Anyone here have experience of a fast labour?

[doubleshotlatte]

Did you have 3-4 hours, or less, of active labour?

I didn't realise my last labour was considered "fast" until Midwife at first booking appointment told me. So it took 4 hours or slightly less from being 2cm then feeling the urge to push, pushing actively and DD being born. This after 2 days painful contractions and no sleep. I did feel traumatised by the birth, upset at not having had any pain relief (entonox didn't work). Only when I understand that it was a "relatively fast labour" does it all make sense. Now due in a few weeks knowing its going to be even shorter am trying to plan and prepare better this time...

So, if you knew you'll have a fast labour in advance, what would you do differently? Or did do, in subsequent births?

[neolara]

DC1 was 4 1/2 hours from first twinge to arrival.
DC2 was 4 hours in a planned homebirth.
DC3 was 30 mins and was an unattended home birth.

Because my first labour was relatively quick, we planned homebirths for all subsequent births. I got the midwife to show my dh and me what to do in case we had to deliver the baby without medical backup, including how to get a baby breathing. And by the last one, I also pretty much stayed in the house for the last month, just in case.... Which was just as well really, given how quick it turned out to be. I have a friend who helped deliver a baby in one of the local parks. She's not a medic, just a passer by, but the woman gave birth very quickly. I REALLY didn't want that to happen to me.

[taffetasplat]

First was forever - from waters breaking about 2 and a half days
Second got the first contraction at 0005, inlaws arrived to look after DS at 0040, got to hospital at 0110, had DD at 0114. Just got my pants off

Had her standing up, no pain relief.

It took me a very, very long time to stop thinking about it afterwards. About 6 months before I wasn't processing it in my head every day. This is incredibly unlike me, I never reflect, but apparently part of the process of dealing with shock.

What would I do differently? Not sit over the loo trying to do a "poo" whilst we waited for the inlaws, I mean, ffs, I'd had one, you'd think I'd know it was a baby trying to come out, not a poo

I would have a quick labour over a long protracted one, though, having had both.

[goingroundthebend4]

ds1 8 hrs 8lb 3
ds 2 63 mins exact from oh to ohhhhhhhh and he was 10lb 2 oz and no stiches he did catch everyone unaware

Dd well crash section at 35 weeks so not counting
ds 3 emergency section

[TallulahDoesTheHula]

DS1 was induced - was 12 hrs from start to finish

DS2 was 4 hrs from first twinge to delivery BUT I got to hospital after 2 hrs and was fully dilated ready to push so could have been much quicker if the lovely MW hadnt taken pity on me and given me the epidural I was asking for as 'it would slow things down hopefully enough for your DH to make it'
DH literally did make it through the door as DS2 was born.
So although my labour was 4 hours it probably would have been 2.5hrs ish without the epidural

I'm expecting DC3 and am a bit nervous about this one!

What sort of things do you need to have in preparation just in case you have an unexpected home birth?

[N1MTB]

Hi doubleshotlatte

DC1 - (38w+1 day) 2 hours 36 mins from waking up with "constipation pains" (bad ones, mind you). Waters broke at home, screamed all the way to hospital and was fully dilated when arrived. Pushing bit took 25 mins.

DC2 - (36w exactly) 1 hour 20 mins from first twinge (morning this time). Went to hospital straight away as luckily had a friend staying who could look after DC1. Much more painful than 1st labour until I had my waters broken (and then it was still bad but not so horrific) and DC2 distressed so had about 11 people in the room (including paed as technically "prem"). Pushing bit faster - not sure how long.

I did try to set up for a homebirth, even though I really didn't want one, to try to avoid having a homebirth without any equipment/midwives... However, as DC2 was 4 weeks early, I wasn't able to even pick up the equipment and you aren't "allowed" homebirths under 37 weeks. Besides, our midwives said it would take longer for them to get to us than for us to get to hospital...

My only birth plan with DC1 was to have an epidural. I was never really that keen on pursuing the no-drugs route but ended up that way - wasn't even allowed the gas and air for DC2 as she was distressed and they wanted me to "focus" on pushing her out. Cheeky g*ts - as if a bit of gas and air would stop me knowing when to push and pushing so hard.

The only advice I can give is to make sure you have (v close) neighbours on standby to look after DC1 at all times from about 35 weeks (!) or to have family/friends staying. Ridiculous but that would help... But, in the worst case scenario, you can call an ambulance and take DC1 with you until somebody can collect them.

Am actually factoring in my fear of an even quicker birth into whether or not to go for DC3!

[javotte]

Waters broke at 11:30 PM.
Painful contractions started at 1:00AM.
Arrived at the hospital at 1:30.
DD was born at 1:43!

[leothelioness]

My DS2 was a ultra fast labour. I was 3 days overdue and the doctor had said I was 3 cm dialated 2 weeks before he was due and to call an ambulance if I went in to labour as this would be fast I was . This was abroad not NHS. I went in to hospital 3 days over due to stay the night and be induced the next day. They gave me some herbal stuff to drink as it apparently sometimes kickstarts labour.
I was monitored at 10pm and have no contractions so was snet to bed in the maternity unit. woke up around 1 abit uncomfortable (thought this will go on a while and went back to sleep) woke up about 2.45 and had bad pains and strong contractions walked to the delivery suite to find a midwife and she said she wanted to monitor the contractions I said no as I could not lie still for 10 minutes. she gave me and said she would examine me to see how dialated I was. DS2 was born at 3.20 20 minutes after I entered the delivery suit.

If I had been at home he would have been born either at home or in the car for sure!

[Bramshott]

DD1 was 2hrs 15 but I put that down to her being early (33 weeks).

DD2 was 1hr 45 and born in the car .

If I had another (which I am not), no way would I be leaving home!

[Trillian42]

DD was 5 hours from 1st twinge to delivery, and that was with an epidural, so I imagine it'd have been quicker otherwise. She came out in 3 pushes! Push 1, Push 2 head out, Push 3 rest of body :)

The initial pains at home were so mild that I wouldn't have gone in had they not lasted a minute and been every 4-5 mins. By the time we arrived at the hospital they were less than every 2 mins, and the pain level went up by a factor of a million shortly afterwards (hence the unplanned epidural).

Have also been advised to be prepared if we have another one!

[juuule]

My fastest was no6 - 1 and half hours from first twinge (not a twinge - a double up and can't breathe spasm really).

First pain was around 2am (on the way back from a loo visit). At about just past 3 we set off for hospital. Arrived at the hospital with strong urges to push. Baby born just before 3:30am. Very exciting and also had a quick recovery. Also, felt very pleased with myself as I was due in for induction that morning at 8:30am due to being 10days late:o

The next 3 weren't as quick. The 9th was induced at t+14.

Good luck and try not to worry too much if you can.

[tiggerandpoohtoo]

I had a labour that was 23 minutes from start to finish.
The first time, i had the same but DD got stuck so had to have ventouse. The second time, was no problem.
I have no conractions, the first time i know about it it when i need to push. Great in terms of pain but hard to know when to go to hospital. The first time i was at the hospital because of protein in urine so luckily we were already there.
2nd time we were in ASDA around the corner from the hospital and just made it to the door of the maternity ward before she arrived.

[ouryve]

Um, fast isn't the word for it. Woke up with very irregular contractions, not at all painful. Had a bath and some breakfast. Went to the loo because I really needed a poo (oh yes:o). Out popped DS2 at 10:30!

It was another 5 hours before the placenta was removed surgically, though.

[CappuccinoCarrie]

OP my first sounds similar to yours, and my second was reduced to 10 hours of pre-labour, then only 1.5 hours from "you're 4cm and officially in labour" to holding baby. They tried to send me home at 3cm but they read my notes from the first time and let me stay in which is a very good thing as it turns out! So I still had plenty of warning with the pre-labour, and actually went into hospital too early - but I maintain my labour doesn't get going til I'm in the place where I feel safe and know I'm going to deliver. Am expecting DC3 so we'll see if that theory holds true!

[lucysmum]

DD2 was 3 hours start to finish. With DD3 I went to hospital as soon as contractions started - and she ended up being 5 hours - so you never know what is going to happen !

[boyscomingoutofmyears]

1st, 3 hours, and an induced labour, so was very lucky.
2nd, 1 hour 40 minutes, was 10cm on arrival at hospital and pushed him out 5 mins later.
3rd 1 hour, induced again.

I don't think there is much you can do to plan for it other than get to hospital asap and don't expect an epidural as it's usually too late (as was case with DC1,).

[MooMooFarm]

First - 6 hours total
Second - 45 mins total
Third - 1 hr 30 mins total

I wanted to have no.3 at home after such a quick birth with no.2, but wasn't allowed to due to other underlying medical problems.

All I did was make sure we got to the hospital as soon as I had a twinge with no.3 - no 'is it happening or isn't it' for me! DH drove me slightly mad in the last few weeks by asking me if anything was happening everytime I sighed or breathed heavily, but then I suppose I can't blame him!

BTW I consider myself v lucky to have had such quick births. The thought of contractions going on for days (or hours) is hideous and anybody going through that has my sympathy.

[halfcaff]

After an averagely long first labour, I couldn't believe the speed and intensity with number two and I was so glad I was able to get into the pool for my planned home birth, midwives arrived in time, and dh got home from work 45 minutes before ds arrived! It can be quite scary as the contractions are so intense and close together and at the time you don't know it's going to be over that fast. My first words when he was born were "Wow, that was hard work....but easier than the first time!"

[lou33]

i have had 4 children, the labour was quicker each time

the longest was 2 hrs 20 mins from start to finish and the quickest was 22 mins

no chance for pain relief

they were also all early

[Vanillacandle]

I wish!
DC1 - 28 hours and forceps
DC2 - 32 hours then emergency section

[BoattoBolivia]

1st: 3 1/2 weeks early, gone to Manchester for fill wedding, dh best man. Woke up sat am with small spotting, no contractions or waters, had breakfast, and decided to pop to local hops to get it checked before the day got going. They wouldn't let me out again, monitored me ALL day, NOTHING happened, kept saying "oh, you'll be having this one in Surrey in 3 weeks time, we just want to keep an eye on you."
Took me to a ward for the night as they didn't want me in a hotel, but still nothing happening. Told dh at 7.30 to go and see his Dad as he had missed the whole do, suddenly had huge contraction, I was 6 cm dilated, by the time I got back to languor ward I was ready to push, dd born at 8.45 pm!!!! Felt very, very shocked afterwards and it took me4 days to agree to leave hospital, but we did have to drive straight back down to surrey.
2 nd: 3 weeks early; waters actually broke at 4 am, went straight to local hops, and they accepted me happily when I told them how fast dd had been. Very, very mild contractions, but head not engaged at all. They finally injected me to induce at about midday as they were worried that he would turn round. After about another half hour, contractions started properly; I was standing and suddenly wanted to push. Midwife didn't really understand the urgency, luckily I did and was back on the bed, 1 push and he flew out!! Mw only one glove on! Dh said it was very very fast.
No pain relief for either- no time!

My advice: keep telling them about 1 st labour and trust your instincts!

[Kendodd]

DD2 47 minutes

Do I win?

[BoattoBolivia]

I'm with moommoo at the though of contractions lasting days, but really did feel in shock I think first time.

Seems to be a trend in our family: one sister was so fast with dd that neither her midwife or ambulance go to her, and neighbour had to deliver. Other made it to hospital with10 mins to spare before ds was born!!

[kittywise]

I can't remember the details of all of them. I do know though that number 5 went from 3-10 cm in 30 mins and she was out after 2 mins pushing. I was shaking afterwards.