Active labor is the stage of childbirth characterized by regular contractions that cause significant changes in the cervix, indicating that the baby is on its way. During this phase, contractions become more intense and frequent, usually occurring every 3 to 5 minutes and lasting around 45 to 60 seconds. This crucial part of the birth process signifies that the body is making substantial progress toward delivering the baby, often accompanied by various physical and emotional experiences for the birthing person.