How long were you in labour?

KittyKate

I was in labour for 18 hours with my first (and only so far) baby, my now 7 month old daughter. No pain relief, my own choice, and I used the pool though had a regular 'in bed' birth. I was so relaxed I fell asleep six hours into labour and the heartbeat monitor revealed so did my daughter!

I gave birth on my due date and the hospital care was great, I was put in a private room after the birth and watched Eastenders whilst baby slept (I was too pumped full of adrenaline to sleep).

OH always jokes I'll never miss Eastenders

euronorris

I don't have my own experiences to give, but can share my SIL's (who gave birth in August this year). It was almost 48 hours for her, and completely exhausting. In the end they had to give her an episiotomy to help things along, but she has recovered well. A friend also gave birth a few weeks back and she was about 36 hours in all.

As for my sister. Well, I'll let you know if the little one ever decides to leave her womb. 9 days overdue, with a sweep performed yesterday, and still nothing. She also went for some long walks with my Mum yesterday too, but nada, nothing, not a thing. It must be so cosy in there! lol. Another sweep booked for tomorrow and if that doesn't work, then they will induce her next week, but not sure when that will be as it is dependant on space and beds. I'm flying out on the Thursday evening. At this rate, I'll be there for the birth!

StickyNikki

Went into labour right on due date. Total 12 hours but only 3 hours active labour.

Went to the loo at 4am and had a show, thought nothing of it so went back to bed. Got up at 7am with mild period like pains. Had a nice warm bath, rang my husband who was working away in London and told him I'd started but not to worry as first labours are known to be long. Thankfully he thought better and started the 4 hour drive home.

I was determined to be fully active whilst in labour and not be stuck on a bed ( seemed logical to let gravity help!!) so spent the morning walking round the house & bouncing on an excercise ball. My hubby got home at 12pm, 12.30 i decided I wanted to go to hsopital as contractions had started getting closer & more painful. I'd didnt have a birthing plan as such just didnt want to be stuck on a bed, was offered the birthing pool at 2pm. My DS was born at 4.06pm with no pain relief.

My only advise is don't fight the pain, keep relaxed. Not all labours are plain sailing so be prepared for any eventuality and dont get stressed when things dont run as planned. The end result is well worth any obsticle that comes along.

SingleSue

1st - 33.5 hours, induced, failed ventouse and then forceps delivery, 16 days post mature.
2nd - 25 hours, induced, ventouse, 14 days post mature.
3rd - 2hours 40 mins, induced, no intervention needed (although it was a trial of labour with theatre set up for a C section at the first sign of trouble due to 2nd son's delivery), supposedly 5 days post mature but on delivery, they realised the scan dates were wrong and he was actually at least 3 weeks premature.

The first two got stuck due to a malformed pelvis which meant that during delivery, only one side 'opened' up whilst the other stayed where it was plus the complications endometriosis had made to my muscles and lower regions.

Although the times for the first two deliveries sound awful, it is a different kind of pain...you know it will stop eventually and that it should have a positive outcome, so you deal with it a lot better than you think you would. Plus for the first delivery, I was so out of it for the later part, I didn't even notice the time!

anna-marie

thrifty-gal26 wrote: »

I am only worried to a normal level, not freaking out or anything

I know it will be hard but my view is that it's got to come out no matter what! I am over the moon about the baby and looking forward to when it gets here, pain or no pain!

The thing that has miffed me is that my partner presumes to know everything as he has a kid with his ex. So I just wanted to prove to him that he is wrong in saying that most womens labour only lasts a few hours and that, in fact, everyone is different and could be from 45mins to days.

But he would never take my word for it so I thought I would ask all you lovely ladies how long you were in labour for to make him shut his big cake hole

I completely agree that he should shut his big cake hole:rotfl:
It sounds like you already have a very sensible attitude to your labour. Of course no 2 experiences are ever the same. (I really hope hearing about my experiences won't distress you.....please don't let it....every case is unique)

No1 - premature birth of stillborn twins with epidural lasted about 6 hours.
No2 - induction at 38 weeks with walking epidural lasted 4 hours (healthy and happy!)
No3 - natural birth, no pain relief, 37 weeks, 2 hours (healthy and happy!)
No 4 - induction of stillborn baby 35 weeks, epidural, 2 hours
No 5 - emergency C-section after starting natural labour - 2 hours (healthy and happy!)

So many different factors can impact on the birth, the actual length of labour is not the most important one. The baby's size, gestation, how you cope with pain normally, the support you have and so on all bear a part. And I'd say the labour is the easiest part of having a baby - it's when you get the little tyke home that the pain sets in!!

My babies were all under 6lb which might have made the births quicker. There is no denying that birth can be physically very painful, and sometimes long, but the happy hormones that overwhelm your body when you hold your lovely baby make it all worth while.

Look after yourself and enjoy your pregnancy, you won't have time afterwards:rotfl:

x

busiscoming2

First labour 8 hours and four days early 6lb 8oz, natural delivery but did have Pethedine (didn't agree with me) and gas and air.

Second labour 8 hours, three days early 7lb , natural with gas and air.

Third labour 32 hours, on due date and 8lb (he got stuck halfway down) did have him naturally and pain relief was a TENS machine.

I don't know about your condition but every labour and delivery is unique. Good Luck

threemuttleys

8 hours, 30 mins.

Water birth, gas and air..Queen Greatest hits playing in the background! ;-)