The stages of labour and birth

Latent stage of labour The latent stage of labour is where your cervix starts to soften and open (dilate) so your baby can be born.You may begin to feel irregular contractions, but it can take many hours, or even days, before you're in established labour. It's usually the longest stage of labour.At this stage, your contractions may range from being slightly uncomfortable to more painful. There’s no set pattern to how many contractions you get or how long they last.During the latent stage, it's a good idea to have something to eat and drink because you'll need energy for when labour is established.If your labour starts at night, try to stay comfortable and relaxed. Sleep if you can.If your labour starts during the day, stay upright and gently active. This helps your baby move down into your pelvis and helps your cervix to dilate.Breathing exercises, massage and having a warm bath or shower may help ease pain during this early stage of labour.Established labour (1st stage of labour)Estab...