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Original poster

First time mums did you go early on time or late when you went into labour?

38 replies

NewbieToThis · 19/12/2023 18:49

Hi I’m a first time mum and I’m curious to see how everyone’s first labour and birth went. A lot of people say you go late with your first but I’ve a feeling I will go early.

What is labour like the first time? What pain relief did you have? Did it go to plan or not? Thanks

OP posts:
cardibach · 19/12/2023 18:51

So late they had to go in and collect her…
Just induction, not caesarean - and I did actually start natural labour the night before.

TurkeyMalarkey · 19/12/2023 18:53

My first DC was fully engaged at 35 weeks and I could hardly walk I was so beach ball-like Grin. I was convinced I’d go into labour early. Two sweeps and a loooong failed induction later, he was finally born at 42 weeks.

cardibach · 19/12/2023 18:53

Ooo - only half the answers there!
It was over quarter of a century ago, so not sure how useful, but I had pethidine and gas and air. Full general to repair some birth canal tearing. Wasn’t as bad as that sounds. Try not to worry.

Interested in this thread?

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Childbirth Families
Plumful · 19/12/2023 18:53

Early. Did hypnobirthing with the positive birth company and it was great. Maternity tens machine for early labour at home.

Buttercup176 · 19/12/2023 18:53

My first was born two months early!

Michellebops · 19/12/2023 18:54

Waters broke 8 days over, failed to dilate, put onto drip, after 6 hours nothing moving.
25 hours after waters broke I was only 8cm classed as failed to progress and sunroof opened
Not the birth I would have chosen but as long as baby is here safely that's all we can ask

kernowpicklepie · 19/12/2023 18:55

With my first I was 2 days early. Contractions started at 3am and by 10am she was born.

She'd been head down pretty much the whole pregnancy and the final few weeks was in and out of being 4/5 engaged to 1or 2/5 engaged.

ThisIsMyBurner · 19/12/2023 18:55

I was induced a week early but before induction process when examined they saw I was 1cm, so most likely would have been early.

Had the balloon induction and the contractions that came afterwards were intense. Ended up getting an epidural and would 100% recommend it. Did not feel a single thing, just a little bit of pressure from time to time. Would definitely recommend balloon induction too btw

Unfortunately baby got a bit distressed and it ended in an emergency c section after I was put on the drip

Lovelynames123 · 19/12/2023 18:59

Dd1 5 hours from waters breaking to birth at 37.3, gas and air in the pool

Dd2 2 hours, 38.5, pulled out of pool as heart rate dropping, no gas and air😭

kernowpicklepie · 19/12/2023 18:59

Also, completely natural birth. No gas and air or anything, was quite straight forward really. Not like my second!

He was 5 weeks early, Christmas Day born! Barely any movement with dilation in a few hours so ended up on a hormone drip. No pain relief at all but I had a panic attack just before he was born and was demanding an epidural as he shot out. 🤣
Hind waters/lots of blood at 5:30am Christmas morning and he was born at 2:30pm. He ended up being in NICU for 2 weeks

Original poster
NewbieToThis · 19/12/2023 19:06

Thanks for those stories. It’s amazing how everyone has different experiences and time frames with their labour and birth. Glad everyone’s babies were ok and sorry to those whose labours didn’t go to plan. That must have been frustrating.

I want to have a water birth with gas and air. I’m hoping for it to be a quick labour and birth lol I’m going to try and avoid a c section and epidural. If I need hardcore pain relief I’ll get remifentenol instead.

how did you find the midwives during the labours were they helpful? How did your DH/OH help you?

OP posts:
Ohmylovejune · 19/12/2023 19:11

Daughter born 2 days early

(Secind birth - son born 2 weeks late after induction)

Torganer · 19/12/2023 19:13

Went into labour nearly 2wks early. Had an elcs booked for 7 days prior to due date. Didn’t have to wait too long for a slot to come free, had gas and air in the meantime. Had a spinal block for the section, had our playlist on, and the birth was the best experience of my life! Breastfed whilst they did the stitches and had skin to skin for as long as I wanted. I was discharged 12hrs later. No pain (took paracetamol religiously for 2 days), was out walking in the park 2 days after the birth and stopped for a quick half shandy in the pub! I really couldn’t fault the birth at all.

StandByMode · 19/12/2023 19:18

Waters broke spontaneously 6 weeks early, 2 days before we moved in to our new home 🫣

I took everything offered including epidural which wore off just as I had to push and it was too late for a top up.

Stayed in hospital for three days after birth, discharged then readmitted 36 hours later as DC had jaundice.

bettynutkins · 19/12/2023 19:19

38+1

Great birth but veeeeery long. 72 hours all in all, 12 hours of that in hospital before he was born. Absolutely exhausting but straightforward and had him in the pool, which I'd highly recommend.

Beezknees · 19/12/2023 19:20

6 days late. No pain relief other than gas and air. Didn't go to plan, I had to have forceps.

JenniferJupiterVenusandMars · 19/12/2023 19:21

Three weeks early, 1hr 40 minutes beginning to end 😊

scrunchmum · 19/12/2023 19:24

11 days early, quick labour and accidental homebirth
Everyone's experience will be completely different and I think first babies are "late" on average (but remember it's an expected due date, and baby will most likely be born sometime between 37 and 42 weeks even if you don't do anything!)

1967Kitherly · 19/12/2023 19:25

1st born 9 days early about 12 hours of labour natural delivery no pain relief all went fine

2nd born 16 days early and I only mention because I had a water birth and I really liked it! I had gas and air whilst in the pool. Baby was back to back (apparently this is more painful?) It was very peaceful and we had the radio on so that was nice. Was nice just floating around like a giant beach ball in between contractions 😂

Midwives both times were absolutely lovely and both births were at different hospitals.

IME most of labour is just waiting around! I cope really well with pain (I’m a freak) so I didn’t find it excruciating but still painful but bearable

Hatty65 · 19/12/2023 19:28

Mine came the day she was due, and has been an organised 'on time' sort ever since! (32 years old now). Labour was 3.5 hours from first twinge to holding baby. Very easy, just had gas and air. Very lucky.

Laiste · 19/12/2023 19:30

With my first - she was a day late and a very long labour.

She (my eldest) has just had her first 😍and she was a day late but a very short labour 😊

newmama311 · 19/12/2023 19:32

37 weeks exactly had a blood show (bit on a tissue), that evening waters went. 10 hours later she was born, No pain for the first 6 or so hours aside from period pain. Then ramped up at that point. Honestly it's doable you got this good luck

HafNedd123 · 19/12/2023 19:33

On the due date both times Blush

janfebmarchapril · 19/12/2023 19:34

What happened with your mum? My mum was late every time and induced 4 times: my sister was 2 weeks late and was induced. I was induced a week early for medical reasons. It looks as though my family dosent go into natural labour!

pinkfunk · 19/12/2023 19:35

First was 2 days late (spontaneous)
2nd was 13 days early (induced due to small baby)