Mitcham Maternity
Stages of labour
First stage
Regular, usually painful, contractions cause the thinning and dilatation of the
cervix to 10 centimetres.
In the early stages you may experience
• vaginal discharge such as thick mucus
stained with blood, called a ‘show’
• ruptured membranes
(breaking of the waters)
• diarrhoea
• lower abdominal period-like pain that
might come 10 to 30 minutes apart
• dull backache
What you can do
• Have regular drinks, small meals
and snacks
• Call the Maternity Unit to talk
to the midwife
• A bath/shower can be helpful
• Go to the toilet regularly; every
two hours
• Try to rest if it’s during the night
• Stay at home for as long as you can
In the later stages you may experience
• More intense contractions, becoming
stronger and closer together; they may
be three to five minutes apart (this is
the time to come into hospital)
• Tiredness and restlessness
What you can do
• Concentrate on one contraction
at a time
• Rest between contractions
• Vary positions from sitting, standing
and walking
• If you are hot, a cold face washer on
the neck and face can be soothing
• Continue to drink plenty of fluids
and eat light snacks if you feel like it
• A bath/shower can be helpful