Hard labour

How long does this take?
Quite a long time – for Mrs Average, around 15 hours, plus or minus six hours. However, Mrs Average is the mean of 1000 women’s labours, and the range is enormous. At one end of the spectrum, some women can dilate in as little as four hours, and at the other end, it can take as long as 36 hours.

The first stage of labour can be subdivided into 2 stages:

1. Latency stage = 0-3cms

This is the bit of labour that’s variable – with ‘silent contractions’ (ones that you won’t notice) it can take anything up to a couple of days. For Mrs Average in labour with her first baby, it will take about 6-8 hours.

What you’re supposed to do – The contractions last around 40-60 seconds, with a gap in-between of between 5 and 20 minutes. You’re likely to be at home for much of this time. Most women feel restless during early contractions – this is the upright and mobile bit of labour, as you can move around between contractions and help the uterus to rotate the baby’s head. During the contractions, find a position that’s comfortable, and start practising your breathing and relaxation.

Pain – Usually manageable.

2. Active stage = 3-10cms.

Mrs Average on her first baby will dilate approximately 1cm an hour. Mrs Average on her second or third baby will dilate approximately 1 1/2cm an hour.

The contractions become much stronger, lasting around 60-90 seconds and coming approximately every 3-5 minutes. They really mean business and become pretty powerful. You’ll probably be in hospital.

Pain – Yes. The uterus has to contract very powerfully in order to dilate the tough cervix, but the pain feels as if something is going right, rather than something is going wrong. This may be the time when you ask for an epidural. Otherwise, continue with your breathing and relaxation during contractions, trying to conserve as much energy as possible.

2nd stage
What’s happening?
The contractions have pulled the cervix back to 10cms. The cervix is now continuous with the uterine wall, or the polo neck sweater is moving down to ear-level. The contractions no longer need to dilate the cervix but, instead, they push the baby down the birth canal; hopefully, with his chin tucked onto his chest so the narrowest part of the head is delivered first.