4th labour and birth.

[ThePhantomPlopper]

The baby will walk out right?

Last 2 were lovely as far as labour goes. The 4th labour horror stories have started coming in from the same people who warned me that my 3rd would also be awful.

I need 4th labour stories!

[Arithmeticulous]

My 3rd was perfect - short waterbirth, no pain relief... 4th was the same- foetal explusion reflex after three hours, in water, no pain relief - so where I was 20 minutes before DC3 was born ... and then it went 'wrong' and there was another 5/6 hours of painful pushing.

However from that point on, it resembled DC1's birth but 10x better.

For me, I was expecting a birth like DC3 or better. I got a birth better than DC1.

[mumof4sons]

My 4th labour was the easiest.

I think I had been having contractions on and off for about a week, but didn't think much about it. Went to bed as usual one night suspecting nothing. Got up in the early hours of the morning for a wee and as I was getting back into bed my waters broke. (That had never happened in my previous 3 pregnancy - they had always been ruptured on arrival to hospital.) I ran back into the bathroom to stand in the bath because every time I move more gushed out. Was quite funny really as husband hadn't even woken up. I had to start shouting for him. Suddenly contractions started quite fast and furious. He woke and called his parents to come and watch our other DCs. They must have been sleeping in clothes as they were on doorstep in a matter of minutes - lived about 4 miles away. Left house immediately, as contractions really fast and furious. Hospital less than a mile away thankfully.
Met midwife, never got her name as I was ready to push and no4 arrived within minutes with barely any gas and air.

DH had quick cuddle with baby - he wasn't very well at the time - stomach bug so went home. On his arrival at home he swore the bed hadn't even had time to get cold.

So no4 was very quick and easy.

[ThePhantomPlopper]

Not too bad then, although 6 hours of pushing - eek!

[gaby274]

I just had my 4th baby last week and it was the easiest of all my children my first was twins, second i was in labour for 2 day and the third accidental home birth. My 4th i was in labour for 2 hours my husband even said it wasnt that bad. Goodluck x

[Sabriel]

My 4th was my easiest. Pains started about 10am. Went to hospital quite early, determined to have an epidural but it was Sunday and not enough staff on. Baby arrived at 5.20pm after a second stage that only lasted 6 minutes. (DC3 having taken 50 mins and got stuck).

I've never heard any horror stories about the 4th. Only 3rd and 5th.

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

What's all this about 3rd horror stories??

This has passed me by-please inform me...

3rd due on 2 an a bit weeks!!

[Barabajagal]

Under 2 hours from first contraction to meeting dc4. It really was a walk in the park and we were home for lunch. Mind you the baby before had been BIG which may have loosened things up a little.

[Barabajagal]

Ooh Boys dc3 may have been big but he was only 3 hours from start to finish himself. I'm sure you'll be fine.

[ohforfoxsake]

My 4th was a doddle. Born in the bag, she was out within the hour.

BUT she was 14 days late, and was a real slow burner. I was 4cm at 8am, went off to sports day, came home, slept. At 6.10 I called the MW. At 6.13 I called her again (not great on a Friday evening) she was with me by 6.30, and DC4 was born at 7pm.

No tearing, just a quick few pushes and out she came. I remember the MW saying "ooh she's trying to cry' as she was still in the membrane. I didn't look - that would have been weird - but a very memorable birth for them and a piss-easy birth for me.

[ThePhantomPlopper]

Boys - my 3rd birth was fabulous, 7 hours long, 5 of those were spent at home. She was born in the birthing pool at hospital, it was a lovely experience. Don't listen to the scare stories like I have

These are all sounding positive, thank you!

[pearlgirl]

Boys- my 3rd was the easiest - 2 hours from first contraction to baby - he was 8 days late and the only un-induced labour out of the four. Four was the quickest induction of the others. Hope all goes well for both of you.

[Haribojoe]

My fourth birth was the best

Contracted all day at home, not agony but knew she was on the way, still managed to do the ironing, potter about.

Read the kids their bedtime story and told them that if they woke up in the night Mummy probably wouldn't be here as the baby was coming but that Aunty Haribo would be here.

Headed to hospital at around midnight, was 4cm when I arrived, mobilised for a bit, had some gas and air, whilst sharing jokes with DH and midwives.

Then remember saying that I didn't think the baby would be much longer, got into the pool and about an hour later spontaneously pushed out DD.

Was exactly how I'd hoped, except had wanted to be at home!

So sad I won't ever get to do it again

[ilikemysleep]

My 4th they examined me and said I was only 3 cm, not in established labour, and I couldn't go to delivery ward (had been on antenatal ward all day because water had broken and had cholestasis so needed monitoring). 18 minutes later she was in my arms! Thank heavens I was in a side room not the main ward, because I never got to go to labour ward....

[EdgarAllanPond]

went into labour at the beginning of the England vs Italy game - DS2 was born in time to see England lose yet another penalty shoot out.

i think i'd been ready to pop for ages - had the feel of waters bulging all week.