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Labour Room Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the shortest period of time you know between the first sign that my body is going into labor to the moment I meet my baby?
A: The length of labor can vary widely and also depends on whether this is your first baby or not. If this is your first baby, you will have plenty of time between the signs of early labor and when your baby arrives. An average first labor runs about 12 hours; however, the range can be as much as two hours to 24 hours plus. A second or subsequent labor averages about half that 12 hours, with the range being anywhere from 30 minutes to 12-15 hours.
So you can see, if this is your first labor you will have lots of time, even once you've entered a more active phase of labor where your contractions are strong and regular. If, on the other hand, this is not your first baby, and you delivered very quickly the last time, you and your doctor may want to consider strategies, including the possibility of inducing your labor to help guarantee that your baby is born in the hospital and not prior to your arrival.
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