There are four stages of childbirth. In Germany, these phases may be named and measured differently than what you are familiar with: here, labour begins with the ‘opening phase’, followed by the ‘transition phase’, the ‘expulsion phase’ and the ‘postpartum phase’. Before the first contractions begin, the birth may already be announced by a slightly bloody discharge. Another sure sign that it's about to begin is the rupture of the membranes, otherwise known as your water breaking. During rupture of the membranes, the amniotic sac that surrounds your baby during pregnancy empties. Every birth is different. However, the sequence of birth stages is usually the same.