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?

Long & short - same labour!!!

My waters broke on the Sunday!
In labour 'officially' for 1.5 hours the following Thursday!!!!

Ds1 was born in 2hours 30minutes from the first twinge of backache to delivery. I had a bath when I started feeling backache, went to bed and my waters broke, dh insisted we drove to the hospital 25 minutes away, half way there the need to push became intense, I think I held ds in. Got to the hospital and literally walked in the labour room and delivered ds standing up, no time for examination etc. With ds I was already at the hospital but it was equally quick but slightly more painful as ds2 was bigger.

I think I would avoid planning trips into the country or too far away from my preferred place of delivery and make sure there is someone I can call on at anytime if I was to do it again. Good luck.

DS1 - waters broke, didn't go into labour, induced 24 hours later, 7 hours after induction he arrived.

DD1 - my DMum was on eggshells telling me that second labours are quicker, I didn't believe her. Woke up at 5.30am with what I thought was a stomach upset, noticed cramps were coming and going so decided to go in shower to see if that helped. 6.50am decided to ring labour ward just in case, they told me probably early stages of labour, have two paracetemol, go in bath, "you haven't been going long so you'll be ages yet". Woke up DH, who took one look at me crouched on floor and told me I was going to hospital. One white knuckle car ride later, arrived at labour ward at 8.15am. MW told me to go to triage as would still be early stages, I shouted that I could feel head and needed a delivery room, DD1 born without any pain relief (no time) at 8.43am. Up and about 30 mins later, was brilliant.

I have been told that should we decide to go for DC3, I should consider a HB, and have to go to hospital if I want a hospital delivery as soon as I feel first contraction, as labour likely to be even quicker.

So, things to bear in mind - have all your stuff ready so no last minute panics, and if you don't have a HB go to the hospital and demand an exam, even if MWs are telling you it can't possibly be later stages of labour. Also be prepared that you might not get pain relief that you would like - I was really panicky when they told me I couldn't have an epidural because I had been relying on one.

Was interested to read further up thread about delivery of placenta being difficult after fast labour - I had injection (just about had time) and it was really difficult. They really had to tug it out, much more difficult to deliver than after DS1. DD1 came out more easily than placenta, actually.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on...

My first labour lasted about 15 hrs But in all fairness if i'd known what the fuck i was doin it would probably been a good few hrs sooner no one told me to push like avin a shit!!!!!( i never went to anti natal class an thought i was the dogs nads) but i wasn't!!!!!!! however my 2nd PG i was No probs done this b4 all got ages yet!! 23 mins from arriving @ hospital to actucal birth!!!Talk about getting my eye wiped twice!!!! I asked the MW to give me sum drugs she just laughed an said theres no point the babys hanging out (SHIT MY SELF)

When i got to the hospital we coudn't get into the maternaty ward cos it was almost full i was on my knees in the waiting room it was only that a potential dad came out for a fag and rang his MIL to let him in that i got into the ward otherwise i would have had my DD2 in the waiting room!!!

I had my DD2 @ 26 mins past 3 in the AM and was @ home by 11.00 that morning

All done in 2 hours 40mins - but ripped to shreds so dont wish for it being too quick

I ended up having dd2 on a zebra crossing outside the entrance to the hospital. About half 10 at night on New Years Day with my trousers down by my ankles still holding on to the roof rack of my father-in-law's car. One friend referred to it as a Dickensian street birth!

I had called the labour ward 3 hours earlier when my waters had broken but there were no signs of contractions, they said 'oh right, well come in in the morning if there's still no sign of baby'.

I literally had some mild period type pain, had a bath and a paracetamol then maybe 5 strong contractions while waiting for FIL and that was it, no pushing, she literally fell out of me. Luckily a midwife made it out of the hospital in time to catch her. My poor DH had the fright of his life (along with maybe 10 passerby's).

I'm now pregnant again though only 7 weeks. DD1 was a horrendous 13 hour labour, dd2 under 2 so what do you think that means for dc3? Do I just need to go straight to the hospital first sign of contractions? What do you normally get second time after a fast labour?

Ist labour was 24 hours which was following two days of inducing.

2nd - waters broke at 6 ,got to the hospital about 8 and DD was born at 10.40. Did the last bit in 15 minutes.
It was a lovely birth and no tearing at all.

I was 4 cm dilated for two days prior to going into active labour. Had a sweep as 8 days overdue, and they were surprised I was not having any contractions.

Then 4 hours and 9 mins from first contraction to holding him in my arm.

I shall be having a home birth if possible next time.

next time not sure where that came from!

3 hours for DS1, less than an hour for DS2.
DS1 was 5 weeks early and was in hospital being monitored as the waters had broken a few hours earlier. DS2, again the waters had gone and they'd said come in for a check and book in for an induction in case nothing happens. Was chatting to the midwife and contractions came on quick and strong. I asked if she could check as I though something was happening - turned out be the head!

Anyway - assume you won't make it to hospital, then you'll be prepared. Have everything you might need ready and make sure that anyone who is likely to be with you knows how to deal with a sudden home birth as you won't be able to tell them

Have it written down and pinned up somewhere obvious to be sure.

Best of luck

I had a really quick labour for dc2 (midwives didn't believe me etc etc...). I was so traumatised by the speed and violence of it, and dreaded idea of giving birth in a car/on road/in front of children, that for dc3 and dc4 I had planned inductions. Slowed it down to six hours or so. Was wonderful, mellow, controlled (also got epidural :)). I felt like my body had time to adjust to what it was about to do.

I actually HATED giving birth so fast, even though people said 'lucky you'.

One hour and 20 minutes.

Woke up with labour pains and was in hospital within an hour. Was checked over immediately and labour at 3cm dilated was established. From there to delivery of DD was 1 hour 20 minutes. Ventouse delivery, no time for an epidural and only gas and air. Midwife didn't believe me when I told her that the baby was coming. DD1's birth was the longest hour and 20 minutes of my life, traumatic and agonised. Never again.

DD2 was born, at my insistance, by elective caesarean. That was a calm, happy experience with virtually no pain as it was managed perfectly. I'd recommend an ECS any time. :)

took me 6 hours to get from waters breaking to 5cm, then went from 5cm to baby being born in 30mins! that last half hour was horrendous, was hallucinating and all sorts :(

I can definitely relate as had 4.5 hours active labour with my ds1 resulting in planned homebirth with midwife in attendance for last 2 hours...

Ds2 however was 40 mins and BBA so it was lucky that DH and I were pretty cool headed as flew solo with no medical attention as all happened so quickly.

Advice....not sure really....we.had planned hb and when I called the midwife out they were trying to talk me out of it...my baby was born 35 mins later!

Dd birth was 3 hours from first inclination that something might be happening to holding the baby.

I had a home birth and I think it was the best thing for us.

I personally don't because I had to get an EMCS after 14 bloody hours but my mum has always had relatively fast labours and says although it is more painful she prefers it that way.

Her 1st (me) was just over 6 hours
Her 2nd (DB) was I think 4.5 hours
Her 3rd (my twin sisters) was 2 hours 20 minutes

I know she had gas and air for me but did'nt like it so has never had drugs any other time and she has only had 3 stitches, 2 with me and one with twins!

Like you she warned me that because it happens so fast you don't get a chance to 'get into it' as such and it seeems like a sort of out of body experience in the fact that you can't control anything.

my labour was 7 hours im told thats not 2 bad it def seemed it!!! i had pethedine and gas wen i hear of people doing it with nothing or just gas i rate them so much!!! i screamed the place down! i think a lot of it was fear with me tho -the midwife just kept saying "i know this is scary" which didnt help!!! this time (im 27 weeks at the min)i hope i will be more prepared!lol

Was in hospital overnight ready for induction in the morning. Woke up at 7am with contractions, moved to delivery suite and waters were borken at 10.45 at 3 cm dilated. Birth at 11.30 after 2 pushes and no stiches.

So 45 minutes very painful labour, during which I demanded an epidural, but it was too late - I was so glad I was already in hospital!!!

Officially 1 hr 19mins from start to finish for me. I was in hospital for 11 mins before dd2 arrived.

This is in contrast to dd1 who took over 72 hours.

I knew that the second time around it would be faster, but not quite that quick!

My only advice would be to have everything ready, and I mean everything. Bags by the door etc, and someone who can come at very short notice.

My waters went at 2.30am, at which point dh phoned my parents to come to look after dd1, that half hour wait seemed to go on forever! I was sat in the car waiting for them, got into the hospital at 3.30 (very agonising walk from the car park!) and dd2 born at 3.41am. Very traumatic trip on the mnotorway, with me saying, 'I need to poo or push and I don't know which it is,' and lovely dh turning up the music louder as he didn't know what else to do!! All totally over by 3.49 an home for tea!!

wow!! it helps to know the 2nd time should be quicker -72 hours how did u do it?!:o

DS1. Water broke (hind waters) at 4pm. Arrived at hospital at 5.30pm, 7cm dilated. DS born at 7.45pm.

I hadn't had any real pain/strong contractions before my waters going.

70 hours. If yours was less: I HATE YOU

I have had 4 quick labours so from first twinge to holding baby was
ds1 2 hr 50 mins
ds2 2 hr 20 mins
ds3 1 hr 20 mins
ds4 35 minutes

I am now pg with dd1 and am asking for a planned induction as I live 30 mins away from hospital and have young children at home and dp unlikely to get here in time. The thought of this labour scares me I just hope they agree to induction.