Congratulations! Your delivery is now close to reality, and the big day is around the corner. Over the coming weeks, there are two words that you'll be hearing frequently. They are "effacement", which describes the thinning of your cervix that happens before your baby is born, and "dilation" which is the gradual opening of the cervix so that your baby can get through. Both effacement and dilation are part of every woman's labor, although both can begin several weeks before you actually go into labor.

There are also other signs that let you know your labor is approaching. Some of these signs, like "lightening" may happen from 2 - 4 weeks before your labor actually starts, especially if this is your first baby. Lightening, which is also called engagement or dropping, is when your baby's head settles into your pelvic cavity. If this is not your first baby, then she may not "drop" until your labor actually begins.

Another sign that your labor is approaching is the loss of your mucous plug. This is like a "cork" of mucous that seals your uterus when you're pregnant. It can come out right before labor or up to a week or two in advance. It looks like a glob or long strings of mucous.

Don't be surprised if you have a touch of diarrhea just before your labor begins. This is nature's way of cleansing your system.

It's also not unusual to have a burst of energy, sometimes called the "nesting instinct", just before you go into labor. You may feel the need to clean your house and get things ready for your baby. Just remember, don't do any heavy work. You'll want to save your energy for labor.

Another sign that labor is close is something called "pink" or "bloody" show. You may have some discharge that is mucous tinted a pink color. This is caused by some of the capillaries near your cervix rupturing as it thins out and dilates.

Keep in mind that these signs don't necessarily mean your labor is going to start immediately, but they do mean that you're getting close. Not everyone experiences all of the signs, so don't worry if you only have a few.

Inside your uterus your baby is floating in a liquid called amniotic fluid. This fluid is inside of a sac that's made up of your amniotic membranes. When your amniotic membranes rupture, your "water breaks". You may feel a sudden gush of lots of fluid, or just a trickle of fluid down your legs.

When your water breaks, or you think it may have broken, call your provider or the labor and delivery unit at your hospital. The nurse will ask you questions about the color and smell of the fluid, and also about what you're feeling and when your baby is due.

Even if you're not sure that your water broke, but you think it might have, you should be prepared for a quick trip to the hospital to check things out. Although your water breaking is not considered an emergency, it’s best not to delay.

You may have learned about the three stages of labor in your childbirth classes, but here's a quick review.

Stage 1 includes Early Labor, Active Labor, and Transition. Stage 2 is the pushing stage and Stage 3 is afterbirth. Let’s start with the first phase of Stage 1, Early Labor. Early Labor can last for 6 to 8 hours, although with your first baby, it may last as long as 14 — 20 hours. Early Labor begins with cramps that gradually become stronger and more regular. Your cervix is thinning and dilating. Early Labor ends when your cervix is dilated to 3 or 4 centimeters. At this point you are in Active Labor, and should be at the hospital.

During the second phase of Stage 1, Active Labor, your contractions will be about 3-5 minutes apart and feel more intense. This stage usually lasts 3-6 hours for a first time mom. You may have some nausea and vomiting, along with pressure in your hips. At this point in your Active Labor, if you’re not already at the hospital, you will need to go there immediately. After you are dilated to about 7 centimeters, you’ll go into the next phase of Stage 1, which is Transition.

Transition, the third and final phase of Stage 1, is when your contractions are the strongest. You may have the most nausea and vomiting during this phase, but fortunately, this phase doesn't last as long as the others - from half an hour up to 2 hours for first babies. When your cervix is dilated to 10 centimeters, it's time to move into the second stage of labor, which is pushing.

Keep in mind that the length of time for each of the phases of labor varies a great deal from one woman to another.

The second stage of labor is the pushing stage. For a first-time mom, this will usually last one to three hours. If this is not your first baby, you may only have to push for 30 minutes to an hour. In fact, some moms push for less than 30 minutes! At this point, you are 100% effaced and you're dilated to 10 centimeters. Your contractions are strong, and coming every 2 to 5 minutes. At last it's time to push!

Though pushing your baby out is hard work, you may feel better in the second stage because now you can work with the contractions, instead of against them.

There are two basic pushing techniques, called valsalva pushing and self-directed pushing. Whatever way you push, trust your own instincts. Your body knows what to do, and will help you push more effectively.

The first step of your baby's journey probably took place before your labor even began. Engagement is when your baby's head settles into your pelvis or what we described earlier as "dropping" or "lightening".

The next step is called "descent", and it happens during the second stage of labor, while you're pushing. Your contractions have been pushing your baby's head downward. Her head may move a little to the left or right, and her chin up or down, as she shifts until her head is in the right position to continue her downward descent.

Once she's in the correct position, "flexion" begins. Your contractions and the bones of your pelvis put a small amount of pressure on your baby's head. This pressure pushes her chin into her chest. Her head gradually rotates toward your pelvic bone as her head descends deeper into your pelvis. This allows the back of your baby's head, the widest part, to pass through the widest part of your pelvis.

The next step in your baby's monumental journey is called "extension". As your contractions exert downward pressure and your pelvic muscles exert upward pressure, your baby's head changes position. Her head, which was curled forward against her chest, is now extended backward as if she’s trying to look up at the sky. At this point, your baby's head emerges from your body.

The next step, called "external rotation", is when your baby turns her head to line it up with her shoulders. This is when your baby's nose and mouth are suctioned and you may possibly hear that first cry.

The last amazing step in your delivery is called "expulsion". The pressures caused by your contractions rotate your baby's shoulder under your pubic bone and upward, resulting in the birth of your beautiful baby.

It’s time to focus on the end of Stage 2, or pushing. You will have begun pushing back when your cervix was dilated to 10 centimeters. With the help of your contractions, your baby has worked her way down your birth canal. You and your coach may both be feeling tired, but also very excited. This is a time when you need to listen to your body, continue to work with the rhythm of your contractions, and try to relax and enjoy the birth of your baby.

When your baby begins to emerge, you may feel a strong pressure and a burning or stinging sensation. This is caused by pressure from your baby's head, which blocks the nerve endings in your vaginal area. This causes a natural anesthesia to this area. Your labor team will coach you through this time. It's important that you don't push your baby's head out too quickly.

When your baby's head comes to a full "crown", your provider may suggest that you stop pushing. This is because your body already knows just what it’s supposed to do. Your uterine contractions will slowly glide your baby's head out for you.

Just before your baby is born, your provider may suggest that you have something called an episiotomy. After administering a local anesthetic, your provider makes an incision in your perineum, which is the area between your vagina and rectum. This makes room for your baby to emerge from your vagina, hopefully without tearing your skin.

When your baby's head emerges, any mucous will be suctioned from her mouth and nose so that she can take her first breath. If her umbilical cord is wrapped around her neck, which is fairly common, your provider will gently unwrap the cord and then deliver the baby's shoulders and body.

This is it. Your baby is born! Your provider will dry her off, stimulate her to cry, make sure that her umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and then place her in your waiting arms. Or, who knows, maybe Dad will get the first chance to hold her.

The third stage of delivery is sometimes called "afterbirth". After your baby is born, your placenta is no longer needed so it will begin to separate from your uterus. Usually within 30 minutes after delivery, your placenta is completely separated and your provider will remove it from your vagina. You may notice some mild contractions but they are much less intense than your labor contractions.

After the placenta is delivered, your provider will massage your uterus to make it contract, which helps to close the blood vessels where the placenta was attached, and to reduce your blood loss. Through your IV or by injection, you may be given a medicine called pitocin, or oxytocin, to help keep your uterus contracted to reduce blood loss. Your provider will check your placenta to make sure that it’s completely separated from your uterus. This is important because if any placenta remains in your uterus, it will cause further bleeding and possible infection.

The last part of your delivery is when your provider checks your cervix, vagina, and perineum. If you had an episiotomy or have torn during delivery, you'll receive stitches at this time. The nurse will then help clean you up and help you with breast-feeding or anything else that you need.