Labor and delivery is the process through which a baby is born. It typically begins with contractions, which are the tightening and relaxing of the uterus. These contractions help to dilate the cervix, allowing the baby to move into the birth canal. Labor can be divided into three stages: early labor, active labor, and delivery. During delivery, the mother pushes to help the baby exit the womb. Once the baby is born, the healthcare team ensures that both the mother and baby are healthy. After delivery, the placenta, which nourished the baby during pregnancy, is also expelled from the uterus.