how far apart are the contractions?
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You have strong and regular contractions. Contractions help push your baby out. When you're in true labor, your contractions last about 30 to 70 seconds and come about 5 to 10 minutes apart. They're so strong that you can't walk or talk during them. They get stronger and closer together over time.
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The first stage is the longest part of labor and can last up to 20 hours. It begins when your cervix starts to open (dilate) and ends when it is completely open (fully dilated) at 10 centimeters. When the cervix dilates from 0 to 3 or 4 centimeters, contractions get stronger as time progresses.
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Braxton Hicks contractions come and go irregularly, and usually last for about 30 seconds. While they can be uncomfortable, they usually aren't painful. Braxton Hicks contractions don't cause labour and aren't a sign that labour is beginning.
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The time between contractions includes the length or duration of the contraction and the minutes in between the contractions (called the interval). Mild contractions generally begin 15 to 20 minutes apart and last 60 to 90 seconds. The contractions become more regular until they are less than 5 minutes apart.
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Your cervix will efface and dilate to 4 cm. Contractions will last about 30-45 seconds, giving you 5-30 minutes of rest between contractions. Contractions are typically mild and somewhat irregular but become progressively stronger and more frequent.
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You have strong and regular contractions. When you're in true labor, your contractions last about 30 to 70 seconds and come about 5 to 10 minutes apart. They're so strong that you can't walk or talk during them. They get stronger and closer together over time.
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This part of labor (called the Latent Phase) is best experienced in the comfort of your home. When the cervix dilates from 4 to 8 centimeters (called the Active Phase), contractions get stronger and are about 3 minutes apart, lasting about 45 seconds.
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When should I go to the hospital or call my health care provider? Your contractions have been 5 minutes apart or less for at least 1 hour. If several contractions are so painful you cannot walk or talk during one. Your bag of waters breaks.
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If your contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting for 1 minute, for 1 hour or longer, it's time to head to the hospital. (Another way to remember a general rule: If they're getting “longer, stronger, closer together,” baby's on their way!)
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In the latent phase of labour, contractions may start and stop. This is normal. Contractions may continue for several hours but not become longer and stronger. They stay at about 30 – 40 seconds.
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Contractions may feel different from the first stage of labor -- they will slow to 2 to 5 minutes apart and last from about 60 to 90 seconds. You will feel a strong urge to push with your contractions.
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Active labor (the time you should come into the hospital) is usually characterized by strong contractions that last 45 to 60 seconds and occur three to four minutes apart.
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Early labor Your cervix starts out three to four centimeters long. When it is 50 percent effaced, it is about two centimeters long. When it is 100 percent effaced, it is "paper-thin." Effacement can happen over days before labor starts.
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Active labor: Contractions become increasingly more intense, frequent and longer, lasting around 40 to 60 seconds each. Transitional labor: Contractions suddenly pick up in intensity and frequency, with each lasting about 60 to 90 seconds and coming about two to three minutes apart.
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Here are some terms you can use to describe the pattern of your contractions: Regular contractions. Contractions are considered regular when the duration and frequency are stable over a period of time. An example is contractions lasting 60 seconds and coming five minutes apart for an hour.
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When the cervix dilates from 0 to 3 or 4 centimeters, contractions get stronger as time progresses. Mild contractions begin at 15 to 20 minutes apart and last 60 to 90 seconds. The contractions become more regular until they are less than 5 minutes apart.
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Contractions may feel different from the first stage of labor -- they will slow to 2 to 5 minutes apart and last from about 60 to 90 seconds. You will feel a strong urge to push with your contractions. Try to rest as much as possible between intervals of pushing, and only push when the health care provider tells you.