For anyone who has experienced a natural labor::

sunnidazze12 · February 2014

I've been having contractions the last 4 hours. The first hour they were between 10-13 min apart. Second hour they were 10-12 min apart. Third hour they were 9-10 min apart. Fourth hour they were 6-8 min apart.

Did it take you longer/shorter for you to progress?

This is my first natural labor. My last one was an induction so I don't have anything to compare.

Thanks!

Rrrrrachel · February 2014

You can't really compare yourself to other women, either. I had weak far apart contractions for over a day before I really got into active labor. Probably soon now things will pick up, try to rest in the mean time!

ncbelle · February 2014

It's very common to have hours of early labor - which is what it sounds like you are experiencing - just try to rest and relax. Induced labor goes from zero to WHAM very quickly whereas going into labor naturally is often a very gradual process.

sunnidazze12 · February 2014

Yes I had contractions from 11pm-7am getting closer & closer to 6-8 min apart and now they completely stopped. Ugh.

Rrrrrachel · February 2014

Every contraction counts! Even if they stop, your body is warming up and getting baby into position and it's one less contraction you'll have to have later.

WashingtonQueen · February 2014

My first labor was 46 hours long.
If the contractions stopped I would guess you are having BH. That happened to me a lot last time.

food_chick · February 2014

I was also basically induced with my first (water broke early so they stopped my labor, transferred me hospitals and a few days later started pitocin). With my second I started having a bloody show overnight/early morning. Contractions were totally random all morning (probably anywhere from 5-15 minutes apart) so I took a nap when my son did, and after we went outside and started walking. They instantly went to every 5 minutes so after a bit of that I called DH home from work and my mom to come get my oldest. Got to the hospital at 6pm and was 6cm, he was born at 9pm. But like others said, everyone is different. I knew it was time to go in when I started struggling to breathe through the contractions.

sunnidazze12 · February 2014

Oh ladies, this hurts like hell! These contractions are sporadic but painful! I thought once you had pain like this, u went to hospital got an epidural and had a baby. God was I wrong. They won't see me until these are 5 min apart?!? Omg.

iris427 · February 2014

I'm not sure what you mean by natural labor--do you mean one that is not induced, or one without an epidural? Anyway, my first was induced and I got an epidural. My second was a spontaneous labor with no pain meds. my second was WAY faster, but I think that is mostly just because it was my second labor, and those tend to go faster. If you feel like you should be at the hospital, just go. Listen to your gut. I thought the rule was to go in sooner for second time moms anyway.

sunnidazze12 · February 2014

Both - not induced, no epidural.

I was in hospital for illness a few days ago. Illness cleared up, but they kept me extra day. Last night my contractions started & I thought for certain I was in labor- painful, 10-15 min apart then eventually got to 6-8 min apart, then completely stopped after 8 hours of this pain. At that time they monitored the baby in which they came back at 10 min apart & I received a check. To my dismay- no progression. Still dialated to a 1 which is the same as last week. They discharged me & ive Been having sporadic contractions all day long. Ugh.

sunnidazze12 · February 2014

Holy crap. I can't believe how long this takes.

momof2buggs · February 2014

My first two labors were 12 hour inductions with pitocin and epidurals. My last 2 were completely natural. I didn't allow them to intervene at all and as a result, my body did an amazing job, and my labors were 2 hours and 4 hours. I don't recall specifics like how far apart my contractions were or anything like that, but overall my body was very efficient. Pushing time was also reduced, but I think that was due to me waiting until I felt the urge to push, which sometimes doesn't happen as soon as you're completely dilated. With my last baby, I was dilated to 10 for an hour before I started feeling my son move down. It was miserable, I won't lie. The pain is much worse, but it was so worth it. If I ever had another child, I will do a homebirth.

MamaFantastic · February 2014

my first labor process was totally med-free and took 45 hours from first contraction to delivery. the contractions started (not sure how far apart... that level of detail is fuzzy now) but only got progressively stronger and closer together over the first 36 hours or so. i went to the hospital 30 hours after i first was awakened with contractions. baby was born 16ish hours later. i stalled at 9cm, but my contractions never eased up... i just didn't progress. i'm sorry i don't have any experience with contractions that ease up or cease altogether. mine were just one after another the entire time.

rest as much as you can now. that's my single biggest regret... i was just SO dead dog tired by the end of it that i had barely any energy to push, and therefore my pushing lasted almost 4 hours.

it feels like forever. i know. i know! you can do it.