Fully dilated how long

Many women experience contractions throughout a pregnancy. These are common, though they can be concerning if a person is pregnant for the first time. When contractions happen before labor, the medical community calls them Braxton-Hicks contractions. The key differences between Braxton-Hicks and labor contractions involve their duration, frequency, and associated pain.

If contractions seem to occur randomly and they are painless, they are likely Braxton-Hicks contractions. Contractions that occur close to a due date are usually more frequent, longer-lasting, and painful. The time between contractions is an important indication of labor. When contractions start to occur regularly and cause pain, let a healthcare provider know.

When pregnancy begins, a mucus plug seals the opening of the cervix. This plug will break apart and fall away as dilation progresses. When the plug falls away, it may look like discharge. The color can range from clear to pink, and the plug may be slightly bloody.

When labor is about to start, the membrane surrounding the baby can break and fall away. The water breaking is one of the most commonly recognized signs of labor. It can result in a sudden gush of liquid, or only a trickle. Some women may not notice because there is so little fluid. The medical community calls this lightening, and it can occur anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks before active labor begins.

Contact the doctor about any signs of labor, such as regular contractions, cramping, or the water breaking. Depending on the extent of dilation, the doctor may recommend resting in bed or avoiding strenuous activity. In a review , researchers studied the outcomes of 82 women admitted to the hospital for preterm labor. They found that 48 percent of the women who arrived with 0—2 cm of dilation delivered within the first 48 hours of admission.

For the women to qualify, they had to be between 24 and 34 weeks pregnant. Though the study was small, it suggests that dilating to 1 cm before the 37th week may be a risk factor for preterm labor.

Anyone experiencing signs of labor before the 37th week should speak to a healthcare provider as soon as possible. In most cases, having 1 cm of dilation for a few weeks before delivery will cause no complications. It does not necessarily mean that a woman will go into labor immediately or even the next day. Dilation is just one of many ways that the body prepares for labor.

It alone does not mean that labor is imminent. The second stage ends after the baby is delivered. It can last anywhere from minutes to hours. Women may deliver with only a few hard pushes, or push for an hour or more. Pushing occurs only with contractions, and the mother is encouraged to rest between them.

At this point, the ideal frequency of contractions will be about 2 to 3 minutes apart, lasting 60 to 90 seconds. In general, pushing takes longer for first-time pregnant people and for women who have had epidurals. How long a woman is allowed to push depends on:.

The mother should be encouraged to change positions, squat with support, and rest between contractions. Again, every woman and baby is different. The third stage of labor is perhaps the most forgotten phase. Once the baby is born, the placenta no longer has a function, so her body must expel it. The placenta is delivered the same way as the baby, through contractions. They may not feel as strong as the contractions that are needed to expel the baby.

The doctor directs the mother to push and the delivery of the placenta is typically over with one push. The third stage of labor can last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. Putting the baby on the breast for breastfeeding will hasten this process. Once the baby is born and the placenta has been delivered, the uterus contracts and the body recovers. This is often referred to as the fourth stage of labor. On average, it takes about 6 weeks for the uterus to return to its nonpregnant size and for the cervix to return to its prepregnancy state.

The latent phase of labor comes before the active labor stage. Your contractions will become stronger, closer together and regular. Your legs might cramp, and you might feel nauseated.

You might feel your water break — if it hasn't already — and experience increasing pressure in your back. If you haven't headed to your labor and delivery facility yet, now's the time.

Don't be surprised if your initial excitement wanes as labor progresses and the pain intensifies. Ask for pain medication or anesthesia if you want it. Your health care team will partner with you to make the best choice for you and your baby.

Remember, you're the only one who can judge your need for pain relief. How long it lasts: Active labor often lasts four to eight hours or more. On average, your cervix will dilate at approximately one centimeter per hour.

What you can do: Look to your labor coach and health care team for encouragement and support. Try breathing and relaxation techniques to combat your growing discomfort. Use what you learned in childbirth class or ask your health care team for suggestions. Unless you need to be in a specific position to allow for close monitoring of you and your baby, consider these ways to promote comfort during active labor:.

If you need to have a C-section, having food in your stomach can lead to complications. If your health care provider thinks you might need a C-section, he or she might recommend small amounts of clear liquids, such as water, ice chips, popsicles and juice, instead of a large, solid meal.

The last part of active labor — often referred to as transition — can be particularly intense and painful. Contractions will come close together and can last 60 to 90 seconds. You'll experience pressure in your lower back and rectum. Tell your health care provider if you feel the urge to push. If you want to push but you're not fully dilated, your health care provider might ask you to hold back. Pushing too soon could make you tired and cause your cervix to swell, which might delay delivery.

Pant or blow your way through the contractions. Transition usually lasts 15 to 60 minutes. How long it lasts: It can take from a few minutes up to a few hours or more to push your baby into the world.

It might take longer for first-time moms and women who've had an epidural. What you can do: Push! Your health care provider will ask you to bear down during each contraction or tell you when to push.

Or you might be asked to push when you feel the need. When you push, don't hold tension in your face. Bear down and concentrate on pushing where it counts. If possible, experiment with different positions until you find one that feels best. You can push while squatting, sitting, kneeling — even on your hands and knees.

At some point, you might be asked to push more gently — or not at all. Slowing down gives your vaginal tissues time to stretch rather than tear. To stay motivated, you might ask to feel the baby's head between your legs or see it in a mirror. After your baby's head is delivered, the rest of the baby's body will follow shortly.

His or her airway will be cleared if necessary. Your health care provider or labor coach will then cut the umbilical cord. After your baby is born, you'll likely feel a great sense of relief. You might hold the baby in your arms or on your abdomen. Cherish the moment. But a lot is still happening.

During the third stage of labor, you will deliver the placenta. How long it lasts: The placenta is typically delivered in five to 30 minutes, but the process can last as long as an hour. What you can do: Relax!