Is labour always supposed to follow the same pattern?

[~clover~]

None of mine have been the same.
DS's labour started of slowish. 15 minutes apart. For about an hour til my waters broke, then built up pretty quickly.
My contractions never got regular. Even at 10cm I could have 1 minute between 2, then the next wouldn't hit for 5 minutes. Then back to 2, then 7!

DD1's started off with waters breaking & did the slow build up...very slow. DD2 I had prelabour for 20 or so hours, 30 minute apart contractions for 3 hours, then bam! 5 minutes apart & I was 7cm an hour later! She wasn't born for another 4 or so hours, so the 30 minute apart ones I had actually been dialating, but your made to thing they don't do much til your about 5 minutes apart. Her waters were broken on crowning.

All 3 were completely different, in every way. DD2's labour was longer than DD1. I think position had everything to do with it, DD2 wasn't engaged & had a shoulder at the front & a shoulder at my back (painful!)

The shock of DS coming so quick was, well, a shock, lol. I went from 2 week over due looong labours (18hrs & 30hrs) to 2 days early & 5 hours! We were expecting at least a few more days, then way more hours! lol

All I can say is prepare yourself. Mentally. Know it'll probably be fast again, but take it easy on yourself & try to relax. You've done it before, you can do it again