Now that you are 33 weeks pregnant, you are zooming through your pregnancy! Your baby will be here before you know it! Only a few more weeks to go! At the the end of your third trimester, you should read up about the labor and delivery process so that you can be prepared.

Labor occurs in three distinct stages and it may last up to 24 hours for your first baby, but it is usually shorter in future births. (Have you ever heard women say that delivering a baby is usually easier the first time around?)

The first stage of labor is actually the longest of the three. It can last up to 20 hours, and it starts when your cervix (or the opening of your uterus) starts to open, or dilate. As your cervix dilates, your labor contractions get stronger and stronger. When your cervix reaches 4 to 8 centimeters, this is called the “active phase” of labor. You may experience a backache or “bloody show” (vaginal bleeding) during this stage.

You should go to the hospital or birthing center during the active stage of labor.

The second stage of labor starts when your cervix is dilated at 10 centimeters. This stage continues until after your baby delivered, and it can last up to two hours (or even longer, sometimes). You may feel a strong urge to push during this stage, and you may also receive pain medication or episiotomies (if they are requested/needed).

You should push when your healthcare provider tells you to, or when you feel you need to push.

After your baby is born, you will enter the third stage of labor, which is the delivery of the placenta and afterbirth. This is the shortest stage and it typically lasts less than 20 minutes. You may feel contractions but they are not as painful. If you experienced any tears or had an episiotomy, it will get stitched up.

For more about the stages of labor, read 33 weeks pregnant - pregnancy week by week - at Women’s Healthcare Topics.