Final answer:
The desired contraction pattern during labor is characterized by regular, increasingly powerful, and frequent contractions that progress over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
During labor, the desired contraction pattern is characterized by regular, increasingly powerful and frequent contractions that progress over time. At the beginning of labor, contractions may occur every 3-30 minutes and last for 20-40 seconds. However, as labor progresses, contractions can occur as frequently as every 1.5-2 minutes and last for a full minute. These contractions are stimulated by the stretching of the cervix and the release of oxytocin.