The longest documented labor in history involved a Polish woman who remained in labor for 75 days. This extraordinary case involved the birth of premature twins, after the initial fetus had been born prematurely and died. The mother remained in a near upside-down position for the duration to maximize the chances of survival for her remaining babies.
Defining "Longest Labor"
The concept of the "longest labor" requires clarification. The above example represents the longest recorded period of continuous labor resulting in live births. However, the term could also refer to:
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Longest duration of labor resulting in a live birth: As described above, this is the Polish woman's case, lasting 75 days. This is supported by the Reuters article: Polish woman saves babies with 75 days in labor | Reuters.
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Longest strike in history: This question could also be interpreted as referencing the longest labor dispute or strike. While various sources mention long strikes (such as a seven-year strike mentioned in the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park information), a definitive "longest ever" is difficult to determine definitively due to inconsistent record-keeping throughout history. One source mentions a 7-year strike as the longest in American history: 200 Years of Labor History - Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
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Longest period of continuous employment: While related to "labor," this interpretation is outside the scope of the original question. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has information on this topic, but it doesn't refer to individual labor, rather a continuous period of employment for a workforce. COVID-19 ends longest employment recovery and expansion in CES history, causing unprecedented job loss | Bureau of Labor Statistics
Therefore, the answer depends on the definition used. The longest recorded period of continuous labor resulting in live births is the aforementioned 75 days.
