While some people experience fast labors, others face the opposite—a long, exhausting birth that lasts hours or even days.
A long labor doesn’t mean something is wrong, but it can be physically and emotionally draining. Knowing how to stay strong, manage pain, and avoid unnecessary interventions can make all the difference.
This guide will cover:
✔️ Why some labors take longer than others
✔️ How to manage exhaustion & stay focused
✔️ Ways to encourage labor progress without unnecessary interventions
What Causes a Long Labor?
📌 Long labors (also called prolonged or stalled labor) happen for many reasons, including:
🚼 1. Baby’s Positioning
✔️ Posterior (sunny-side up) or asynclitic babies may take longer to descend.
✔️ Spinning Babies techniques can help reposition baby.
🚼 2. Cervix Dilating Slowly
✔️ Some people dilate over many hours or days (especially if it’s a first baby).
✔️ Inductions started before the body is ready can lead to long, drawn-out labors.
🚼 3. Anxiety or Tension Slowing Labor
✔️ Fear increases stress hormones, which can stall labor.
✔️ Relaxation techniques help release tension and allow labor to progress.
🚼 4. Baby Not Fully Engaged in the Pelvis
✔️ Changing positions & movement help baby settle into the right position.
✔️ Staying upright & active speeds things up naturally.
📌 Pro Tip: A long labor does not automatically mean you need a C-section—your body may just need more time!
💡 Related Post: Understanding the Stages of Labor: What to Expect from Start to Finish
How to Cope with a Long Labor & Avoid Exhaustion
📌 1. Stay Hydrated & Nourished
✔️ Sip on coconut water, electrolyte drinks, or broths.
✔️ Eat easily digestible snacks (bananas, honey sticks, toast).
📌 2. Rest Between Contractions
✔️ Use side-lying positions or the peanut ball to conserve energy.
✔️ Close your eyes & take micro-naps between contractions.
📌 3. Change Positions Frequently
✔️ Standing, swaying, or lunging can encourage baby to descend.
✔️ Try hands & knees if baby is posterior.
📌 4. Use Water for Pain Relief
✔️ A warm shower or bath can help relax muscles & reduce tension.
✔️ Hydrotherapy is proven to shorten labor times for some people.
📌 5. Keep Your Mind Focused & Positive
✔️ Use affirmations like “Each wave brings me closer to my baby.”
✔️ Surround yourself with supportive, calm birth partners.
📌 Pro Tip: If labor slows or stalls, resting for a while can help labor restart naturally.
💡 Related Post: Pain Management Options for Labor: From Natural to Medical
When to Intervene (And When to Keep Waiting)
📌 You might hear that your labor is “too long”—but it’s important to know when intervention is truly needed.
🚼 Reasons to Consider Medical Help:
✔️ Signs of infection (fever, foul-smelling fluid, baby distress).
✔️ Water has been broken for 24+ hours without contractions starting.
✔️ Exhaustion to the point of being unable to continue.
🚼 Situations Where You Can Likely Keep Waiting:
✔️ Baby is handling labor well (monitored heart rate is normal).
✔️ Contractions are still coming, even if slowly.
✔️ You feel mentally & physically able to keep going.
📌 Pro Tip: If you’re being pressured into interventions, ask: “Is this an emergency, or do we have time to wait?”
💡 Related Post: How to Advocate for Yourself in Pregnancy & Birth
Birthify’s Expert Support for Birth Stamina & Labor Progress
💛 Feeling stuck in labor? Need help making decisions about interventions? Birthify’s birth experts provide real-time coaching to help you navigate labor confidently.
👉 Join Birthify today and get expert-led birth support! Sign up here