Intensity refers to which aspect of a uterine contraction?

Intensity pertains specifically to the strength of a uterine contraction at its peak. This aspect is critical in assessing how effectively the uterus is contracting during labor. High-intensity contractions can indicate strong uterine activity, which is necessary for facilitating cervical dilation and the descent of the fetus. Intensely strong contractions can be described as feeling firm and can be measured through palpation or electronic monitoring.

In contrast, duration refers to how long the contraction lasts, while interval denotes the time between the end of one contraction and the beginning of the next. Frequency indicates how often the contractions occur over a specific period. Understanding these different aspects is essential for accurate fetal heart monitoring and labor assessment, but intensity is uniquely focused on the strength of the contractions themselves at their peak.