Once you reach week 37 of your ... 20 to 30 seconds. As labor progresses, contractions happen more often – every three to five minutes – and last longer, about 40 to 70 seconds.

Contractions and dilation (opening) of the cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered preterm, or premature, labor. A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks after the first day of the last ...

Medically reviewed by Renita White, MDMany people try to induce labor at home with natural methods. There's little research ...