Anyone else had a precipitate labour and pregnant again?

[secondtimeprego]

With my first I had a precipitate labour. First contraction to birth within 2.5 hours, I only made it to hospital with 10 mins before I met my little bundle of joy.

I am now 17 weeks pregnant with my second and absolutely petrified of going into labour-I've been having nightmares. It's well documented that second births are generally much quicker! I am so worried of being caught out when my partner is at work, and being at home alone quickly giving birth with no aid and a screaming toddler wondering what's wrong with mummy!

I was hoping for some positive stories to help ease my fears. So far all the comfort the midwife could give me was "these things usually work out"

[BeginnerSAHM]

Yes, I did. Exactly the same with number one - I was fully dilated when I arrived at hospital and he was born 2 1/2 hours after waking up. I knew to go in a the first 'twinge' (which soon turned into serious pain) the second time and I was only 7 cm when i arrived that time. She was born just over an hour after the first twinge but I had longer in hospital before she arrived. I'm now 36 weeks pregnant with number 3 - so I'm planning on calling an ambulance if I'm on my own (as advised by the midwife).

There's not much you can do about it unless you ask for an induction but they'll only agree to that once you're 40 weeks (normally). That's no good for me as both my previous two were early.

An ambulance should get to you within 10 minutes in the worst case scenario...

[BeginnerSAHM]

Oh - and I have about 5 v close friends/neighbours lined up to look after the children if necessary. They know I have very rapid labours so appreciate it will be important to get here very quickly...

[secondtimeprego]

Unfortunately for me, I'm new to my area so don't really know my neighbours, and all friends/family live 30-60 mins away. I'm just hoping that by a stroke of luck I won't be alone, will just have to very social towards the end of my pregnancy I think-always invite someone round on standby. Thankfully my partner was on a late shift with baby number 1, and I went into labour in the morning so was very lucky he was home. (It's a 2 hour commute each way for him so he would have definitely missed the birth!) Glad to hear you made it work with your second. Hope number 3 goes just as smoothly! :)

[octopal]

I had under 4 hours from first twinge to birth on dd1. On dd2 the whole thing was under 2 hours. Luckily it was at night and DH was home and we were able to get MIL to ours in time to look after dd1 before we took off at high speed.

I find the last few weeks of pregnancy 2 very stressful as I was worried about what would happen if I went into labour on my own with dd.

It's difficult because there is no way to anticipate when or what time things will happen so it is impossible to plan for.

For what it's worth my midwife said that one fast labour is no real indication the next one will be fast.

Best of luck.

[sillymillyb]

I have just had a birth reflections meeting at the hospital who delivered ds (4hours labour) because the thought of getting pregnant and having a second quick labour terrified me.

The midwife could not have been lovelier, she has told me that if I have another child they would happily induce me at 38 weeks (based on scans) or failing that I could have an elective c section. She said that they would be equally as nervous as me that I would have another fast labour and would rather put plans in place in advance to manage that.

I came away much more relieved - is it worth requesting a meeting with a midwife too? Good luck

[BeginnerSAHM]

Wow sillymillyb, that's fantastic... I saw a particularly unhelpful doctor who said they wouldn't induce me until 40 weeks... Given that I've been told to expect about 30 minutes this time round, there is obviously a real risk I could give birth en route. But I only got to 38 weeks with number one and 36 with number two - I think it might be worth asking again about an induction at 38 weeks though, if I get there.

And, yes, midwives told me one precipitate labour didn't mean the next one would be. But if you look at the stats, a second one is likely. And, it's also likely to be quicker. I don't want to alarm anybody but it's worth trying to make realistic plans....

[NoRoomForALittleOne]

DC1 = 4 hours, DC2 = 2 hours, DC3 = 73 mins, DC4 = 25 mins... Currently pregnant with DC5 I'm hoping for a sensible discussion about all the risks at some point. Sometimes they suggest a planned homebirth after a previous precipitate labour but I've had too many complications in the past. I thought that my four hour labour was boring because it went on a bit! I've always gone in at first signs and been encouraged to stay. Thankfully with DC4 my labour started in hospital.

[sillymillyb]

I had PTSD after first birth experience, and sobbed through most the reflections meeting. I haven't actually had sex since ds was born (he's 2.8) as I'm so scared of getting pregnant again. I think I scared the midwife a bit, and she would have promised me the world to stop me crying

Seriously though, ask to see a consultant and don't back down. If they say in my hospital that I can request induction / csection at 38 weeks then it must be possible in others. Good luck

[KneeQuestion]

Ive had 3 births, first was 8 hours, my second was 80 minutes! When pregnant with my third, I was a bit concerned and was told many times to get there as soon as I had any signs just in case.

Third was born in a bit under 4 hours, of course everyone thought that was quick too, but after the second I thought it was long!

Any chance of a family member coming to stay around your due date? I had my step Mum come two days before due date, baby no3 arrived that night!

Good luck and try not to worry

[yazz21]

I didn't know there was a childbirth section. I've near enough just started the same thread!
I also had a really quick first labour (1hr 15mins) and am pregnant with my second and worried about not making it to hospital/partner or help not getting here quick enough.

[PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom]

I haven't, but a friend has. All three times when her DH was around, weirdly enough.

There are practical tips if you want them, to make you more confident in an emergency? Things like:

• always make sure your mobile is charged and carry it on you, even in the house;
• leave piles of towels on both/all floors of your house, just in case something happens and you can't move;

-teach your child (if old enough) how to operate the telly!

• at the first twinge, unlock the front door and leave it on the latch.

FWIW, I also know someone who had a sudden labour with her toddler in the house and everything was fine. The biggest issue was that she couldn't get to the front door to open it for the ambulance crew, she ended up on the phone telling them which neighbour had a spare key.

My third felt quick in 4 hours (5 if you count the early stages). So I don't have personal experience.

[BeginnerSAHM]

I'm now wondering whether to make a fuss at my 36+6 week appointment next week and asking, again, to be induced at 38 weeks. DC1 born at 38+2 and DC2 at 36 weeks so I just assumed this baby would be technically pre-term this time too (so they wouldn't be able to induce it safely) but I've got further than I did with DC2. I really really don't want to have it unattended, although I know all the advice about towels, door on the latch, keeping the baby warm etc. I appreciate you can never predict how long labours will take but the midwife is estimating about 30 minutes from first twinge this time - there's at least a significant chance that it will be half the previous labour time anyway .

I'd be interested to hear whether anybody else's hospital agrees to a 38 week induction... Good luck everybody.

[BeginnerSAHM]

It's very good you had a few warning signs miaow...!! Yes - same here - early and fast is a scary combination.

[Darquesse]

I had second labour of one hour start to finish at 37 weeks and spent the whole if pregnancy three in a panic. For me it was needless as dc3 took 16 hours to arrive.

I second all the advice unthread though, would you consider a home birth?

Are there any antenatal groups you can join to make some friends, it will help to know there are people you can call.

If labour starts ring an ambulance straight away and get on all fours with your pelvis higher than your head. Apparently this slows down labour.