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- How long it lasts: Active labor often lasts 4 to 8 hours or more. On average, the cervix opens at approximately 1 cm an hour. But it may take longer for people who haven't had a baby before.
www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/stages-of-labor/art-20046545
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Dec 14, 2023 · But the second stage of labor, or the active phase of labor, from 6 cm to fully dilated, is usually quicker if you've given birth before: the average time first-time moms push is between 60 and 90 minutes with an epidural and between 40 to 45 minutes without an epidural.
- Amy Graff
BabyCenter's award-winning content is created by our...
- Amy Graff
- Overview
- 1. Water breaking
- 2. Losing your mucus plug
- 3. Weight loss
- 4. Extreme nesting
- 5. Low back pain
- 6. Real contractions
- 7. Cervical dilation
- 8. Loosening of joints
- The bottom line
There are several signs can indicate the start of labor, including many physical changes that occur as your body prepares for delivery.
Congratulations mama, you’re in the home stretch! If you’re like most pregnant people, at this point in time you’re probably feeling all the things: excitement, nerves, fatigue… and SO over being pregnant.
As the countdown to birth begins, some signs that labor is 24 to 48 hours away can include low back pain, weight loss, diarrhea — and of course, your water breaking.
But since labor differs for every woman, what you experience in the final hours of pregnancy might be different from what another pregnant person experiences.
One obvious sign indicating the start of labor is your water breaking, or more specifically, the rupture of your amniotic sac. This fluid-filled sac protects your baby as it grows and develops, but it will rupture in preparation for the delivery, either naturally or artificially by your doctor.
When your water breaks naturally, it’s likely due to your baby’s head putting increased pressure on the sac.
The mucus plug is a thick collection of mucus that seals the opening of the cervix. This stops bacteria from entering your uterus, but once labor nears, this plug loosens and drops out.
Some women drop a glob of mucus in the toilet after using the restroom, whereas others notice mucus on their underwear or while wiping after urinating.
The color of the mucus varies from clear to pink, and it can also contain traces of blood — but don’t be alarmed. This is completely normal and known as the “bloody show.”
Losing the mucus plug is your body‘s way of getting ready to deliver. It’s possible to lose the mucus plug weeks before going into labor, but it often happens days or hours before labor.
As an expecting mother, you might not expect any weight loss until after delivery. But it’s not uncommon to lose 1 to 3 pounds of weight 1 to 2 days before going into labor.
This isn’t fat loss, though. Instead it’s your body shedding excess water weight. It can happen due to less amniotic fluid toward the end of your pregnancy, and increased urination as your “baby drops” in preparation for labor.
The nesting instinct — which is an overwhelming desire to get the house ready for a baby — is common during the third trimester.
You might start cleaning, organizing, setting up the nursery, and making sure everything is just perfect. But about 24 to 48 hours before labor, your body might go into panic mode, in which case you have a sudden burst of energy and an increased drive to clean and organize.
Back pain is common during pregnancy due to joints and ligaments naturally loosening in preparation for labor. But while you should expect some aches during pregnancy, pre-labor back pain is different and more uncomfortable.
When labor is 24 to 48 hours away, pain might worsen in the lower back and radiate to your pelvis area. Changing position doesn’t provide relief, and unfortunately, the pain often remains until after delivery.
Braxton Hicks contractions, or false labor pains, can start weeks or months before actual labor. They occur as your uterine muscles prepare for delivery. But while these contractions are uncomfortable, they’re typically milder than actual labor contractions and only last a few seconds.
Real contractions, on the other hand, are stronger in intensity, more frequent, and can last longer than a minute. When contractions start to occur every 4 to 5 minutes, you can expect labor within 1 to 2 days.
Toward the end of your pregnancy you’ll have weekly checkups, where your doctor will check your cervix to see how far you’ve dilated.
Dilation refers to the cervix opening so that the baby can pass through the birth canal. Although the cervix needs to dilate at least 10 centimeters for a vaginal delivery, cervical dilation of at least 2 to 3 centimeters often indicates that labor is 24 to 48 hours away.
The end of a pregnancy signals your body to release more of the hormone relaxin, which loosens your joints and ligaments in preparation for delivery.
A few days before labor, you may notice looser, more relaxed joints in your pelvis and lower back. You might also experience an unexpected side effect of relaxin — diarrhea. This can happen as the muscles around your rectum relax.
The last month of pregnancy is a time of mixed emotions. It’s part excitement and part anticipation as you wait for your baby to make their appearance.
Labor is something you can’t predict. But if you pay attention to your body, it’ll provide clues that you’re one or two days away from your newest adventure.
- Valencia Higuera
How long does labor last? It’s hard to predict how long your labor and delivery will last, as there’s a wide range of "normal." ACOG says that labor typically lasts a total of around 12 to 18 hours for first births and around eight to 10 hours from start to finish for subsequent ones.
Jul 23, 2024 · How long it lasts: Active labor often lasts 4 to 8 hours or more. On average, the cervix opens at approximately 1 cm an hour. But it may take longer for people who haven't had a baby before. What you can do: Look to your labor partner and healthcare team for encouragement and support. Try breathing and relaxation techniques to ease pain.
- 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...
- It's time! You'll deliver your baby during the second stage of labor.How long it lasts: It can take from a few minutes up to a few hours or more to...
- 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. B...
How long does early labour last for first-time moms? If this is your first time giving birth, the average time for early labour could last anywhere from 6 to 12 hours, though it has lasted up to 20 hours or even a bit more for some.
Mar 17, 2016 · By the end of this stage, your contractions will be around 5 minutes apart and last for about a minute. Your cervix will be 4-6 centimeters dilated and you’ll be moving into active labor. Depending on how many children you’ve had, early labor can last anywhere from 6-12 hours.
Jul 21, 2023 · This stage can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. It is often longer for those giving birth for the first time.
