Stages of labour

Latent phase,the cervical canal shortens (effaces) and dilates to 3cm. (It may last between 14hrs-20hrs)

Active phase, is where the cervix dilates from 3 cm to 10cm. It takes 1cm-1.2cm dilatation per hour.

The second stage 

Begins at full dilatation and ends with the delivery of the baby with average time of 3hrs in prime gravida and 2 hrs in multi parous.

The third stage

Begins with delivery of the baby and ends with delivery of the placenta and membranes. The length of this stage is usually within 10 minutes of birth, however, normal is considered to be up to 30 minutes.