Are 3rd labours really worse?

[Littleraysofsunshine]

A horrible 3rd labour after 2brilliant ones?

[TomsBentPinky]

Of course not.

Everyone will experience different thing. Nothing is ever 'always' the case.

My 3rd was same as my others except maybe a bit harder in pushing but thats because of me ... i refused to have my pool up and lay flat on the couch and wouldn't move

Whatever anyone posts on here is irrelevent ... you won't know what your labour will be like till its over. and then you wont give a damn as you will have s gorgeous tiny new baby to cuddle!

Good luck !

[crazygracieuk]

My first 2 labours were 6 hours ish and no complications.
My third one was 30 minutes from first contraction to holding the baby.

[crazygracieuk]

3rd one was no complications too.

[McKayz]

My 3rd was brilliant. 3 hour labour, about 10 minutes pushing and a really lovely home water birth.

First 2 births were really good too.

I had heard about 3rd births being awful too but it wasn't the case with me.

[AngryBeaver]

My third was certainly the most painful, but also the largest thus far, so maybe that was why.
Whatever happens you'll get through it, just have a good old toke on that G&A and think of your new little dream. All the best

[WinkyWinkola]

My 3rd was fine. Four hours start to finish.

What is definitely worse - the after pains. I was in misery and had to take pain killers. They get worse after each labour until about your 6th child, my midwife told me. After dc4, the pains were bad again. Mind you, my labour with him was tough.

[MikeLitoris]

I loved my 3rd.

Water birth, delivered baby myself and all over in 5 hours.

[InherentlyCantankerous]

My 3rd was great, she was born in a pool in hospital, 8 hours from established labour to birth.

I was prepared for horrendous after pains, they were awful after my 2nd and I expected worse but I barely noticed them!

[LucyLastik]

First was ok, second was horrific, third was a dream - 1 hour 40 mins from start to finish.

[BreeVanDerTramp]

Same as crazygracie two six hour labours, third 20 mins born in the middle of observation ward, midwife who had said I was 5cm 5 mins previously was a bit

[Littleraysofsunshine]

I'm not expecting %233 yet. But would like to be next year. Have dd1 (2y) and dd2 (5m)...

I had 4 hour labour with dd1, brilliant labour, and dd2 was 1 hour from start to cradling her! To the exact minute! Little did I know she was back to back face up but I actually loved her labour more!

After pains weren't as bad as I was told to expect.. Jut wondering for the next labour!

Can I really be lucky a third time!

All I hope is that I don't run out of time and give birth on the way to hospital.. Could hope for a home birth but for some reason I don't feel as relaxed at the thought of home birth in case something goes wrong?

[sweetkitty]

My 3rd was 45mins from waters going to baby, homebirth as well. Literally didn't even push her out, she was expelled in 2 pushes, no tears.

After pains were well a pain but lovely MWs ran me a bath and have me cocodamol (had a stock just in case).

[pinkpeony4]

My 3rd birth was brilliant. 2 hours from first twinge to giving birth, no stitches and home within 6 hours. My first was 16 hours and fine and 2nd was 5 hours start to finish and also a great experience with only gas and air and no stitches. I am pregnant with dc4 now and hoping for a similar experience!

Afterpains were slightly worse but very manageable and didn't last for long.

[Hennycluckington]

Oh carry on with your quick 3rd time birth stories they are very reassuring for me, 3DC due 1st Feb.

[willitbe]

1st - very long and tiring labour, needed epidural and 2nd degree tear,
2nd - 2.5 hour labour, gas and air only but 2nd degree tear along same place.
3rd - did not realise I was in labour for first half hour, born less than an hour later at home as it was too quick to transfer to hospital (hospital an hour away). No pain relief, but so quick it was easy (once I got over the little transition panic at not being in hospital). Lovely to have an unplanned homebirth.

Afterpains less than with second pregnancy, which I did not expect.

I think that every pregnancy is different and every labour is different, so cannot predict, although most midwifes talk about the third labours being the most unpredictable!

[tanteclaire]

Another easy 3rd for me. Pretty much the same as 2nd, about 2h15 from first contraction except I was more clued up and was at hospital with plenty of time (1hr 30 to delivery).
I fretted about this beforehand and needn't have - if you are blessed with fast and straightforward deliveries, in my experience, 3rd was be no different.
good luck!

[Dillydollydaydream]

My 3rd was ridiculously quick and easy, emergency homebirth delivered by a paramedic.

[LynetteScavo]

No, mine was lovely. Didn't even need the gas and air. (And that's after screaming for an epidural with the first two).

[Mummyof3tobe]

Oh this is all very reassuring! Bring it on I say.....(35 weeks and uncomfortable)

[Gumps]

3rd was three times the length of the first two but got the epidural I always wanted so pretty much pain free!

[StaceymReadyForNumber3]

This is great reassurance due dc3 in 5 weeks.

Dc1 was 10 hours (from admission to hosp)
Dc2 was 3 hours (from admission)

Hoping I make it to the hospital this time :)

[MyLastDuchess]

My sister has had 3 quick & easy labours. No 1 was nothing, No 2 was slightly more 'normal', and No 3 was a doddle. Sheeven SMSed me during it FFS, to let me know that the baby would be there soon.

[NAR4]

Mt 3rd labour and birth was the easiest by far. I would have swapped in for any of my other labours and births.

[wigglesrock]

No 3 was fine, no worse than the others and better than the first My first two children were born well after their due date, dd3 came a day early which was a lovely surprise.

[FrequentFlyerRandomDent]

3rd was fine. Natural, no tear, etc.

Dilated much faster than previous deliveries, so do go to hospital sooner than later. The body goes in automatic mode somehow.

Each delivery is unique. Do not listen to anyone who offers general comments such as "3rds are worse".

It sounds like a quote from Ender's game. A scifi book in which couples where not allowed a 3rdnchild and if third happenened, the child was heavily bullied, etc. Needless to say, Earth is saved by a 3rd born in the book.

Good luck x