Contraction
This usually has to do with the onset of labor. It is a muscular tightening of the uterus. Contractions are timed from beginning to end of hardening of the uterus (duration) and from beginning of one contraction until the beginning of the next (frequency). A third descriptor is intensity or how hard or painful the contraction.
Dr. Stephen Richards reviewed this
44 year experience in Obstetrics & Gynecology
How long it usually lasts:
Related questions
A 18-year old asked:
What are contractions?
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A 44-year old asked:
What do contractions feel like?
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A 29-year old female asked:
How contractions feels like at 36 week?
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A 19-year old female asked about a 19-year old female:
Can contractions start without a warning?
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A 40-year old asked:
Can mirina cause contraction-like feelings and pain?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: contraction?
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A 19-year old female asked:
Is it possible for real contractions to be days apart?
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A 49-year old asked:
What can I do to distract myself from contraction pain?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 29-year old asked:
Tell my partner what he can do for me during contraction?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 49-year old asked:
What is the safest oral drug to slow or stop contractions?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 42-year old asked:
Is it that helpful to have an accurate record of my contractions?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
What to do if there's constant contractions at thirty seven weeks?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 44-year old male asked:
Are prematureatrial contractions that happen 4or5 times a year dangerous?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 35-year old female asked:
Any natural ways to make contractions regular 6cm 60% effaced -2 already?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
Will the information still be useful if I often forget to log the kicks or contractions?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old female asked:
If am getting contractions 2-3mins apart should I go to L&D?? They are coming & going for an hr or 2.
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 20-year old female asked:
When timing contractions are they suppose to be like 5 minutes apart on the dot or like 5 then 8 then 6 then 5?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 55-year old female asked:
I have contraction like pains on lower right side Iof abdomenwhen sitting but usually niot when standing or lying down?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 20-year old female asked:
Do contractions start off irregular and then regulate them selfs i've been having them like every 8- 10 or 10-13 but more 10 minute intervals over all?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
What is causing hypotonic contractions?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 48-year old asked:
How to tell if I am having contractions?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
Terbutaline used to stopped contractions?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old asked:
Am I experiencing a contraction at 22 weeks?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
I feel no contractions when i orgasm! help!?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 21-year old female asked:
Why am i feeling mild contractions at 19 weeks?...
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 32-year old female asked:
What s a contraction like in last week of pragnancy?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old female asked:
I get contractions on the left side of my head. Why?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
I was wondering are contractions dangerous for the baby?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
Is the shortening of the muslce what a contraction means?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
Want this baby out. Painful contractions for 24 hours now.?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
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