What causes long labors

So anyone that has read my birth story or has heard it knows that I had a long labor. 60 hours from my first contraction until I had my cesarean. Who knows how long it would have been if I didn’t have a cesarean. So I want to talk about long labors and what I have learned since having Rhett.

     A main reason for long labors is fetal position. Doctors and everyone make it seem like the only thing that matters is that the baby is head down. While you're pregnant you get asked if the baby is head down. Your OB will act like you're in the clear if your baby is head down. But they never educate you that there are different positions the baby can be in (while they are head down) which can cause labor to be long. 

    When I was pregnant with Rhett I had an ultrasound done at 40 weeks and 3 days, I was told it is standard if you go past your estimated due date. The midwife told me that the baby was measuring 7 Lbs 7 oz. ( which was and is usually off) and then casually told me that he was facing my left hip. Also I remember getting an ultrasound done earlier, maybe around 28 weeks at one of the 3d places and the ultrasound tech also said he was “head down but in a weird position”. 

   When I had my C-section Rhett was born (or pulled out) in an OP (occiput posterior or sunny side up position) The back of his head was towards my tailbone and his face was facing my belly button. Babies can still be born vaginally this way, but it is not ideal. An OA (occiput anterior, face facing your butt) is an optimal position. 

   After studying my records and talking to people who know more than me, Aka my pelvic floor pt and midwife :) I learned labor can take a long time if your baby is positioned like this and it can cause you to have back labor. Your baby rotates clock rise and since Rhett was op and facing my left hip he was working the long way around. I Will attach a pic at the bottom of this blog so you can see the different positions. 

    So what makes babies get in these positions and what can you do to help? The biggest thing for me was sitting, I think. I worked 40 hours a week at a desk job then I would come home usually watch an hour on Netflix and go to sleep. So move around, go on walks, bounce and move around on a ball if you have to sit. Also watch your posture when you are sitting, sit up straight and when you are using your phone try not to slouch. Spinning babies and miles circuit can help get baby in an ideal position. Going to a chiropractor weekly or bi weekly. In my opinion chiropractor is just as if not more important than ob appointments. Find a Webster certified chiropractor. They are certified in adjusting pregnant women and will help align your pelvis and get the baby in a good position. Also seeing a pelvic floor pt can help too.

   Okay I’m clearly passionate about baby positioning, I just feel like OBs and your provider should tell you what you can do to make your labor smoother besides just that “oh yes your good to go he is head down”. You can birth your baby in pretty much any position, some just take longer than others.

Anyways, intervention is probably the next thing on my list that can slow down your labor and make it longer. 

   The first intervention is when you leave your house. Have you heard those birth stories where everything was moving along great and the mom gets to the hospital and labor stalls. Being at the hospital, having to change into a hospital gown, getting an Iv in your arm, a swab up your nose, having a nurse stick their arm in you to see if you are dilated are all interventions and can definitely slow your flow of oxytocin. Bright lights, being on a clock, being in a not so warm intimate environment, having nurses, midwives, doctors checking on you every hour and giving their opinion on how they can speed things up or which medication will help with your “pain” can all cause stalls in labor. Getting cervical exams too often and worrying about why you only dilated 1 cm in 3 hours. The worry, stress, anxiety will slow down oxytocin and can stall labor.

    Some things you can do to keep labor from stalling, hire a doula they will work with you and know you personally to know what will help. Other things if it stalls and there is no medical reason to “hurry it up” why not just relax? take a  nap if you can, take a bath, eat or drink, have someone braid your hair, or massage you, listen to affirmations or music. Go on a walk, sit backwards on a toilet with your head on a pillow. Try miles circuit. Try different labor positions your doula recommends.  Avoid induction medication like Pitocin, If your doctor or midwife suggests it just to speed things up. Avoid having your waters broken and cervical exams. Your baby will come when he is ready and these interventions are usually unnecessary and can cause more interventions and distress. I’m not a doctor or midwife so make sure you discuss all of that with your care team, I am just speaking from my own research and experience.

    Okay I can go on and on with this topic but just know labor can be long, that can be normal. Try to move around and don’t sit all day, labor at home as long as possible, hire a doula, get REAL  oxytocin flowing and avoid unnecessary interventions. But remember your baby will come, you will not be pregnant forever, you got this Mama.