how far are contractions when they first start?
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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. Mild contractions begin at 15 to 20 minutes apart and last 60 to 90 seconds.
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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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If you've experienced bloody show, you can usually expect to go into labor within the next day or two — unless you're a fast starter, in which case you could have your first contraction within the next several hours. (Nice and predictable, right?). So get ready, but don't head out the door just yet.
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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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For most women, labor begins sometime between week 37 and week 42 of pregnancy. Labor that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature, or preterm.
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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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Dilation may begin slowly, without apparent contractions, in the days or weeks before birth. Once active labor begins, the cervix dilates to 10 cm. You will not feel dilation, but your doctor will measure it. If the baby is preterm and smaller than a full-term baby, then delivery can occur prior to 10 cm dilation.
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You have strong and regular contractions. A contraction is when the muscles of your uterus tighten up like a fist and then relax. 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.
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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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In general, once the active stage of labor kicks in, it's a safe bet to expect a steady cervical dilation every hour. Many women don't start really dilating more regularly until closer to around 6 cm. The first stage of labor ends when a woman's cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm and fully effaced (thinned out).
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Active labor This is when you should head to the hospital. When you have contractions every 3 to 4 minutes and they each last about 60 seconds, it often means that your cervix is opening faster (about 1 centimeter per hour).
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Early labor will last approximately 8-12 hours. 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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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. Or, it can happen over hours as labor progresses. With a first labor, it can take quite a while for the cervix to completely efface.
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Early labour (1−3 cm dilated) During this phase of labour you will begin to feel uterine contractions, they may still be mild and infrequent. At this time, your cervix is focusing on softening and shortening and begins to open slightly.
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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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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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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.