Prelabour contractions or first stage labour

Early and active 1st stage contractions are usually defined as pains that come every 2, 3, 4 or 5 minutes (timed from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next contraction). They usually last more than 40 seconds and up to 70 seconds each time. Prelabour contractions are usually further apart, shorter in length (or very long eg. 2 minutes) and can often be erratic.

Premature labour

Premature labour occurs when you go into labour before the 37-week mark of your pregnancy. Find reassurance and be prepared for a premature labour and birth with an understanding of what to expect when you go through premature labour and give birth. Kidspot New Zealand

Labour First Stage

Labour occurs in three stages. Find how what happens during labour in the first stage including information about labour contractions. Find reassurance and be prepared for your labour and birth with an understanding of what to expect when you go through labour and give birth. Kidspot New Zealand

Labour terms

Understand your labour and birth better with our guide to labour terms including breech, cesarean, dilation and effacement. Find more on Kidspot New Zealand