how far apart should contractions be when they start?
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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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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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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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Preterm labor is diagnosed in a woman who is 20 to 37 weeks pregnant and has regular uterine contractions. This means about 6 or more contractions in 1 hour. Call your doctor if you have had regular contractions for an hour, even after you have had a glass of water and are resting.
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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.
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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.
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Once contractions are less than 5 minutes apart consistently for one hour, that's when it's time to go to the hospital. If you're not sure about the timing of your contractions another sign it's time to go to the hospital are you have difficulty speaking during contractions.
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If your contractions are mild to moderate and coming more than five minutes apart (and up to 20 minutes apart), you're likely in early labor. Contractions in this stage of labor can be regular or irregular and last 30 to 45 seconds each. Early labor can last several hours or even several days.
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Dilating to 1 centimeter does not necessarily mean that labor is only hours or days away. The cervix can be dilated to 1 centimeter for weeks before the beginning of labor. This extent of dilation only signals that the cervix is starting to prepare for labor.
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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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If you touch your abdomen, it feels hard during a contraction. You can tell that you're in true labor when the contractions are evenly spaced (for example, five minutes apart), and the time between them gets shorter and shorter (three minutes apart, then two minutes, then one).
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One centimeter is a little less than half an inch. During this stage, your cervix will widen to about 10 centimeters. This first stage of labor usually lasts about 12 to 13 hours for a first baby, and 7 to 8 hours for a second child.
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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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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 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. You feel pain in your belly and lower back.
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Early labor These contractions are organized, coming at regular intervals of time. They may start out spaced far apart, but by the time you're nearing the end of early labor, they should be close to just five minutes apart. During early labor, you may also notice other signs that help you realize it's the real deal.
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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.