Contractions in the transitional phase

Transitional contractions may present as:

	Being 1 to 3 minutes apart, and lasting for approximately 50-70 seconds.
	Being 'back to back' with little, or no, rest periods in between. These are known as 'double peak' contractions in that they build, peak, start to subside, but then build and peak again.
	Feeling like one, continuous contraction, with lower back, hip and anal pain, never completely subsiding between the contractions, as the baby moves further down the birth canal.
	Giving the woman an urge to push. This may be only at the peak of her stronger contractions on some occasions, or continuously there for each contraction. Sometimes it can be a premature urge to push, if the cervix is not fully open (or dilated). An early urge to push could mean the woman has a thick 'anterior lip', or some of her cervix left, (especially if the labour does not appear to be progressing). You can read more in anterior lip.
	Causing the woman to involuntarily catch her breath (at the peak of the contractions), due to the temporary urge to push. She may start to make different sounds, more grunts and straining sounds during the contractions. These are sounds that many women make when they start to move into the early phase of 2nd stage.

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