You’ll start to feel strong contractions. That’s when the muscles of your uterus tighten up to help push your baby out during birth.

Your health care provider may describe the progress of your labor in terms of your baby’s “position and station,” as well as by the effacement and dilation of your cervix.

This part of labor can last for many hours. If there are no medical problems, expect to spend this time at home. If there are health concerns, you may need to go to the hospital sooner.

During early labor, be sure to time the contractions. Keep the setting soothing.

You may be told to call your doctor when it becomes hard to walk or talk during contractions or if your amniotic sac breaks.

There are many ways to manage pain during labor. These include relaxation techniques, pain medications, and anesthesia. You may plan to use little or no medication, but you may change your mind as labor progresses.

Anesthetics may numb only one region of your body, or they may let you sleep during surgery. These medications are given by trained specialists. Whenever possible, regional anesthesia is used so you can be awake during your baby’s birth.

Labor induction is a way to help get your labor started. Even when labor is induced, it can still take you up to a few days to give birth.

If you control your blood sugar, you are more likely to have a normal birth. You and your baby will be monitored to make sure you're both doing well.

A large study has concluded that walking during the first stage of labor is neither harmful nor beneficial to the mother or baby.