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Childbirth

Is second labour always quicker than the first?

54 replies

rightlittlered · 21/05/2017 21:46

I am expecting again and was induced at 38 weeks with our first dd due to growth problems. My obstetrician has said that if things continue on the right track, I'll be allowed to go into labour spontaneously (which I'm actually really excited about) BUT we have just moved 3.5 hours away from family and do not have any friends here to watch DD so we're having to keep family members on standby to travel up to watch her while I'm in labour. My main concern is that 3.5 hours might not be long enough for anyone to get here and I'll end up delivering on the living room floor... which I'm petrified about!

I know that people have very different birthing experiences but I was just wondering whether anyone would like to share their labour timings? From contractions starting to baby arriving?

OP posts:
Michaelsone1 · 22/05/2017 06:51

1st baby 3 hours 20 minutes from very first twinge.

2nd baby 2 hours 15 minutes from first contraction, however 3 sweeps before that meant I was 3 cm dilated 2 days before I went into labor.

wineandchocolate123 · 22/05/2017 06:54

First, just under 9 hours (though waters broke 15 hours before contractions started)

Second, early labour for a couple of days. Got to 4cm but contractions kept stopping. Midwife broke my waters and put me on a drip to get things moving. 1 hr 45 mins later baby was here.

CheshireSplat · 22/05/2017 07:01

Wow Michael you were quick each time!

1st baby: from contractions to birth - 15 hours.
2nd baby: had contractions for a few hours but they calmed down and rumbled on for about 8 hours (could do stuff through them, like running crafts at DD1's playgroup!) but when they got going properly was only about 2 1/2 hours til birth.

A massive difference for me though was the pushing stage. First time I wasn't doing it properly (ineffectual midwife and my lack of experience), then DD1 got stuck. 2nd time I threw myself into it embraced the poo

Spam88 · 22/05/2017 07:02

I have nothing helpful to add but I'm so jealous of the responses on this thread 😂 Just had my first, 37 hours from first contractions until she finally made an appearance. I certainly hope number two is quicker!

Best of luck OP :)

Artus · 22/05/2017 07:05

Usually but not always.

First (waters broke first each time) active labour about 3 hours, pushing about 10 minutes.

Second - active labour 11 hours, pushing - one push, almost third degree tear.

Cantamendusername · 22/05/2017 07:06

First just over 10 hours from first contraction, around 6 hours after waters breaking.
Second 7 hours from first contraction, but only 50 minutes after waters breaking.
Second was quicker for me but I have to say also a lot less painful.

bumblingmum · 22/05/2017 07:08

For me it was quicker. First was 14 hours, second was 2.5 hours (and easier).

MollyHuaCha · 22/05/2017 07:12

I think it is nearly always quicker, though there may be exceptions.

Okite · 22/05/2017 07:14

My first labour was my quickest (2.5 hours), my second was my slowest (4.5 hours)
Would you consider a home birth? Or look into emergency childcare options, find a sitter through sitters.co.uk or ask at nursery if your DC goes there. Use them a few times beforehand to give them chance to get used to them

metalmum15 · 22/05/2017 07:18

First baby, 17 hours from when waters broke to birth (but ended up in theatre as baby was being awkward so should have been quicker )
Second baby, had slight contractions for around 20 hours (wasn't even sure they were real ones at first ), then 4 hours from when they really ramped up. ( And completely different birth too, baby practically flew out this time 😀)

metalmum15 · 22/05/2017 07:18

First baby, 17 hours from when waters broke to birth (but ended up in theatre as baby was being awkward so should have been quicker )
Second baby, had slight contractions for around 20 hours (wasn't even sure they were real ones at first ), then 4 hours from when they really ramped up. ( And completely different birth too, baby practically flew out this time 😀)

mistermagpie · 22/05/2017 07:57

Mine was. First labour was about three hours from first twinge to baby, second labour was about two hours.

mistermagpie · 22/05/2017 07:58

Second labour was much much easier too, I actually enjoyed it! Good luck.

MiniAlphaBravo · 22/05/2017 08:01

First baby was 56 hours and second was 5 hours.

Maybe plan a home birth then if it's overnight your dc can just stay asleep (mine did until about an hour before dc was born)... some people choose to have their toddler present at the birth though this wasn't something I wanted. Good luck!

MrsBellefleur · 22/05/2017 08:04

Mine was technically. 1st birth was natural, 7 1/2 from first twinge to baby. 2nd dc I was induced as my waters had broken 24 hours earlier but no contractions. Pessary in at 1pm, baby here by half 5 so 4 1/2 hours all in.

Popskipiekin · 22/05/2017 08:07

DC1: waters broke out of nowhere, nothing happened, baby born 7 hours after induction (48 hours after waters)
DC2: waters broke out of nowhere and baby in

Spanneroo · 22/05/2017 08:23

DC1 - 2.5hrs from first contration, back to back labour
DC2 - 1hr 8mins from first contraction

We had a homebirth second time for a similar reason to you (only family are closer at just over an hour away). I'm very very glad we made that decision!

BelfastSmile · 22/05/2017 08:44

First time: about 14 hours
Second: about 20 minutes, onto the bathroom floor, to complete shock!

So it would be a good idea to have a contingency plan if you can. Saying that, a fast delivery at home was much less terrifying than I thought it would be!

rightlittlered · 22/05/2017 08:50

Ahhh thank you so much to all you wonderful ladies who shared your experiences! My first labour was around 11 hours. My waters went first and I dilated super quickly but she was back to back so the pushing stage felt like forever! I'm so nervous this time! Seeing the midwife tomorrow so will ask her about home birth options... I'm still under the care of a few consultants though due to me having a heart condition so we'll see what she says!

As someone else has suggested, my other option is to ask someone to stay from 39 weeks... I am actually very intrigued by Doulas, will do some research!

Very interesting seeing the varying times! Thanks again xx

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 22/05/2017 08:51

Ds1: waters - 30 mins later contractions - 2 hours later birth.
Ds2: waters - 10 mins later contractions - 15 mins later birth
So yes quicker for me, and an unassisted home birth. I had planned a home birth but wasn't expecting that. But everything was fine. My midwife told that you don't get quick births like that if there are problems, so if there are problems you have time to get assistance.

Hope it all goes well.

rightlittlered · 22/05/2017 08:51

Belfast - That's so lovely to hear as that's what I'm fearing the most, I think!!

OP posts:
BelfastSmile · 22/05/2017 10:26

Honestly, @rightlittlered, if someone had told me I would have the baby on the bathroom floor with no assistance (DH was there, but on the phone to the ambulance until the actual arrival!), I would have been horrified. I suffer from very severe anxiety at the best of times, so even a regular birth is a terrifying prospect for me. But actually it was fine - obviously a bit of a surprise, but it happened really fast and once it was over I was really relieved and calm!

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Funnyonion17 · 22/05/2017 10:36

First was three days slow labour, second about 9 hours.

Groovee · 22/05/2017 10:37

First baby 4 hours labour.

Second 8 hours Labour.

Whirltime · 22/05/2017 10:39

My second was quicker but that wasn't hard.
First was 72 hours.
Second was 45 minutes.

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