Is labour always supposed to follow the same pattern?

By that I mean, contractions start far apart, getting closer together as things get more progressed?

I found with both of my labours that my contractions started out on top of each other. With my first I was having problems defining where one started & the other ended, though I think that had a lot to do with bub being posterior & having a lot of back pain at the same time. The second time around, I had been in labour for 5 hours, had my doula on the phone convinced I was pretty far along, the hospital convinced & turned out I was only 3cm.

Is it possible that my body just doesn't follow the starts slow & builds up sort of pattern? Has anyone else found the same thing in their labours? How have you coped when it starts from nothing & gets very full on very quickly?

My labour started with my waters breaking, with contractions beginning an hour later. As I was at 35 weeks, I was already on my way into hospital (had only just left home) when cx started, and they were immediately 4 minutes apart, and quite full on. We still had a 40 minute trip ahead of us, and we were both convinced the baby would be born in the car LOL! Just because we were expecting cx that gradually got closer together, and slowly built up in intensity. Happily, we had another 13 hours before DS arrived, so definitely made it to the hossy in time :lol:. My bub was also posterior, and pretty badly malpositioned, I'm not sure how much that had to do with it. But I do know now that all labours will be different, for all women. Next time I won't be expecting the gradual build up, but if it happens that way, then that's fine too :).

My first labour started suddenly, built up fast, and lasted a long time.

My second started over many days, then when it got properly started went with a bang,

And my third started with waters breaking and lots of contractions, then slowed down and lasted a looooong time.

They are all different, although many women who have fast labours are more likely to continue with fast labours, likewise with long labours. But nothing is guaranteed and a lot depends on the position your baby is in.

I found that all my labours, but particularly those points where I went from zero to 100 very fast, HypnoBirthing breathing allowed me to remain calm whilst my endorphins caught up with the contractions.

My first started with contractions & the second with waters breaking & contractions started after 3 hours.

I know all labours are different, but I just wanted to really make sure that it can be normal for labours to start off hard & fast!

my labour sounds very much like yours, minus the back pain, all of a sudden i was having contractions, they were hard and fast, no build up to get me ready i pretty much got thrown in the deep end :(
After a couple of hours i was telling them she was ready to come but they didnt believe me coz this was my first, but they checked me out and i was fully dialated and ready to push.
As far as how i coped, at first i didnt cope very well, i wasnt prepared for it to be so full on right away, they gave me gas but for an hour and a half of my sucking on it it wasnt even switched on :doh: as soon as i got the gas, i seemed to full into a "zone" and i think i coped pretty well, it was almost like i was outside myself watching me (if that makes sense)
My next baby i will be much mpre prepared, i know it might not go the same way, but i know what im in for this time lol.

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 :hug:

My labours have been different
first: had niggly tummy, waters broke, then contractions started and built up (4hr labour)

second: waters were broken, nothing then bang full on contractions ( 45 minute labour)

third: Waters broke , nothing for a good 4 to 5 hours. Then bang contractions started full on (50 minute labour)

As my labours were so quick i just kept thinking that the baby was getting closer and closer, and tried to breathe through it all ( Tried to anyway) oh and lots of noise helped

Thanks ladies, that's really helpful to know that others have hard & fast labours in terms of contractions (not length for me 36hrs & 12hrs before my c/s were done). So if I decide to go for a VBA2C I should probably expect hard & fast again, but know it could be anything else.