimes felt during menstruation. These contractions prepare your body for childbirth and allow the cervix to open up to three centimeters . A hot bath can help you tell the difference between true contractions and false labor: if the contractions ease as soon as you lie down in the warm water, labor has not yet started. You can continue to relax and regain strength.

However, if contractions persist and occur at regular intervals of 20 to 20 minutes , it likely means labor is starting and you are entering the longest phase: the active phase. When contractions occur every three to six minutes , it will be time to go to the maternity ward or call your midwife if you are giving birth at home.

Upon your arrival at the maternity ward—or during a home visit from your midwife—your labor progress will be checked. The midwife will observe the dilation of your cervix, the baby’s position, and the intensity of your contractions. As your cervix opens, the contractions will become stronger and longer. Toward the end, they will occur every two or three minutes and will last about one minute. Each contraction will help your baby descend, with their head pressing against the cervix and causing it to open more and more. If your amniotic sac is still intact, it will likely rupture during this phase; if not, the medical team will take care of it using a small instrument. From the moment it breaks, the pressure on the cervix will become more intense, which can lead to stronger contractions and speed up delivery. During this phase, your baby’s heart rate will be monitored regularly. The midwife will also check the opening of your cervix and may even feel, through your vagina, how your baby is progressing. If you wish, you can request an epidural to ease the pain. Did you know you can include this preference in your birth plan? We tell you more in our article: « Birth plan: our guide to writing it »

The transition phase is the final stage of labor before birth. It is usually short, but intense and more challenging. The cervix dilates and opens to its maximum, which is ten centimeters . You will notice that contractions are stronger, longer, and more irregular, and you may feel as if they are continuous. Physically, it is much more intense, to the point that you may feel nauseous or start trembling. For this reason, many women consider this phase to be the most exhausting. If you feel like you are at your wit’s end, remind yourself that each contraction brings you one step closer to meeting your baby. Your partner’s support can also be very helpful.

2. Second step: expulsion and birth

As soon as your cervix is fully dilated and your baby’s head enters your pelvis, you’re on the final stretch before the big meeting. During the pushing phase, you will feel intense contractions that gradually push your baby down the pelvic-genital canal. The pressure on the rectum will increase, naturally creating the urge to push. During this phase, your body releases more hormones that help reduce pain and can give you unimaginable strength. Many women compare this phase to a frantic race, during which they block out everything around them and focus solely on their bodily sensations. Because pushing is exhausting for both you and your baby, it’s important to follow the medical team’s instructions. They can tell you how your pushes affect your little one’s descent and will guide you on the best moments to push—and when to rest and regain strength.

If you participated in the prenatal preparation course , you have surely learned some breathing techniques for childbirth , and they will be very useful during the pushing stage. Your choice of position during childbirth can also affect your comfort. You may be seated, lying on your side, on all fours, or even squatting: instinctively, you will adopt the position that best suits your body.

After a few pushes, your baby’s head will appear first and will be visible to the midwife. She will probably support your perineum to slow your baby’s rapid progress. This helps reduce pressure on the perineum, which swells and stretches the skin, and can help prevent tearing. You may also feel a burning sensation. The medical team may also decide to perform an episiotomy; more information can be found in our article: « ». With the next contraction, your baby’s head will emerge, then the forehead, and finally the face. After a brief moment of respite, you will push to bring out the shoulders and then the body. Then comes the long-awaited moment: the meeting. The midwife will place your little one on your belly as soon as they take their first breath.

3. Third step: the delivery

Within 15 to 20 minutes after birth, you will feel your uterus contract again. These uterine contractions help the placenta detach from the uterine wall and be expelled. To support this process, a few pushes may be necessary, and your midwife will guide you. It may also help to put your little one to the breast, as breastfeeding releases a hormone called oxytocin that promotes expulsion.

The delivery is not painful because the placenta is much smaller than your baby, and it is also soft. Did you know? Approximately 300 ml of blood will be expelled from the uterus at the time of placenta delivery. The midwife will check that it has been completely expelled; if not, she will manually remove any remaining tissue. In the case of an episiotomy or a tear during birth, the medical staff will take care of everything, treating and suturing as needed. During this stage, your newborn will also be examined, measured, and weighed, allowing you to get to know each other in complete tranquility.

What happens after birth?

If you give birth at the maternity ward, you will probably spend a few hours in the delivery room with your baby and your partner or support person. From time to time, a midwife will come by to make sure everything is going well. If you wish to breastfeed, you can take part in the welcome feeding: your baby’s very first meal. A midwife can help you latch your baby onto your breast. If you want to discover the basic positions for breastfeeding your newborn, take a look at our article: « ». Then, if you feel comfortable, you will be transferred to your room, where you will stay for a few days.

For many expectant mothers, knowing what to expect before childbirth helps ease anxiety. Although each birth is different, we hope this article has answered some of your questions. If you still feel nervous about this stage, try to focus on the first moments with your newborn.