A successor may refer to: Someone who, or something which succeeds or comes after (see success and succession) Successor (horse), an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Successor was the working name for the class of British ballistic missile submarines, since renamed the Dreadnought-class.
How long it lasts: Early labor is unpredictable. For first-time moms, the average length of early labor is six to 12 hours. It's often much shorter for subsequent deliveries. What you can do: Until your contractions increase in frequency and intensity, it's up to you.
1 How long it lasts: 3 to 6 hours for a first-time mom; 1 to 3 hours for subsequent labors. 2  If you've taken Pitocin, a drug that induces contractions, this phase may go more quickly, but if you've had an epidural, things can slow down.