Fast and early labour -Thinking about number 3

[N1MTB]

Hi,

I rarely post so forgive the slightly long winded attempt...

DH and I have been seriously considering a third baby but I am very worried about a fast labour (somewhere inconvenient on my own) and an early one. I'd appreciate any thoughts! (By the way, I know that a fast one has obvious advantages over a long drawn out one, so I'm not complaining at all...)

One of the main things holding me back is the very scary thought of having my baby very quickly and on my own (or in a bus stop, the office or somewhere equally horrible). I don't think asking for an induction will help either if I have a tendency to have early babies - they couldn't induce me pre-38 weeks I imagine.

DS (who is now nearly 3) was born 2 hours and 40 minutes after I woke up in the middle of the night with "constipation" pains. By the time we got to hospital (UCLH old bit) I was screaming the place down outside the labour ward and was already fully dilated. DS was born 25 minutes later - he was 12 days early but obviously full term and all fine. Second degree tears that still feel slightly uncomfortable now though...

DD (18 months) was born within 1.5 hours of my first teeny tiny twinge (luckily in the morning, when I had a friend staying who could look after DS and I was looking out for signs) at 36 weeks - UCLH new bit. She was fine - small and quite "chesty" but no need for a ventilator or anything like that. Hideous hideous experience though - more painful than the first labour.

Does anybody know if fast (precipitous/precipitate) labours are linked with babies coming early?

Also, I am not really a home birth kind of a girl (my only birth plan with my first was to have an epidural, which obviously didn't happen) but I would consider a home birth if that was safer - especially as I have such a slim chance of getting an epidural! However, I was told by the UCLH midwives that it would probably take them about an hour and a half to get out to me, which isn't much good really! Quicker for me to attempt to get to hospital (normally about a 15-25 minute drive, depending on traffic) or get an ambulance if necessary. Besides, they won't let you have a home birth if you go into labour pre-term (although there might not be a lot of choice about it).

Anyway, can anybody let me know if they've had fast early labours and therefore expected it with a subsequent labour? If so, how did you plan for it or deal with it?!

Thank you very much!

i'm about to have my 3rd labour. don't know whether you can expect more of the same.

any chance you can afford a private mw and have a homebirth?

Ooh, good luck! When are you due?

I know, it might be a 36 hour marathon...!! But I'd like to plan for more of the same as I think there is a good chance it could be like that. Could afford it I think but it would be hard work persuading DH! Also, I looked into it last time and think that it will still take the nearest private mw at least 30 minutes to get to me. But I guess that's a good as it gets!! And I would be seriously surprised if number 3 arrives quicker than that actually. And, a private mw would get round the "no homebirths before 38 weeks issue....". Hmmm....

I should be able to answer you within the next week or two (due 3rd baby on Sunday), I also had very fast deliveries and second baby with no warning whatsoever.

My MW has reassured me that third baby can be unpredictable, in her oppinion often more like the first than the second.

I have worried just like you about having to give birth at home on my own with just my two kids around, it's a scary thought, but driving to hospital in labour I don't think I could do..

Oh wow... Good luck and let me know how you get on! Seems there is a lot more of it (fast labours!) around than I thought!

I'm pg with my 3rd and had a very fast 2nd labour so I worry about it too. My only plan as it stands is to not hang about when it starts. Not much of a plan really is it?!

lol weefriend, that is my plan too.

That was my plan with number 2 as well - and to have friends/family very near by ready to look after number 1 at very short notice! It worked pretty well for number 2 even though she was 4 weeks early...! Good luck weefriend too.

yes i think you have to line up your ducks so that when you get the first twinges you just go for it. doesn't matter if it's a false alarm.

good luck!