1.  labour starts off in 3 stages. 1st stage which is a build up of contractions to enable the softening of the cervix. once at established labour (4cm) you will then very slowly or rapidly move in to the second stage.
2. 2nd stage, the second stage is where you push the baby out, from the first stage you will have gone from established labour (4cm)to a maximumof (10cm.)it is at 10cm where you will have little time to rest before you push with each contraction.
3. 3rd stage, the delivery of the placenta. this normally comes out quite quick after the babys born because the midwife will give you an injection in the side of your leg to speed up the process but if you have gone for  natural labour and do not want an injection, you could be pushing the placenta out for the best part of an hour with more contractions.

 sadly there are a lot of women out there with post natal depression, me being one that suffered alone silently. its very hard to distinguish as the mother does not normally look ill or unhappy, she puts on a front and acts normal. they dont want people to know like doctors, midwifes, health visitors, because it looks as though they cant cope and they fear the professionals will take the child/children away, wich is not the case. They just want to help and make sure you are enjoying your time being a mum. so if you think you are a little depressed please talk to some one. they are just there to help. they are there for you as well as your child/children.