Is Length of Labour Hereditary??

[almeria]

Was speaking to my Mum today, and she said that her first labour (with me) was short, as was her second with my sister, and short labours run in the family.
Does anyone have experience to confirm this is true?
It would be helpful for me to get an idea of what to expect, as this is my first baby, and I want to have some idea of when to go into the hospital (I live 1 hour away).
thank you.

 

[Roo3]

I would say no. My Mum was in labour for 24 hours (from when she was 4cms dilated) with my older brother but I was only in labour for 8.5 hours from start to finish. (I was induced and was about 1cm dilated when they broke my waters).

Every woman and labour is different. All I can suggest is that when things start to happen you call your labour ward and see what they say especially as you live quite far from the hospital. I went from 3-4cms to 9cms in 30 minutes so progressed quite quickly!

 

[almeria]

wow, 4 cm to 9cm in 30 mins is mad!!! was that with your first?
yes, it is a good idea to phone the hospital early and get monitored, thanks

 

[AugustMum]

Every woman is different...however! I had an almost identical labour as my mum had with me. However Im the younger sibling, her first labour was 4 hours, then second was 2 hours whereas my first was 2 hours. Who knows how short the next one will be!

 

[Roo3]

Yeah it was my first. The worst thing was they were just about to redo my epidural as it hadn't worked but then I got the urge to push and they checked me and I was too far gone to have it so had to go the rest of the way on gas and air!!

 

[almeria]

2 hours would still be a dream though! lucky you..

 

[AugustMum]

It took the midwife by surprise!

 

[ZMD]

My Mums first labours was 7 hours her second labours was recorded as 21 minutes! my labour was 4 hours 58 minutes so pretty quick compared to some! x

 

[HeppiBean]

I really hope not! With my older bro, my mum laboured from 4cms in 32 hours and with me from 4cms in 28 PLEASE don't let it be that long for me!! xx

 

[Sarah13]

My mums labours was longer than mine, I was quick at 4 hours last time with no complications, whereas she had lots of bleeding and her labours were most of the day. However you tend to inherit family body shape which could indicate the size of the birth canal being similar and other family traits so there could be some similarities. Plus our mums gave birth a long time ago (35 years for mine!) so everything might have been different then like lying on the bed instead of moving about which slows things down etc. Sisters and cousins might be better comparison!

 

[almeria]

good point, unfortunately none of my sisters or cousins have kids!