If you were induced the first time...

[SquedgieBeckenheim]

I had to be induced with DD at 35 weeks due to pre eclampsia, was 11 hours from insertion of pessary to her being born.
I'm only 19 weeks with DC2 and already worrying about the birth. Obviously hoping for no pre eclampsia or induction this time! What concerns me is how will I know I'm in labour? I didn't realise I was having contractions with DD till midwife pointed it out! Am I likely to have another quick labour? I'm 45 minutes drive from hospital on a good day! Took less time than that to get from 4cm to birth last time!
Would be interested to hear others experience of second birth after having an induction first time. Might reassure me, might not!

[nowayjose1]

Hi! I wasn't induced and had a very long labour with my 1st.

2nd time around I had a amazing water birth and was only in labour for a couple of hours.

I'm sure you will know the signs now after last time, I think the majority of 2nd births tend to be quicker but that's just from my own experience and my friends etc.

Two completely different births 😀

[hgleslie89]

DD (my first child) was induced at 39 weeks due to growth below the 10th percentile. I went in on Wednesday lunchtime. Pessary was left in for 24 hours, no movement. Had the gel, after the 2nd insertion I had a sweep. Waters broke spontaneously about 11pm on Thursday, DD was born at 8.40 the following morning. Contractions came on very fast and I dilated from 4-10cm in about 2 hours. 2nd stage took about an hour and a half.

[Lireal]

2nd baby was much quicker than induced 1st. Had a completely opposite experience with both so I didn't really know what contractions 'should' have felt like. Mine started off as period type twinges turning to painful close contractions within a few hours. My waters didn't break so I was a bit unsure and midwife tried to send me home! Baby2 born about 30mins after that suggestion.

[SquedgieBeckenheim]

lireal that freaks me out that they tried to send you home so close to your birth! As I said in OP, I went from 4cm to birth in only 40 minutes!

I honestly didn't realise that the mild backaches I was having were contractions! I didn't get what felt like contractions till after my waters were broken, that was only 3 hours before DD arrived.

[WitchSharkadder]

I was induced with DC1 (late dates) and also had a very fast Labour- less than 4 hours from insertion of pessary to baby in arms. I also didn't realIse I was having contractions for ages and neither did the midwife. I was 8cm dilated before either of us realised.

I went into labour with DC2 and I just 'knew.' I was getting ready to go be induced (again, late dates...) so was in the bath and felt something and I just knew. Due to the speed of my previous birth, I'd been advised to get myself to hospital PDQ so did and he was born just as I arrived, (less than an hour after first contraction) in the lift to the labour ward

DC3 was another induction due to pre-eclampsia and late dates. Because of that, they induced DC4 just before due date as they were worried about the pre-eclampsia recurring. Have you discussed with your obstetrician whether this is something that would be a possibility for you? I had no signs of pre-eclampsia with DC4, but due to my history and a few other things they decided it was best to get baby out and not let me go to term. I'm not saying that you definitely should be induced again but it might be worth asking your obstetrician anyway.

To answer your actual question though, after one Labour you will 'know' what it feels like if your contractions start spontaneously. Trust your instincts is my best advice, if you have bad back pain then go check it out. You won't be wasting anyone's time and even if you're not in labour, a quick check up is much better than an unplanned home birth.

Good luck.

[SquedgieBeckenheim]

I haven't spoken to my consultant about being induced before due date even if no symptoms, but I plan to. Next seeing her at 23 weeks after uterine artery dopplers. I had an eclamptic seizure and HELLP syndrome post birth last time, so hoping they'll act quickly at the slightest sign of any issue, and not let me go overdue to reduce risks.
I already have bad back pain due to PGP, not sure I'd notice contractions there again

[EllieFredrickson]

Like others 1st birth very long. Labour took ages to get established and needed drugs to help along. All good from Sunday am to 6pm on Tuesday and then had a retained placenta and needed to go to theatre.

2nd completely different. Waters broke at home, hospital about 3am. In a side room with DH until about 6.30am. Was about 5cm then. Into pool for pain relief about 6.45 hadn't intended for a water birth but all progressed very quickly and DS was born at 7.15 in the pool.