When contractions are consistently 10 minutes apart, it usually indicates the early phase of labor, often called the latent or early labor phase. This phase can last many hours, even up to 20 hours or more, especially for first-time mothers. Contractions in this phase are usually mild to moderate in intensity and gradually become closer together, stronger, and longer as labor progresses. Typically, labor is considered more active when contractions become about 5 minutes apart and last 30-70 seconds, signaling that birth may be closer, often within hours. At 10 minutes apart, it could still be several hours or more before birth, with a lot of variation depending on individual circumstances. Summary:
- Contractions 10 minutes apart usually mean early labor, not immediate birth.
- This phase can last several hours (up to 20 or more).
- As contractions get closer (to about 5 minutes apart), labor is progressing toward delivery.
- Birth usually occurs within hours after contractions are 5 minutes apart regularly.
So, contractions 10 minutes apart mean labor has started but the baby may still be hours away from birth, often significantly longer depending on progression stages.
