There's more to labor than contractions and breathing patterns. Labor is divided into three distinct stages, which include the dilation of the cervix, delivery of the baby and the delivery of the placenta or afterbirth.
The first stage of labor is often divided into latent labor, active labor and transition: the moment when the cervix is large enough for the baby's head to crown.
Some would argue that there is an additional stage of labor that comes before the physical contractions. Preparing for labor is an important part of being psychologically and emotionally prepared for labor: you are giving birth after all, and even the most experienced mothers have only done this a few times in their lives.
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