how far dilated are you when contractions start?
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The cervix must be 100 percent effaced and 10 centimeters dilated before a vaginal delivery. The first stage of labor and birth occurs when you begin to feel regular contractions, which cause the cervix to open (dilate) and soften, shorten and thin (effacement). This allows the baby to move into the birth canal.
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Stage 1: Early and Active Labor This stage is divided into 2 phases. In phase 1, called early labor or the latent phase, the cervix is dilated from 0 to 3 cm. You may have mild to moderate contractions every 5 to 20 minutes. You may be uncomfortable, with a backache, feeling of fullness, or menstrual-like pain.
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When the opening of the cervix starts to widen, this is called dilation, and it is one sign that labor is approaching. Dilation is typically measured in centimeters (cm). During active labor, the cervix fully dilates to 10 cm.
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When should you call the doctor if you think you're in labor? 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.
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Active labor will last about 3-5 hours. Your cervix will dilate from 4cm to 7cm. Contractions during this phase will last about 45-60 seconds with 3-5 minutes rest in between. Contractions will feel stronger and longer.
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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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Active Labor Phase – Continues from 3 cm. until the cervix is dilated to 7 cm. Transition Phase – Continues from 7 cm. until the cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm.
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The first stage is the longest part of labor and can last up to 20 hours. 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.
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Established labour is the period of time during which the cervix dilates from about four cm to 10cm (fully dilated) and you experience regular and painful contractions. You will notice that your contractions have a regular pattern and are closer together, becoming more intense and lasting longer.
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In general, though, once active labor begins, the average progress is about 1 centimeter dilation per hour for your first baby and 1 1/2 centimeters per hour for a second baby.
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First stage of labour Established labour is the period of time during which the cervix dilates from about four cm to 10cm (fully dilated) and you experience regular and painful contractions. You will notice that your contractions have a regular pattern and are closer together, becoming more intense and lasting longer.
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The time between dilating to 1 cm and giving birth varies from woman to woman. One woman may go from having a closed cervix to giving birth in a matter of hours, while another is 1–2 cm dilated for days or weeks. Some women do not experience any dilation until they go into active labor.
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Early Labor Phase –The time of the onset of labor until the cervix is dilated to 3 cm. Active Labor Phase – Continues from 3 cm. until the cervix is dilated to 7 cm.
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Some women may reach 100% effacement within a few hours. For others, cervical effacement may occur slowly over several weeks. The same applies to dilation. It is not uncommon for a woman to be 1–2 cm dilated a couple of weeks before going into labor.
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The Second Stage of Labor (Delivery) The second stage of labor begins when your cervix is fully dilated at 10 centimeters. This stage continues until your baby passes through the birth canal, vagina, and is born. This stage may last two hours or longer.
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A woman is considered to be in the active stage of labor once the cervix dilates to around 5 to 6 cm and contractions begin to get longer, stronger, and closer together. The active stage of labor is characterized more by the rate of regular cervical dilation per hour.
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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. Most pregnant women spend some time wondering when they will go into labor, especially as the due date draws near.