📖 Definition
The phase of labor in which cervical dilation progresses from 6 cm to full dilation of 10 cm, with strong, regular contractions typically 3–5 minutes apart lasting 45–60 seconds. Active labor follows the latent (early) phase and is the most intense part of labor. The transition phase (8–10 cm) is the hardest. Active labor ends with full dilation and the beginning of the pushing stage.