When and how long were your second labours?

[Bumblebeewine]

Starting to get so impatient even though I'm not quite due yet. Just wondering when and how long your second labours were? I've heard horror stories of second labours being 45 minutes long (my hospital is nearly two hours away ) and need to know I'll get there in time!

[GaraMedouar]

Second DC was nearly 2 weeks late, had to be induced , was very reluctant to come out , took hours and hours, I was prepped for a C section but at the last minute he did move! 3rd DC I had at home, on due date exactly, Labour was about 4 hours from pre waters going to giving birth naturally - so a lot quicker but still not super speedy. Good luck

[BrillyPribble]

My second labour was actually my longest, it was still only 4 hours though. A few days overdue, had a lovely home birth which was just amazing.

[Mummyto2munchkins]

2 weeks early and a very unplanned home birth involving first response paramedic delivering baby before the ambulance and midwives got to me.
My 1st was also very quick and only just made it to the hospital in time!

Could you opt for a home birth?

[Bumblebeewine]

Unfortunately a high-risk birth so have to at least try and get to hospital

[Mummyto2munchkins]

That's a shame bumblebee - I was also a high risk birth too! (had a fit after my 1st and problems during pregnancy) was also told I'd need to try get to the hospital too!
I didn't make it, but 2nd was fine and no fit either! Hope all goes well for you and you do manage to get their in time! But incase you don't, every pregnancy/birth is different :) good luck x

[HeyJude81]

DC1 was 1hr 30 mins. DC2 38 mins and DC3 21 mins.

I’ve been very lucky!
Also very lucky I lived near the hospital!

[Bumblebeewine]

@HeyJude81 38 minutes?!!

[lanbro]

2nd was 8 days early, contractions started about 5 mins after water broke, at hospital in birthing pool within half an hour, hoisted out after 5 mins as heart rate dropping, born about 5 mins later...!

[BertieBotts]

A week early and something like 15 hours.

[Roxybaby12]

2nd was 4 days late, 4 hours labour from start to finish.. had a great water bath. Good luck x

[BertieBotts]

You might have a good case for a planned induction, if that's something you would want. There is some evidence showing that it actually reduces risks of labour compared to being overdue if you do it within a certain time frame. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough but it might be OK?

[ChefsFloozie]

First contraction the evening of due date and DS appeared 4 hours later.

[DramaAlpaca]

A few days after my due date and about 12 hours.

[Bumblebeewine]

I was induced first time and if I could be induced without having the drip I would but I think they normally do put the drip in? I really want to avoid the drip this time

[Beckie222]

39 weeks and total labour was 7 minutes 😱

[123bananas]

39+3 also high risk. Started feeling first contractions at around 11am, got to around 4pm and decided time to go in (contractions still irregular), waters broke as soon as I got in the car, contractions went back to back so transferred to ambulance and was 10cm and pushing on arrival 10 minutes later. Then she got stuck and I had a c section, but it was fine.

My brother (2nd baby) was born in under an hour from first contraction, my mum was holding his head in while going up to labour ward in the lift.

[SometimesAlwaysNever]

A week late and 13 hours before they realised DD was footling breech and I had an abrupted placenta. First time round vaginal birth 1 week late and 25 hours.

[Inmyownlittlecorner]

I was induced with both (just 1 pessury) at 42 weeks. DC1 was 4 hours established labour & DC2 28 mins.

[PhoenixBuchanan]

Two hours is quite a long way away for a second birth. Is that your only option?

First was 13 hours from first contraction to delivery. (But I was fully dilated 9 hours in). Second was 1h 45min from first contraction to delivery. That is on the shorter side of things though!

[WhenZogateSuperworm]

First labour was 12 hours from first twinge to baby arriving- 5 hours from arriving at hospital st 5cm dilated.

Second labour was 12 hours of contractions to not progress, a 36 hour gap of nothing in the middle, then 90 minutes from water breaking to baby arriving.

[Topseyt]

DD1 was 17 hours of labour, totally driven by a syntocinon drip. She was three days overdue.

DD2 - I had signs of pre-eclampsia so was in hospital already. Labour was 2.5 hours from start to finish.

DD3 was an emergency c-section at 35 weeks after the waters had gone prematurely and she became distressed. I was in hospital for about a week, from a couple of days before the section to three or four days afterwards.

So all as alike as chalk and cheese.

[RCC18]

I was induced just before 42 weeks with my first. 2 pessaries and the drip plus multiple attempts to break my waters. She arrived 39 hours after the first pessary went in - seeming in no rush to be born!

I am now 38+5 with number two and feeling so impatient. Wondering if I'll end up being induced again and so interested in how peoples 2nd labour went to try and get some idea for mine...all just a guessing game!

[PennyMordauntsLadyBrain]

Just as balance that not all second labours are v v v quick- my waters broke with dc2 at 39+5, contractions started a few hours later, but he wasn’t born until the following evening, 30 hours after my membranes ruptured.

It’s so unpredictable.

[SequinsDress]

12:30am waters broke and baby born 06:20am - this was at 39+6.

Nice labour - quick but not so quick that it was traumatic!

[Lizbiz89]

DD - 39+4 12 hrs of active labour to baby

DS - 40+3 1h 56 minutes active labour to baby. Nearly had him at my mums as didn't think he would arrive so quick!