First Stage: Early Labour
Early labour begins when your contractions start coming at relatively regular intervals. These contractions resemble menstrual cramps, and will progressively become longer, stronger and closer together over time. Most likely, your contractions will be rather bearable during this stage - you'll probably still be able to continue with your usual routine around the house. You may also notice a pink-to-brownish colored mucous vaginal discharge: This is the expulsion of the mucous plug (which seals the cervix during pregnancy) and is a sign that labour is here. The uterine contractions will cause the cervix to efface (thin out) and dilate (open). When your cervix becomes 3 to 4 centimeters dilated, you progress to the next phase called active labour.First Stage: Active Labour
Active labour is the stage when things start to be more intense and uncomfortable. The contractions become longer and stronger and start coming more frequently. Your cervix begins to dilate faster. By this time, you will probably be having three to five contractions every ten minutes. Contractions at this stage feel like periodic cramping pain in the abdomen, groin and/or back that are coming in relatively regular intervals and do not subside with movement, and increase in intensity over time or with activity. Besides the pain of contractions, you may also experience a tired, achy feeling all over.First Stage: Transition
This transition phase is the perhaps most intense part of labor with very strong contractions coming about every 2.5 to 3 minutes and lasting around one minute. You may find yourself shivering, having the chills or feel nauseated. During this phase, your cervix dilates from 8 centimeters to a full 10 centimeters. This is usually the time when your baby descends into the birth canal and you might feel intense pressure on the bladder as well as on the rectum. The strong rectal pressure can resemble extreme diarrheal cramps (as if you have to move your bowels) and you may feel a strong urge to push.
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