Transition
The most intense phase, 8 to 10 centimeters
labor
What Transition Feels Like
This is the shortest but most intense phase. Contractions come every 2-3 minutes and last 60-90 seconds with very little break. Your partner may shake, vomit, sweat heavily, say they cannot do this, or become irritable and say they want to go home. This is normal, it means the cervix is finishing dilation.