The 28 Stages of Labor According to GIFs

By Alessia Santoro

Published on 1/12/2017 at 6:16 AM

Being pregnant and actually going into labor are two very different things — once you go into labor, whatever hardships your pregnancy presented immediately feel insignificant because you realize it's inevitable now that you're going to birth a human being. Although you'll do your best to stay calm, try not to insult your partner, and be the perfect pregnant patient, chances are that the progression of labor will slowly take you down notch by notch.

Read through for the 28 emotional stages of labor that basically every pregnant woman goes through.

01

You spend the final days before your due date in a haze of nervousness and excitement. — NBC

You spend the final days before your due date in a haze of nervousness and excitement.

02

You react to every little kick or movement as the potential onset of your labor. — Fox

You react to every little kick or movement as the potential onset of your labor.

03

You finally enter the stages of early labor, experiencing mild contractions and possible water breakage. — Universal Studios

You finally enter the stages of early labor, experiencing mild contractions and possible water breakage.

04

You start panicking, gathering all of your things for the hospital. — NBC

You start panicking, gathering all of your things for the hospital.

05

You call your doctor sure it’s time to have the baby, but he tells you to stay home and relax until the contractions are closer. — NBC

You call your doctor sure it’s time to have the baby, but he tells you to stay home and relax until the contractions are closer.

06

You try to take his advice, but the thought of having to expel a human from your vagina in a few hours prevents calm feelings. — The Island Def Jam Music Group

You try to take his advice, but the thought of having to expel a human from your vagina in a few hours prevents calm feelings.

07

You begin to time your contractions, simultaneously hoping they’ll speed up and that they’ll cease altogether. — Fox

You begin to time your contractions, simultaneously hoping they’ll speed up and that they’ll cease altogether.

08

Your contractions start to feel like period cramps on steroids and you promise to never complain about a menstrual cramp again. — NBC

Your contractions start to feel like period cramps on steroids and you promise to never complain about a menstrual cramp again.

09

After several incessant calls to the doctor to find out if it’s time to go, you head to the hospital. — Fox

After several incessant calls to the doctor to find out if it’s time to go, you head to the hospital.

10

You’re shocked at the lack of urgency from every hospital staff member you encounter on your way in. — E!

You’re shocked at the lack of urgency from every hospital staff member you encounter on your way in.

11

You settle into your room and feel the contractions start to get stronger. — Universal Studios

You settle into your room and feel the contractions start to get stronger.

12

The nurse basically laughs at you when you ask if you can have an epidural yet. — The CW

The nurse basically laughs at you when you ask if you can have an epidural yet.

13

The contractions start to derail you, and you’re sure it’s time to push. — CBS

The contractions start to derail you, and you’re sure it’s time to push.

14

Your nurse tells you that you’re only five centimeters dilated, so no, it’s not time to push. — New Line Cinema

Your nurse tells you that you’re only five centimeters dilated, so no, it’s not time to push.

15

But it is time for an epidural, if you want one. — Universal Studios

But it is time for an epidural, if you want one.

16

Your partner, who is just trying to help in any way, begins to feel personally attacked. — Universal Studios

Your partner, who is just trying to help in any way, begins to feel personally attacked.

17

You're finally 10 centimeters dilated after what feels like days but suddenly don’t want to push. — Lionsgate

You're finally 10 centimeters dilated after what feels like days but suddenly don’t want to push.

18

You desperately ask if you can just keep the baby in there for a little longer because you're panicking. — NBC

You desperately ask if you can just keep the baby in there for a little longer because you're panicking.

19

You begin to push and pray that you don’t poop on the table. — Lionsgate

You begin to push and pray that you don’t poop on the table.

20

You poop on the table. — Relativity Media

You poop on the table.

21

Through sweat and tears you continue to push until you feel like you’re literally being ripped apart from the inside out. — Searchlight Pictures

Through sweat and tears you continue to push until you feel like you’re literally being ripped apart from the inside out.

22

The doctor says he sees the head and your partner either refuses to peek or looks like they’re about to faint at the sight. — Universal Studios

The doctor says he sees the head and your partner either refuses to peek or looks like they’re about to faint at the sight.

23

At this point your intermittent profanities are connecting into one long string. — Universal Studios

At this point your intermittent profanities are connecting into one long string.

24

You push with all you have and tune out every other thing in the room, including your partner. — NBC

You push with all you have and tune out every other thing in the room, including your partner.

25

Finally the baby makes their way completely out and you collapse in relief. — Universal Studios

Finally the baby makes their way completely out and you collapse in relief.

26

The baby is eventually handed to you and even though they’re covered in disgusting goop, they’re the most beautiful thing ever. — ABC

The baby is eventually handed to you and even though they’re covered in disgusting goop, they’re the most beautiful thing ever.

27

All is well, until you’re told it’s time to deliver your placenta. — NBC

All is well, until you’re told it’s time to deliver your placenta.

28

Completely exhausted and devoid of dignity you declare to yourself, “I will make it known to this kid what he put me through." — HBO

Completely exhausted and devoid of dignity you declare to yourself, “I will make it known to this kid what he put me through."

Just like every other mother before you.