When you are in labor, your contractions will help to indicate how far along you are. Here is a guide to what number monitor indicates contractions:
-If you have a contraction every 5 minutes or less, this is considered early labor. This phase can last for several hours or even days before progressing to active labor.
-Once contractions start coming every 3 minutes or less, you are in active labor. This is when it is time to go to the hospital or birth center.
-The final stage of labor is when your contractions are coming one on top of the other with no break in between. You will likely need some help from pain medication during this time.