--- title: "The Four Stages of Labor at Sutter Health" description: "Learn about the four stages of labor during childbirth and what to expect during each one." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/labor-stages" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Health and wellness](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health) / 3. Labor Stages # The Four Stages of Labor Learn what happens during each stage. * * * September 22, 2025Medically reviewed by [Carrie C. Yiakis, M.D.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-carrie-c-yiakis-1046233432) [Childbirth](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/pregnancy-and-childbirth) is a journey your body takes in stages, guided by changes in your uterus and cervix as [labor](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/labor-and-delivery) progresses. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared and confident. ## First Stage of Labor This stage begins when labor starts and ends once your cervix is fully effaced (thinned) and dilated to 10 centimeters. - For first-time moms, this stage usually lasts 10–14 hours - For women who have given birth before, it’s often shorter ## Second Stage of Labor The second stage begins once your cervix is fully open and ends with the birth of your baby. - For first-time moms, this stage often takes 1–2 hours but can take longer - For subsequent births, it’s usually quicker ## Third Stage of Labor This stage begins with your baby’s arrival and ends with the delivery of the placenta. - For most vaginal births, this takes about 5–15 minutes ## Fourth Stage of Labor The fourth stage starts right after the placenta is delivered and lasts for the next 1–2 hours. - During this time, your care team monitors your recovery closely, making sure you and your baby are stable, safe and comfortable. ## How Progress Is Checked Your care team will occasionally do a vaginal exam to check how labor is progressing. These exams aren’t done too often, but sometimes may be done during a contraction. They look for: - **Cervical effacement:** How thin the cervix has become (0–100%) - **Cervical dilation:** How open the cervix is (0–10 cm) - **Baby’s presentation:** Which part of your baby is entering the pelvis first (usually the head) - **Baby’s position:** Whether your baby is facing your back (anterior) or front (posterior) - **Station:** How far down your baby has moved into the pelvis, measured in “minus” and “plus” numbers Every labor is unique, and these timeframes are only averages. [Your care team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online) will guide you through each stage, support your comfort and monitor your baby’s progress. Trust that your body knows what to do — and remember, you’re never going through this alone. ## Explore related topics [Labor and delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Labor+and+delivery%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness) ## Support at Every Step From conception to delivery and after, our [pregnancy and childbirth](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/pregnancy-and-childbirth) providers put you first. [Book an Appointment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_providerSpecialties.specialty.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Infertility%22%2C%22Nurse+Midwife%22%2C%22Obstetrics+and+Gynecology%22%2C%22Reproductive+Endocrinology%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals) ## Meet our care team ![Carrie C. Yiakis, M.D.](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/GYp7jSrCOf82lVHju3PkcCDSIlQibu4M32TkVOMEN1M/480x480.jpg) [Carrie C. Yiakis, M.D.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-carrie-c-yiakis-1046233432) Obstetrics and Gynecology ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","name":"The Four Stages of Labor at Sutter Health","description":"Learn about the four stages of labor during childbirth and what to expect during each one.","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/labor-stages","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/labor-stages#breadcrumblist"}} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","headline":"The Four Stages of Labor","alternativeHeadline":"The Four Stages of Labor at Sutter Health","description":"Learn about the four stages of labor during childbirth and what to expect during each one.","datePublished":"2025-09-22T00:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-23T16:02:48Z","publisher":{"@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/health-topics/pregnancy/mother-kissing-newborn-600x300.jpg?h=300&iar=0&w=600","width":"600","height":"300","caption":"mother kissing newborn"},"@type":"MedicalWebPage","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/labor-stages#breadcrumblist"},"reviewedBy":[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Person","name":"Carrie C. 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