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 ...

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.

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

The second step is to kickstart labor contractions. In order to soften ... "The data supports that between 39 weeks and 40 and a half weeks is the golden time to go into labor or be induced ...

Braxton Hicks contractions ... in when you notice signs of early labor, but this becomes especially important if you notice any of these signs at 37 weeks or earlier. This may mean you're going ...