Transitional labor is the most intense  phase of labor for most women. It is the stage between active labor when you are having contractions 3 to 5 minutes apart and actually having to push the baby. It is also the shortest stage of labor, lasting from about  30 minutes  to about 1.5 hours.

During transitional labor, the contractions are faster about 2 to 3 minutes apart and lasting about 60 to 90 seconds and are very strong in intensity. It may even happen that as one contraction starts to fade away , another comes on immediately.  During this period the pregnant mom may  experience the following symptoms :

• nausea
• vomiting
• burping
• increased bloody show
• hiccups
• hot/cold feeling
• fatigue
• sensitive to touch
• pressure in the perineum or rectum

Emotionally  mom may become restless, discouraged , irritable or confused. Transitional  labor is the time when pregnant women need most support. Partners  should be with the mom and give her  simple directions, remind her to change positions, keep her hydrated  with ice chips, assist with breathing patterns and offer her a cool washcloth.

You also have to remember that any questions you have for the mom should be between contractions and not during. It is important that the mom  does  not push until  the doctor or nurse checks to make sure she is fully dilated . If she pushed prematurely, her cervix may swell and tear.

Once the  health care provider gives  the okay,  the mom can begin the second stage of labor  which is pushing.

 
Content Sources