1. First stage is called effacement and dilation, it takes approximately 13 to 21 hours. This stage ends when the cervix reaches full effacing and a dilation of 10 centimeters, and we can dived it in several phases:
- Latent phase (8-12 hours) - Full effacement of the cervix and 3 centimeters' dilatation.
- Active phase (4-6 hours) - 3 to 7 centimeters dilation of the cervix.
- Transition phase (1-3 hours) - 7 to 10 centimeters dilation of the cervix.

2. Second stage is the pushing, and it may take 1 to 3 hours. It starts when the baby is pushed through the birth canal and ends with the baby's birth.

3. Third stage is birth of the placenta, it can take 5 to 20 minutes and in general isn't painful.

4. Fourth stage is the immediate postpartum, it takes about 2 hours, and is a stage when the mom is closely observed to see if her uterus is contracting, the bleeding is under control and she is getting attached to her baby. This is also a time for the mom to eat or drink, breastfeed her baby and above all, rest from the effort made in the last hours.