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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if second births are always quicker?

66 replies

sausagebest · 09/05/2018 19:51

I'm expecting dc2 soon and absolutely terrified of not making it to the hospital!

Dc1's birth was 3.5 hours from nothing to baby, I also had a severe tear requiring surgery afterwards and a haemorrhage.

I live a 45 minutes away from hospital on a good day and would need to wait for my parents to get here to watch dc1.

It's starting to keep me up at night and I'm so worried I'll end up giving birth at the side of the road and haemorrhaging again.

Thanks

OP posts:
Mousefunky · 09/05/2018 19:55

Not always.

My first was 24 hours from first contraction to his birth. Second was 6 hours. Third was 12 hours. So third went up in time rather than down.

ClownPockets · 09/05/2018 19:57

First time was 6.5 hours from waters breaking to holding baby. Second time was lots and lots of hours as contractions weren't effective. So no, not always.

Winegumaddict · 09/05/2018 19:59

Are you me? DD1 4 hours start to finish ended up in surgery to repair the tear. No heamorrage but we are 45 mins from the hospital and DH worked an hour away. DD2 took 6.5 hours only a minor tear and we left 4 hours later. I hope it's the same for you. I also worried about not making it in time.

Fizzymama · 09/05/2018 19:59

Oh gosh that's quick !! My first was a very very long labour - waters broke Saturday afternoon DC1 born Monday morning!! Second was 14 hours, so quicker but still quite long.

Haberpop · 09/05/2018 20:01

First was 4 hours, second was more like 10 hours.

WombOfOnesOwn · 09/05/2018 20:04

Mine was 55 hours from start to transition the first time and then I had an EMCS. Second was 88 hours from start to transition and a very, very, very quick second stage (90 seconds at the most). The idea that it'd be quicker really got me down when I'd been laboring for 72 hours!

peneleope82 · 09/05/2018 20:04

My first was 2 hours start to finish so I was very worried too! But my second was 3 hours so a little longer.

I was told in no uncertain terms by the hospital that I should if necessary bring my eldest with me to hospital if I felt things were progressing fast and they would have taken care of him.

They also said not to hesitate calling an ambulance if things got real whilst I was still at home/en route to the hospital.

londonfeather · 09/05/2018 20:05

I had a very quick birth and was recommended by the hospital team to book a home birth for my second. That way if it’s very quick you will have a midwife on call but you will also have the option to transfer to hospital if time and situation allows.

10storeylovesong · 09/05/2018 20:06

My first was 20 mins. My second was 7 hours from water breaking to baby arriving.

MachineBee · 09/05/2018 20:09

My first was 3.5 hours and I tore a little, but not as bad as you had. 2nd was 90 mins and I had her on s trolley in the corridor. No stitches required.

If you’re worried, perhaps you could call an ambulance and take DC1 with you, calling your family to meet you at the hospital and collect your DC1 from there.

Yogagirl123 · 09/05/2018 20:09

First 10 hrs, second 2.5 for me, but every birth varies OP. I had a bad tear with DS1, but DS2 was fine. Try not to worry.

redfairy · 09/05/2018 20:10

All my labours got longer! or I got lazy Grin

Pikehau · 09/05/2018 20:10

That’s fast. I was 3cm to born 3hours with dc1 and nothing to born in 1hr 40 with dc2. Dc2 thankfully a bit longer and just over 2. I had a hb with both but I would consider takeing your D.C. to hospital and have parents meet there if you are 45 away.

BlueTrousers · 09/05/2018 20:11

My second was born in the car Grin
Around 45 minutes from first twinge to baby

But my third was my longest labour, so they don’t always get quicker
(First baby 26 hours, third 39 lonnnnnggggggg hours, fourth baby only 2 hours before c section)

Shinygoldbauble · 09/05/2018 20:12

My first was under four hours. Second under two hours, I was whisked straight from the car to delivery and dd was born within a few minutes.

LRL2017 · 09/05/2018 20:13

I worry about this too. My first (and only) labour was 2.5 hours start to finish. Ended up with blood clots being left behind and being very poorly post delivery. I fear what next time will be like

BlueTrousers · 09/05/2018 20:14

Oh I didn’t read your whole post, I haemorrhaged after DD (in the car) luckily my Mum had kept driving and we’d just pulled up in the hospital car park though

If I were you at the first twinge I would get in the car with your baby and ring your parents to meet you at the hospital, don’t wait for them to get to you

NannyKasey · 09/05/2018 20:14

I had both mine in under 4 hours No 2 was slightly quicker and I went home about 5 hours after they were born.
My DM had me in 4 hours and my DB in a hour, luckily this was in the 1960s and although I was born in hospital, my DB as a 2nd baby was born at home as it was either a home birth or 10 days in hospital. My DSiL had DNiece2 (her third) about 10 mins after arriving at the hospital, luckily it was the early hours of the morning or DNiece2 might been delivered by my DB at the side of the road. Grin Wink

mistermagpie · 09/05/2018 20:15

My first was 'precipitous' so very very fast, was 10cm dilated when I got to hospital etc. I was expecting the same the second time but it was about 3 hours so a bit longer.

NannyKasey · 09/05/2018 20:16

*might have been

mowglik · 09/05/2018 20:17

My first was 19 hours from water breaking to birth, second had a longer latent labour stage 4 days of mild are they-aren’t they contractions and then he was out in 1hr20min.

You do hear that second labours tend to be quicker though, make whatever arrangements you can and maybe speak to the midwife and see if there are any options if the need arises

cadburyegg · 09/05/2018 20:17

With my first, my waters broke at 5pm and he was born at 1.25am
With my second, I was induced and my waters broke at 6.30pm, he was born at 7.17pm!

So yes, it was much quicker for me, not sure how much of that was down to being induced though.

SpongeBobGrannyPants · 09/05/2018 20:20

My second birth did progress very very quickly and she was delivered 10 minutes after we arrived at the hospital. Was under an hour from the first (mild!) contraction. We delayed leaving by having to wait for childcare to arrive (was middle of night). I remember hanging on to the stair banister in our hallway needing to push/leave! Based on this and the fact you had a quick first birth, at the earliest sign, get to hospital and let grandparents pick up your little one from there. That's what I would do if I had that time around again. I'm not saying this to scaremonger, I know how worrying it is (currently pregnant with our third!) but if you prepare for it to be very quick at least you can rest a little bit easier knowing you have all bases covered.

Myotherusernameisbest · 09/05/2018 20:20

My 2nd was 7 hours longer than my first. None of mine were 3.5 hours though, that was very quick and I can see why you're worrying. I am not sure what can be suggested really. How far away are your parents? How old is dd1? Could you put dd in the car and go straight to hospital and have your parents pick her up at the hospital as you arrive to save you waiting at home for them?

I hope everything works out and it all goes ok for you.

Frazzled2207 · 09/05/2018 20:21

Mine was but not super fast.
First baby - about 36 hours from first contraction, 24 hours after arriving at hospital
Second baby - about 18 hours from first contraction, 4 hours after arriving at hospital

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