Coupled contractions refer to the occurrence of contractions back-to-back, where one contraction starts, peaks, and ends, only to immediately start again. This can be a sign of uterine dysfunction, as it may indicate prolonged first stage labor and a failure to progress during labor. Coupled contractions can be quite intense, and they may pose a challenge for laboring parents, who may feel confused or blindsided if this pattern is not anticipated and prepared for. While coupled contractions do carry a higher risk of cesarean delivery for failure to progress, research has shown a decreased incidence rate of cesarean births in labors with coupled contractions, although this may not be the case in all cases. It is important for laboring parents to work closely with their birth team to understand their unique situation and make informed decisions about their labor and delivery.
coupled contractions
