What is the duration of transition?

• A. Usually less than an hour
• B. Several hours
• C. More than a day
• D. About 6-8 hours

Answer: (A)

Transition is the final portion of the first stage of labor, when the cervix moves from about 7–8 cm to fully dilated at 10 cm and the baby descends further. This phase is marked by very frequent, strong contractions and intense pressure, which often makes it feel the most demanding part of labor. Despite how intense it feels, it is typically brief relative to the rest of labor. Most people experience transition in less than an hour, with variability up or down depending on the individual labor pattern. While some transitions can be shorter or longer, the common expectation taught in childbirth education is that this phase is relatively brief, making “usually less than an hour” the best descriptor.