'Perfect' length of time for labour?

[beansbeans!]

I was reading about something or watching something today (in other words cant remember where I heard/saw this) and the subject was length (time) of labour.

The comment was made by a woman who said her labour was very short and felt rushed. She said that the next time round she wanted a more perfect length of labour...

It got me thinking what do you think is the perfect length of labour??

I had one long labour (12hrs with dd1) and two short labours (less than 1.5hrs both times with dd2 and dd3). personally I preferred the shorter labours. My body responded to the shorter labours better. I dont have an opinion of what the perfect length of labour is though..

But Im curious, your thoughts on the perfect length of labour... thats if there is one..

And my apoligies if this makes little sense, its been a long day with three sicks girlies

[Maruschke]

Is 12 hours short? First contraction to birth was more than 2 days for me! I really want a shorter one this time, but it can't really be longer can it? O.o

[beansbeans!]

I dunno 12hrs could be short for some It was bloody long for me though

Two days is definately not an ideal time to labour for though

[chody47]

I had 2.5-3hrs of 'active' labour. I too felt rushed, but to be honest, I think that for me that is better as it didn't give me time to really think about things and get stressed. That being said, when DD had just arrived I do remember thinking that I was a bit in shock as the whole thing happened so quick. I do hope for the same next time though.

[MummaBee]

Both mine were about 10ish hours which in my opion was to much pain for all thatb work
If I was able to choose the length of Labour I think 3hours would be awesome.

[beansbeans!]

Chody thats what I liked about my short labours, there wasnt time to get stressed or anything.
But the short ones didnt feel rushed for me. Although I do remember thinking, 'is that it?'

Mummabee I like the sound of 3hrs

[~Hestia~]

Although I do remember thinking, 'is that it?'

This is how I felt about Buster's labour - was just under 2 and a half hours, and thought the exact same thing when it was time to push.

My first was 22 hours and I was hoping for half that for my second! But it was 2 hours and 24 minutes to be exact and was fantastic

I don't know if it was just my experience or if this is usual for faster labours...but I felt that the contractions were sooo intense much sooner the second time. That was the most challenging - not having time to ease into it.

[Novella]

I seem to have about 6 hours of active labour and that seems about right for me, but early labour has varied with each labour. With DD1 and DD3 I was in hospital for the last 2.5 hours and that seemed about the right time to be in hospital too, I dont think I would have handled the car ride well after that. With dd2 my waters broke and I started contracting and because I was only 35 weeks I had to go in straight away, it made the labour seem longer and I think it would have passed more quickly/easily at home as I was in hospital 5 hours before she came.

I found the last 45 minutes before pushing to be the hardest with each birth, up until then things were easliy managed by walking/rocking.

Pushing for me was around 45 min, 25 mina and 3 min but it all seemed like the same amount of time. I think I really lose sense of time when Im pushing

[LuluHB]

DD1 was loooooooooong - 34 hours - although that was made up of all sorts of 'bits' of labour rather than what was active labour. Way too long for my liking.

DD2 was about 1.5 hours of niggles that I thought were still just pre-labour except for a trickle from my hind waters - uncomfortable not painful - and then 15 minutes of severely intense active labour. While it was great to have it all done very quickly and there was no time to even think about pain relief let alone get some, I went into shock after her birth. Not sure what would be the "perfect" length of labour, but more than 15 minutes would be nice.

[Maruschke]

DD1 was loooooooooong - 34 hours - although that was made up of all sorts of 'bits' of labour rather than what was active labour. Way too long for my liking.

DD2 was about 1.5 hours of niggles that I thought were still just pre-labour except for a trickle from my hind waters - uncomfortable not painful - and then 15 minutes of severely intense active labour. While it was great to have it all done very quickly and there was no time to even think about pain relief let alone get some, I went into shock after her birth. Not sure what would be the "perfect" length of labour, but more than 15 minutes would be nice.

Oooh this gives me hope! I was hoping I'd "paid my dues" with DD1's labour and could have a much shorter one this time.

[CKJ]

Anything is better than the 43 hours of regular intense 3min apart contractions I had!

I don't think there is a perfect time length. Every woman's body reacts differently - although in saying that, if I can get my next labour to 1/4 of what I had last time I'll be thrilled!

[Jennifer13]

Loved DD2's labour and birth, fair amount of early/pre labour (over two days). Active labour noted as 1 1/2 hours by my m/w (but i felt it was more than pre labour for a couple of hours before) with another 50 mins of pushing.

I will happily take exactly the same amount of labour again, but less second stage/pushing please! Although I wouldn't complain if it was the same again.

[lilima]

Both mine were about 4 hours. I thought it was the perfect length. I loved giving birth. Would happily give birth over being pregnant any day!

[Kazzo]

DD2 labour was my perfect labour and I would love it to go like that again next time. 22.5 hours of a slow steady build up that never got painful.
DD1 was a 12.5 hour labour on synto strapped to moniters on a bed or in a chair. While I still enjoyed this labour too, after having DD2 I know how much more intense an induced labour is and how much less you body controls over the synto.

[No.5]

DS labour (induction) from start to finish was about 8 hours. No idea about the total hours that were active though.

For me, 4 or 5 hours would be a good length

[AndiE]

I reckon the length of my (spontaneous) labours have (so far) been rather perfect - for me.
With both boys I birthed for approx 7-8 hours, of which only probably the final 90 mins was "hard yakka". The first 5-6 hours was a gradual build up of contractions and intensity, making both my births "perfectly manageable".

Honestly though, I don't think "perfect" is a one-size-fits-all scenario

[Babyluv]

Mine was about 10hrs from the first contraction. I think about 5ish hrs of active labour 3 mins apart.
I think mine was the perfect length, my body had time to adjust, I found it manageable.

[Heaven]

My first was 35+ hrs. That was not fun.

So with DD2 when I had a 10hr labour from start to finish it felt like a walk in the park. Could have just done with a bit less than the 2 hrs pushing though.