[header] How to recognize contractions [title] Notice if contractions are regular. [step] Real labor contractions will quickly develop a pattern of duration and frequency. While the length of time that you experience the contractions and the time between them will vary, the changes will be progressive and steady. <sep> (A) [substeps] You will be able to expect when the contractions will happen. There will not be gaps of time where the contractions stop, such as an hour long break. (B) [substeps] Many studies have demonstrated that contractions last for a longer period than they did in normal labor. This means that individual contractions take less time to develop. (C) [substeps] Contractions will last for at least 20-30 seconds, but they may feel like they are coming apart. After a few seconds the consistency of real contractions will worsen. (D) Contracting contractions may only last for a few hours, but they should begin to become more frequent as they grow. [substeps] After the contractions occur, you should be able to hear a little rattle when the contraction ends and it will likely sound less like a snap.
A