‘How long will my labour last?’ is something I’ve been asked so many times in my 10 years of teaching!
My answer is often along the lines of, ‘How long is a piece of string?’! There really are just so many variables that it is incredibly difficult to give an average time and there is no straight answer.
Even so, if you were to Google average lengths of labour, you’d probably find something along the lines of approximately 2 hours for the early stage of labour, 4 hours of active labour and 2 hours for the pushing stage. However, these numbers are based on many different peoples birth experience. Some people have long labours and some will have been very speedy births. There are so many factors at play that you really can’t apply averages.
What influences the length of labour?
The length of your labour can be affected and influenced by many factors, which include:
- if it is your first baby
- whether you are having one or more babies
- the position of the baby
- positions used during labour
- how calm and relaxed you feel and your mindset
- relaxation and comfort methods you use
- the frequency and strength of contractions
- where you choose to have your baby
- use of intervention
- induction of labour
- monitoring techniques
Although there are so many variables, what actually helps is to have a better understanding of the wider context and to understand what you can do help yourself if certain situations arise. What is your body telling you if your labour slows down? What can you and your birth partner do to help if your labour slows down.
As you can see from the list, there’s a huge number of things that can influence the length of labour. Join me for classes to learn more!
For more labour advice/tips visit: JustExhale or my Instagram: Pregnancy Yoga & Hypnobirthing (@sallyjustexhale) • Instagram photos and videos
