Tell Mommy: How Long Were You in Labor?

December 20, 2008

The time spent in labor is often looked at as a badge of honor, but no matter how long it took to bring her bundle of joy into the world, some mamas feel entitled to bragging rights. My girlfriend is nearing her due date and has been asking everyone she knows how long their laboring process was; she's gotten answers from 30 minutes to 48 hours. If you're expecting, you'll probably hope yours will be on the shorter side, but for those who have already delivered — how long was your labor?

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54 Comments

TMommy 3 years 18 weeks

I had 28.5 hours of labor. 16.5 hours of HARD labor. 3.5 hours of pushing. I was 7 cm when I got to the hospital at 11:00 pm (stayed home for as long as I could). Lots of throwing up during transition. I thought "wow,I'm close" but I was wrong. She didn't come for another 9.5 hours! Absolutely no pain medication taken. I did get a little pitocin in the last 45 minutes because my body was so tired the contractions started to lessen and get further apart. My mid-wife experience was great--exactly what I had wanted- but labor is TERRIBLE no matter how perfectly it goes. I will say that recovery was WAY easier then I expected but they say thats what happens when you don't have pain meds.I am now expecting again and am terrified.

TMommy 3 years 18 weeks

3 years 47 weeks

Woke up at 3:30am to pee, couldn't get back to sleep and realized I was having contractions at 4:30am. Went to the hospital at 8am, I was measured 5cm at 9am, started pushing at 1:30, and son was born at 3:40pm. Total: 12 hours. Active labor: 6 hours. Pushing: 2 more hours. I pushed for 2 hours because my son was born facing up. They're supposed to be facing mom's back. I also did it with no meds, despite back labor, unless you count the local anesthetic for my episiotomy. I used the hot tub instead! It was so relaxing! A large warm water bath is called the midwife's epidural because it's so effective for pain relief. I also had a doula.

MaggieLei 4 years 21 weeks

7.5 hours of back labor- 15 minutes of pushing. Bradley Birth

babyfashionista 4 years 21 weeks

My first was 6 hours, second was 5 hours and third was 10 hours with the first 5 being back labor.

cheersdarlin916 4 years 21 weeks

My first and only was 5 hours with only about 25 minutes of pushing and I ended up with a handsome 9lb 7.2oz baby boy.

bessa 4 years 21 weeks

4, yes FOUR, days, ending with a c-section. Mild labor for the first day (Sunday from 4 am until about 11 pm). Then serious labor for the last 3 days. Water broke at 4am on the 4th day and ended with a c-section at 8 pm. AND NO EPIDURAL. I wanted to go natural and do a vbac (my first was a c-section because they thought she was too big). It was like a marathon...and I never got to cross the finish line. My dr. says no more labor for me. :(

Mamita 4 years 21 weeks

First one was 12 hours of contractions and 90 mins of pushing, no epidural, lots of vomiting!!!Second was induced at 7am and started pushing at 7pm and he was born after 15 mins of pushing, no epidural, not as much vomiting as the first time.

Mamita 4 years 21 weeks

First one was 12 hours of contractions and 90 mins of pushing, no epidural, lots of vomiting!!! Second was induced at 7am and started pushing at 7pm and he was born after 15 mins of pushing, no epidural, not as much vomiting as the first time.

snowysakurasky 4 years 22 weeks

about 12 hours but for the first 4-6 my contractions weren't that painful. i was GOING to forgo the epidural but in the heat of things had to get it~!!~too painful otherwise

Kimpossible 4 years 22 weeks

My 1st and 4th I had completely natural - no epidural or anything. I had epidurals with my 2nd and 3rd though.

Mishell 4 years 22 weeks

45 hours before I finally had a c-section. My labor kept stopping so they would give me more drugs to start it again, then it would stop again. Turned out my baby's head was bigger than my pelvis. He never could have come out vaginally.

katedavis 4 years 22 weeks

I never bothered to calculate it- I was pretty loopy at the time b/c I was on codeine for days before (I had a horrible flu) and then had an epidural (the cervadil overstimulated me once it kicked in and I was having non-stop contractions). But I think I was only in labor for like 3 hours (once the cervadil kicked in) and then about a half hour of pushing (maybe?) and it all ended in a C-section because the cord was wrapped around my son's neck and he was in distress.

quivondra 4 years 22 weeks

oh, i had back labor with no epidural. i was vomiting.. that pain is for real.

quivondra 4 years 22 weeks

I was induced at 7:30pm. I went into active labor from the prostaglandins around 4am. water broke at 6:30am, she was out by 8;05am.Not bad for a first timer. My midwife thought I'd be in labor through the next evening.

quivondra 4 years 22 weeks

I was induced at 7:30pm. I went into active labor from the prostaglandins around 4am. water broke at 6:30am, she was out by 8;05am. Not bad for a first timer. My midwife thought I'd be in labor through the next evening.

KAEB06 4 years 22 weeks

17 hours with 2 1/2 of pushing. I'm hoping this next time around it won't be as long since I will labor a lot at home (where I will be much more comfortable...or as comfortable as you can get being in labor!)

tigerlily10 4 years 22 weeks

45 hours, start to finish...but what an awesome experience!

momma tikita 4 years 22 weeks

12 hours with my first only to have the doc come in and say "okay well your not opening up sooo we'll do a c-section" With the second one I went straight into the surgery room.

momma tikita 4 years 22 weeks

12 hours with my first only to have the doc come in and say "okay well your not opening up sooo we'll do a c-section"With the second one I went straight into the surgery room.

isa56 4 years 22 weeks

7 hrs 6 mins

isa56 4 years 22 weeks

7 hrs 6 mins

isa56 4 years 22 weeks

7 hrs 6 mins

MissSushi 4 years 22 weeks

I felt the same about the needle too. I didnt want ANYONE messing with my spine. But after 12 hours of agonizing back labor, I finally was like okay, bring on the epidural!

MissSushi 4 years 22 weeks

My mom had her hardest time with the second, too. She ended up being half turned a little and the cord was shorter then normal and wrapped around her neck 3 times to boot, lol. She wasnt breathing when she was finally born, but they revived her.

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