Are second/third labours faster?

[Potteryprincess30]

Just that really, though I'd like to add 'easier' (she hopes!)

I know anything is possible and to try and be prepared for any birth plan to go out of the window, but was interested to know other women's experiences of subsequent labours after that first bundle of joy

Was it faster? did the baby arrive earlier/later? if you did/didn't tear did this repeat the next time ?

[windchimesabotage]

id like to know this too!! would be good to hear some reassuring stories as my first birth was horrendous and now im expecting my second.

My midwife did tell me that subsequent births are supposedly quicker. (my first was nearly 3 days in full labour!)

[QueenAravisOfArchenland]

It does seem like second labours are almost invariably much quicker and easier than first. Third seem like they can go either way - usually shorter/easier than first but can be harder than second - but I'm not speaking from personal experience there!

[peachypips]

First labour- 27 hours ending in emcs as back to back.

Second labour- 55 mins start to finish vaginal birth.

[Amatree]

I'm interested to hear about this too-currently expecting number 2 after a four day labour with DS. Wondering what we're meant to do with him for the best part of a week if I have the same again, because I laboured at home for three days before they wild admit me and I can't have him witnessing that! Really hoping for a more 'normal' length this time!

[Thishatisnotmine]

15 hours dd1. Although it progressed quite quickly to begin with then she got stuck
Less than 3 dd2. Really sraight forward.

[Potteryprincess30]

@QueenAravisOfArchenland I like this, you can stay

[PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks]

2nd was half the time, 3rd was slightly faster, 2nd was a fortnight early like the first, 3rd was 3 weeks early, I tore once with DC1.

[Passthecake30]

Ds, got to hospital 4am, 2cm dilated, born 8pm that eve.

Dd, got to hospital 4am, 2cm dilated, born 10am that day

Both hurt! Less tearing with the 2nd but the first had a huge head...

[DramaAlpaca]

My first was 21 hours, second 12 hours, third 5 hours. So each labour was roughly half the length of the previous one, and much easier to cope with.

Episiotomy with the first one, slight tear with second, minor graze with third.

Oh, and the only late one was DC2, the others were a few days early.

[NapQueen]

In my case yes!
Dc1 - contractions started 4am, eventually got to 8pm and needed diamorphene, pethadine, syntocin. Eventually at midnight they asked me to start pushing but by then dd had turned. Ended up in theatre, epidural, forceps delivery at 4am. So 24 hours.

Dc2 - contractions started 6.30am, into hospital, the midwife literally ran from epau to delivery ward with me in a wheelchair. Was 7cm at 10am, ds born 10.20am. So 4h 20 min from start to finish, 20mins in "active labour"

[Myddognearlyatethedeliveryman]

First was 17 hours.
Second, third +forth all less than 3 hours.

[ilovewinterpansies]

24ish hours with both the first and second. Second much easier as I learned to rest and reserve energy for the final stretch. I was also much calmer as I felt confident in my body.

Third v quick - 4 hours from first twinges with a very quick progression once I got to 4 cm (went from 3 to 4cm to 10 in under an hour). Was calm but almost confused in the beginning as contractions were so irregular that DH asked me if I had indigestion.

That did not go down very well!!

[TheVanguardSix]

Yes!
First- 24 hours
Second-5 hours
Third- 8 hours

[Fluffyblanket17]

I’ve had 3 and each one faster, only just made it to hospital with my third, was there 8 minutes and she was born

[Mallowmarshmallow]

First labour 36 hours ending in epidural and ventouse/forceps.

Second labour just missed being born in the car on the way to the birth centre and was actually born in the pool 16 minutes after getting there. I had been in labour for a large part of the day but it was perfectly manageable at home.

I feel very attached to that second birth, it was the most amazing feeling in the world, I would do it again tomorrow if it hadn't resulted in the most strong willed child ever.

[scrivette]

1st 4 hours
2nd 55 minutes
3rd emergency c section but suspect labour would have been slightly longer than 2nd as made it to the hospital without pushing!

[TwitterQueen1]

Yes.
1st was 2.5 days. Horrendous - back to back, everything under the sun, including 3rd degree tears, blah blah blah.

No 2. Had contractions, assumed I had at least 24 hours... wrong! 4 hours from start to finish. No problems, no pain relief (I couldn't take gas and air because of childhood dentist traumas with gas mask...)

No 3. Had to be induced. but again, 4 hour labour. No problems, no pain relief required.

Tea and toast and marmite never tasted so good.

[womblemum]

Oh yes.

Number 1 took ages. Spent over a day labouring at home and then I think it was about 12 hours after being 8cm dilated that they were born.

Number 2. Would have been born in the car if it hadn’t been the middle of the night. Born about 5 mins after getting into the delivery suite. No pushing whatsoever.

[ShowOfHands]

First was 31 hours.

Second was 38 hours.

[PenelopePickle]

1st was 24 hours established labour, 2nd was 4 hours and 3rd was 3.5 hours

[Mumoftwoyoungkids]

Baby 1 - 30 hours when they stopped it with a EMCS.
Baby 2 - 10 hours to vaginal birth.

[RowenasDiadem]

Mine were.
First was 12 hours from start to finish. Second was 6 hours. Third was 3 hours.

I assume that in the event of a fourth child I would be taking about an hour and a half

[BrawneLamia]

First labour took the best part of three days, ended with forceps, quite traumatic.
Second one was born in a birth pool after about 6 hours from first twinge, really good experience, couldn't have been more different.

Most people seem to have a much better experience second time around, unless they have a particular issue eg with the baby's position

[BrawneLamia]

Forgot to say my second was later. I had an episiotomy first time around but didn't tear second time (despite a bigger baby)

[clarrylove]

No. First was quick and easy and on due date. Second was 3 times longer, more painful but a week early.