Labour is usually accompanied by a series of intense and repeated muscle contractions. They are responsible for pushing the baby out of the womb into the birth canal during birth. How fast a woman gives birth depends on a number of factors and usually varies from one woman to the other.
For first time mothers, labour takes about 12 – 18 hours on average while for subsequent pregnancies it takes about 6-8 hours. Labour moves more quickly if you have given birth before. What about labour that lasts for more than 20 hours? And what are the signs of slow labour?
Slow labour, also referred to as failure to progress labour, happens when labour is experienced for approximately 20 hours or more and beyond 14 hours for mothers who have previously given birth. A slow labour or a prolonged labour can be exhausting and often alarming but it rarely leads to serious complications. However, it should not be ignored, talk to your healthcare provider to run the necessary test to identify the cause of the issue.
Slow labour is also used when the mother is dilating at an interval less than 1-2 cm per hour. Generally, during active labour, it takes about 3 to 7cm on average. According to a recent study, about 1% of the 1st time mothers experience labour for more than 20 hours.
Below are some factors that can contribute to a slow labour. Some may not be serious and can be managed easily while others may need serious medical attention to managing.
Here, we are going to discuss about the signs of a slow labour. They include
Consider Using the following Tips if Experiencing Slow Labour
Dehydration complicates matters by decreasing the intensity and the effectiveness of the contraction. It’s important that you drink clear fluids during labour.
It’s important that you remain calm in the case of a slow labour. Your body is expected to find its way out during labour and even though it may happen at a slower pace, you should be patient.
If you are experiencing slow labour, talk to someone and have someone stay with you to avoid stressing yourself thereby causing more delay of the labour.
Instead of timing each and every contraction that occurs, you can distract yourself by watching a movie, listening to music, or playing a game. This may help you take the issue more lightly.
Warmth can help strengthen the contractions during a prolonged labour. A warm bath can also help to reduce slow labour pain
You can try taking a walk, lunging, rocking, changing sleeping positions, and sitting on a birth ball among other simple activities.
Stimulating your nipples can increase the oxytocin hormone that is responsible for the contractions of the uterus. They should be done in between contractions.
During a slow labour, the mother can feel exhausted, dehydrated, and infrequent pain. Contractions are less than 3 within a period of about 10 minutes and they last for less than 40 seconds. The mother also feels the need to visit the toilet frequently. Though the labour isn’t very painful, it’s more uncomfortable and simple physical exercises are recommended. Generally, signs of slow labour at 34-37 weeks include contraction about 2 minutes apart and a slightly painful labour.
Medically Reviewed By
Catherine is a dedicated freelance health and science writer committed to excellence and professionalism. She specializes in health topics including diet and nutrition, immune-related diseases, surgery, and cancer.
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