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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask you to share your positive third birth stories?

39 replies

BoneWithTheWind · 07/03/2022 19:08

Hi, posting here for traffic, hope you don't mind :-)

I'm currently 36 weeks into my third pregnancy and feeling more anxious about childbirth than both times before... Both previous deliveries were relatively uncomplicated and quick (especially the second one), so I guess I'm thinking that statistically it's more likely something will go wrong this time...

How did it go for you? In comparison to your previous two? And if you want to add in any tips for combatting anxiety at this stage, that'd be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks xx

OP posts:
urrrgh46 · 07/03/2022 19:13

Well my 3rd was by far my best and I've had 9!
1st was an emcs
2nd was vbac forceps
Went into 3rd joking I'd have a ventouse but in reality it went like this
3 days overdue I was bathing the elder 2 (ages 1 & 2) and I felt really uncomfortable. DH was still on his commute home. Put them to bed and decided to have a bath as just felt uncomfortable - rang DH in his car to say I felt uncomfortable.
DH got in..took one look at me and said "you're in labour" to which I angrily told him I wasn't! Half and hour later decided to ring labour ward and ask if I could go down and be examined as I thought I might be in labour but wasn't sure (no contractions just pressure). They weren't impressed but agreed. Got to hospital at 8pm 5 cms dilated. Delivered at 9:13pm after 3 pushes.

Moonflower12 · 07/03/2022 19:14

For my 3rd I was induced a month early. I was given a sweep and he was here 1hout and 7 minutes later. All good, quick and easy. I had 2 reasonable previous births.

Don't worry- just think it'll be as easy if not easier than the previous 2 !

RedHelenB · 07/03/2022 19:32

Easiest of the lot, natural birth no pain relief.

LazyDoll · 07/03/2022 19:38

Easiest of the three. I delivered the head at home in pool. Midwife delivered the rest…when she got the shout from my H to come in from the next room. Relax and good luck. Your body knows what to do.

Perhapser · 07/03/2022 19:38

Another easiest of the lot here too. Water birth of a 10 pounder. Not quite so good on a trampoline any more though.

LoganberryJam · 07/03/2022 19:40

My third birth was very similar to my second birth. Both quick (3.5 hours from the first contraction), not many drugs (a bit of gas and air) and no complications. Good luck OP!

TheVolturi · 07/03/2022 19:43

My third was easy. I remember being quite desperate to get her out though, I'd got in the pool and waters broke with meconium. So had to waddle down the corridor from birthing centre to the maternity suite and then they started faffing about putting a trace thing on me, I literally wanted to push baby out and it was really annoyed they were stalling me, finally jumped up on the bed, all fours, one big push and baby came flying out on the bed and the rest of my waters gushing on top of her, I don't know who was more shocked me or her 😂. Easy peasy though, no pain relief and home few hrs later.
You'll be fine op.

Onlyforcake · 07/03/2022 19:47

Third birth was third straight forward birth. I was more anxious as I'd had losses before, but it went fairly well, home promptly all good.

Best wishes.

Seasidemumma77 · 07/03/2022 19:50

Third birth was by far my best.

HarrietSchulenberg · 07/03/2022 19:51

First was quite long and difficult, in hospital with an epidural and forceps and came out at an uncomfortable angle (sort of sideways from what I remember).

Second was in hospital but arrived too quickly to get to labour suite so was born on antenatal ward (nurses gave the other occupants the option to leave. Said they've never seen 4 pregnant women move so fast). Too quick for even gas and air, he literally shot out, was very nearly born in the corridor on the way in.

Third was elective home birth with two very supportive midwives. He was by far the best and easiest birth but I kind of knew what I was doing by then.

Had stitches after all three, though.

LightSpeeds · 07/03/2022 19:56

My third was so easy I was embarrassed! About 3 hours long, not very painful, no pain relief, contractions quite far apart even at the pushing stage. Easy peasy lovely.

My biggest baby too 😃

MrsMingech · 07/03/2022 19:57

My 3rd was the easiest.

And my first two were incredibly uncomplicated normal deliveries from which I recovered well.

I've been really lucky to be honest.

dollymuchymuchness · 07/03/2022 19:57

My third was a big baby 9lbs 1oz, but I had him without any drugs, not even gas and air. With my first two I had pethidine, which made me really sick. I had him at 11am and by 12 I was eating fish and chips. There was a tour of expectant parents and they came in to see someone who had just given birth stuffing down fish and chips.

Anyway, it was a breeze, I loved it.

SnoozeAllDay · 07/03/2022 20:00

1st:
(One day early) 4 hour labour and home 4 hours later

2nd:
(12 days late) enduced via having my waters broken. 4 hour labour and home early next morning.

3rd:
(1 day late) 2 hour labour, gave birth and was back home 2 hours later.

You’ll defo pop it out quick and easy.

mintbiscuit · 07/03/2022 20:04

3rd was the most text book labour. Defo the one I felt most in control.

You’re over thinking it.

VVKills27 · 07/03/2022 20:10

My 3rd birth was the one I had always hoped for. My 1st was horridly long and drawn out, my 2nd was much faster & even more painful and despite a couple of false starts with number 3, when it happened it was a few hours long and I felt totally in control and calm. I managed to use hypnobirth breathing & finally got into a birthing pool which I never managed with the others as my labours tend to go from barely dilated for ages to suddenly full dilated. I had one of my favourite bands playing in the background and the midwife was wonderful. Having baby 3 was the birth I’d always dreamed of and I look back on it fondly. I really hope you have a positive experience too.

Notdoingthis · 07/03/2022 20:11

Sorry I can't. Third was the worst.

Pennox · 07/03/2022 20:15

1st = car crash
2nd = quick and easy but incredibly painful
3rd = medium time, medium drama BUT - very little pain!

your body really knows what it is doing third time around.

Outfoxedbyrabbits · 07/03/2022 20:15

I guess I'm thinking that statistically it's more likely something will go wrong this time...

Kindly, this is not at all how statistics work. In fact, it's completely the opposite - if you've already had two uncomplicated deliveries then you're more likely to have another like that Smile

mathanxiety · 07/03/2022 20:25

1st, 8 days late, long labour, epidural.
2nd, 7 days late, induced, ventouse, 8 hours start to finish.
3rd, 10 days late, 3 hours start to finish, nearly born in the car on the way to the hospital.

Rovinonmars · 07/03/2022 20:29

My third was the best too! I knew what to expect so was really relaxed (after panicking about it for most of my pregnancy, I did not want to give birth again). It was quick and I was in and out of hospital within 6 hours. My eldest two didn't even know I'd gone as they were asleep.

I hope everything goes well with your delivery, the odds are very much in your favour. Be sure to trust your instincts if you think it's going to be a quick one!

Original poster
BoneWithTheWind · 07/03/2022 20:29

Thank you all, that's really reassuring. Except for @Notdoingthis - sorry to hear that. Also, @Onlyforcake - really sorry for your previous losses, glad it went OK for you. And wow, @urrrgh46 - 9 children! You're a trouper..

Yeah, I probably am overthinking it to be honest. Just feel so anxious about it but hopefully as you all say, my body does remember and knows what to do. Thank you all for sharing xx

OP posts:
SagaNorenLansrimMalmo · 07/03/2022 20:32

Dc1 - Labour 7 hours start to finish, no complications
dc2 - 7 hours again, nearly a pound heavier, tear and a haemorrhage, but fine really
DC3 - 2 hours?! Got to 6cm without realising it - discovered because I’d gone for a sweep as I was overdue…no complications, easy recovery

Momijin · 07/03/2022 20:34

Like shelling peas. So so easy that I regreted it was my last (4th kid but 3rd vaginal birth)

CarbonelCat · 07/03/2022 20:37

3rd birth was brilliant! Honestly brilliant. Loved it. I felt proficient,.calm and in control and the high afterwards was amazing!