https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:31:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-139714 Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:25:34 +0000 Andrea 139714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I timed it from my first contraction. I wouldn't know how to do it otherwise. It's not like there was a doctor at my house checking down there to see how many cm I was dilated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136965 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:46:32 +0000 MegWag 136965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our midwife said that you don't "qualify" until you are 3cm with regular contractions. My waters broke 40.5 hours before LO arrived, but active labor was only about 16 hours because my contractions took a while to get going steadily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136947 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:41:45 +0000 Sweet T 136947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I measure by the time my water broke. I never had any contractions at all leading up to it. Even then, I didn't contract on my own and had to be put on pitocin. Long story cut short, I was in labor for 18 hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136908 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:28:14 +0000 purrpletulips 136908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced and asked my nurse after LO how long I had actually been in labor. She told me that although I started getting pitocin at about 8AM, I didn't start labor until around 12PM when my water was broken and the contractions really started coming, LO was born at 4:54PM. So, by the nurse's calculation I was only in labor for about 5 hours not 8 as I thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136487 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:10:54 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 136487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just assumed people meant from the time their contractions started. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136482 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:08:25 +0000 heffalump 136482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always measure from the time of contractions. I feel like labor is your body working to get the baby out, and it starts doing that by having contractions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136452 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:39:11 +0000 cupcakemama 136452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rubies: I think some missed the memo that it's not actually a competition, you don't get a medal! And there is such a variety of experiences. I must admit that with labour bignoters I tend to completely poke fun, either 'wow, you must be superwoman' or 'gee, you know they have these things called epidurals these days?' </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136448 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:29:18 +0000 Downward Dog 136448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is prodromal labor, early labor, active labor; people seem to talk about all three. My chart had me in early labor for 9.5 hours before I was in active labor, but I had been having contractions for days before that. I think most people either count from the time you are in the hospital, or the time your contractions are really painful. Everyone's experience is so different! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136446 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:27:45 +0000 Rubies 136446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cupcakemama: I know, right???? Someone I know really explained her labour just like you wrote. I just looked at her with a blank stare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136445 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:26:14 +0000 cupcakemama 136445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Forgot! Mine was 15 hours, fairly average I would imagine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136441 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:18:05 +0000 chopsuey 136441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I measured mine from start of contractions. 12 hours total from start to baby. I progressed quickly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136440 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:17:25 +0000 cupcakemama 136440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Who knows??!<br /> I time it from when I woke with contractions, they were regular and really hurt. I had been in early labour before going to bed, more crampy and irregular.</p> <p>Honestly, some women just like to bignote their experience. I was in labour for 1000 hours with just an asprin for pain relief. Whatever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-in-labour-really-mean#post-136439 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:12:07 +0000 Rubies 136439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What someone says, "I was in labour for 27 hours!" what does that really mean? </p> <p>From the time my contractions began to the time I gave birth, 30 hours had passed. But, from the time I was admitted to the hospital to the time I gave birth, only 12 hours had passed.</p> <p>When does one measure the start of labour? </p>