Active labor and VBAC

Women who plan a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) are instructed to go to the hospital early in active labor.

Active labor can last 2 to 3 hours (or much longer), during which time your cervix dilates from 3 cm (1.2 in.) to 10 cm (3.9 in.). Further thinning (effacing) of the cervix occurs during this phase. Contractions are more frequent and stronger and cause increasing discomfort.

Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: April 20, 2007
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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