are contractions always the same time apart?
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Most people stay at home during this time. The second or active phase of the first stage of labour is when your cervix starts to open. At the same time your contractions usually become more regular, around three or four minutes apart and last up to a minute or so.
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These normal contractions (sometimes called Braxton-Hicks) are usually irregular and do not open the cervix. If these contractions become regular (i.e., every 10-12 minutes for at least one hour, they may be preterm labor contractions which can cause the cervix to open. During false labor, try to distract yourself.
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Contractions: Contractions are increasingly intense and last between 60 to 90 seconds, and they're 1 1/2 to 2 minutes apart. Other Signs: You may feel pelvic and rectal pressure, have hot flashes and/or chills, have cold feet, and feel nauseous or even vomit.
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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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If your amniotic membrane ruptures -- or your "water breaks" -- the contractions may get much stronger. When the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters (called the Transition Phase), contractions are 2 to 3 minutes apart and last about 1 minute.
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According to the "411 Rule" (commonly recommended by doulas and midwives), you should go to the hospital when your contractions are coming regularly 4 minutes apart, each one lasts at least 1 minute, and they have been following this pattern for at least 1 hour.
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How to know you're in early labor. You'll experience mild to moderate contractions that last 30 to 45 seconds, though they can be shorter, and might be regular or irregular. They may be spaced around 20 minutes apart and become progressively closer together, but not necessarily in a consistent pattern.
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As a general rule, you know you are ready to go to the hospital when your contractions are 4 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for at least 1 hour. Get personalized updates on your baby's development and expert tips just for you. Thanks for subscribing! Keep an eye on your inbox to see what your baby is up to this week.
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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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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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Signs: Contractions are increasingly intense and last between 60 to 90 seconds, and they're 1 1/2 to 2 minutes apart. You may feel pelvic and rectal pressure, have hot flashes and/or chills, have cold feet, and feel nauseous or even vomit.
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Braxton Hicks vs. Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular and infrequent. They usually last about 15 to 30 seconds (but sometimes as long as two minutes), and they should subside when you change positions. Real labor contractions are relatively regular and grow stronger, longer and closer together as you near labor.
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Braxton Hicks contractions are unpredictable. They may last less than 30 seconds or up to 2 minutes. True labor contractions last between 30 to less than 90 seconds and become longer over time.
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Early labor Uterine contractions: Are mild to moderate and last about 30 to 45 seconds. You can keep talking during these contractions. May be irregular, about 5 to 20 minutes apart, and may even stop for a while.
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False labor: contractions are often irregular and do not get closer together. True labor: contractions come at regular intervals and get closer together as time goes on.
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After about 30 weeks of pregnancy, many women notice occasional uterine contractions. Called Braxton Hicks contractions, they're normal and usually painless. They tend to occur when you're tired or are exerting yourself, and they usually stop when you rest.
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Labor is sometimes longer than usual with twins, but the actual delivery is not much longer. Twins are usually born only minutes apart.