The first stage of childbirth will begin when a woman's cervix starts to open. Often this is signalled by a ‘show' which is when the mucus plug that closes the cervix falls away in preparation for labour. This is normally pinkish in colour and has a jellylike texture. Sometimes this is followed by a breaking of the waters although this could have already happened.

During the first stage of childbirth the cervix will gently start to get wider and open out, usually to around 4 cm violated. During this stage a woman may experience slight cramping or even a dull backache.

Contractions will then start and it is important that these are time accurately. This is where a woman may start to feel slightly panicky as she starts to deal with the pain. Using relaxation techniques or painkilling drugs may help at this time. The contractions will become stronger and more regular until a woman reaches the transitional phase of her labour.

During the transitional phase a woman will start to the second stage of her labour. It is during this second stage that a woman will start to push her baby into the world. Here pain relief may be given to a woman to help her to cope with the intensity of the contractions.

As a woman starts to push the baby will move down the vaginal canal. Pushes need to be timed with contractions in order to get the maximum effect from each one. It can take many pushes before a baby's head starts to crown and some women require an episiotomy to avoid tearing their vagina. First-time moms may find that this stage can take an hour or more as their body has never given birth before. Women who have had more than one child may find this stage only takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Eventually the baby will be born and checked over by the medical team that are in the room. The baby will then be handed to mom who will have eagerly anticipated this moment. It is then time to start the third stage of labour.

During the third stage the placenta will start to come away from the wall of the uterus. Some women feel a strong urge to push their placenta out whereas others find it easier to have an injection to encourage the placenta to move. When the placenta had been delivered the midwife will check the placenta to make sure that it has all been delivered. The woman will then have her tummy checked over to make sure that she is contracting in order to stop the bleeding from the placenta.

These are the three stages of labour that all women have to go through and whilst they may be scary the end result is well worth it.

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