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#CONTRACTION TIMING ACTIVE LABOR HOW TO#
#CONTRACTION TIMING ACTIVE LABOR SERIES#

This phase can last from a few hours to a few days.

This is your body’s natural way of gearing up. Contractions in this phase are usually irregular-starting and stopping sometimes strong, sometimes mild.

At this point of childbirth, contractions may be noticeable as an achy sensation or as pressure in the lower abdomen or back.

The cervix begins to soften, thin and move forward, and it may begin to open.

Although every labor and childbirth is unique-yours will unfold in its own way-the process is remarkably constant. You will most likely move from one stage to another fairly seamlessly. Finally, there’s the third stage, when all of your hard work is done and your body begins to recover. The second stage covers transition, when your body shifts from dilating to pushing, and the movement of your baby through the birth canal and into the world. The first stage encompasses the very beginning of labor, when contractions begin, all the way through active labor, when your cervix is almost fully dilated. We’ve divided the process into stages to describe the typical changes that occur as labor progresses. It usually means that other work is being done, such as turning your baby to a different position, softening or thinning the cervix.Think of this as your “childbirth manual,” a step-by-step guide to prepare you for what lies ahead. This may mean that the contractions are not opening the cervix.

Contractions that are not getting longer, stronger and closer together. Over the course of labor, contractions get longer, stronger and closer together. Contractions that are lasting longer and getting closer together are considered to be progressing.

#CONTRACTION TIMING ACTIVE LABOR SERIES#

An example is a series of three contractions lasting between 30 and 45 seconds and coming 10, seven and then 15 minutes apart. Contractions are irregular when there isn't a stable pattern. An example is contractions lasting 60 seconds and coming five minutes apart for an hour. Contractions are considered regular when the duration and frequency are stable over a period of time. Here are some terms you can use to describe the pattern of your contractions: When you call your health care provider or hospital, you will need to give information about the duration and frequency of your contractions and about how long this has been the pattern. However, it is more important that you get the labor support you need than to have a complete labor log. Partners and labor companions usually are the ones who time the contractions and keep the log. Keeping a written labor log can help you see the pattern of your contractions. It can also help you decide when to go to the hospital. That can give you a better idea of how much time you have to rest between each contraction. You may also want to time contractions for a bit after there has been a change in how the contractions feel. You may want to start timing your contractions when you think labor has started to see if there is a pattern. It is not necessary to time your whole labor. It includes the contraction as well as the rest period until the next contraction begins. This time is usually measured in seconds.įrequency is timed from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. You will need to know how long your contractions last (duration) and how close together they are (frequency).ĭuration is timed from when you first feel a contraction until it is over. Timing your contractions will help you and your health care provider track what is happening.

#CONTRACTION TIMING ACTIVE LABOR HOW TO#

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