What makes 2nd labours (usually) quicker?

[muffins]

Hi everyone.

With DS waters broke at about 10pm, went into hospital about 11/11.30pm and was examined. Midwife couldn't even see cervix. Started having mild contractions so they gave me paracetamol and sent me home, this was now just after midnight. After about an hour or so at home, maybe bit longer went back in as was struggling with pain, had stayed upright whole time. When got to hospital was 7cm :-O DS was eventually born at 04.22 by EMCS due to distress and ? Low pelvic brim. I had already reached fully dilated and pushing before this point.

So I was wondering what makes a labour usually quicker. Is it that your cervix has previously dilated fully (no probs there!) or is it because the baby has actually passed down the birth canal and been
birthed vaginally?

Also does anyone have experience of a low pelvic brim? Am hoping for a VBAC so any suggestions on positions which are good to limit this being a problem gratefully received!

Thanks in advance!

I can't help my first was a very quick VB, and my 2nd was EMCS because of brow presentation, same as you fully dilated and pushing for 3.5 hours before this was realised.

My first was born in 2 hours 5 minutes start to finish, and I arrived pushing with my 2nd.

I am also hoping for a VBAC. Hope all goes well and someone comes along with some advice that is more useful.

Both. Dilation is normally quicker in a 2nd labour as its done it once before. Pushing is normally shorter time period as again its been done before (though not in your case). So while you may labour like its your 2nd baby when it comes to pushing you'll probably be more like its your first baby. So expect to push for an hour rather than 10 mins.

As a midwife I've looked after women with very low pubic arches (noticebly low on examination) who have given birth with no problem even though I'd have thought they wouldn't have been able to. So it is possible and because it didn't happen last time doesn't mean it won't this time. Baby's position I think is just as important as the pelvis. Its possible that last time your Ds wasn't quite in the optimum position.

Avoid pushing flat on your back or semi-recumbent. You need to give your pelvis the best chance of opening to maximum - so standing, kneeling, squatting, or even lying on your side if you're tired would all be better.

Good luck.

Ooh wow thanks!

The thought of giving birth standing up scares me slightly, kneeling I reckon I can cope with, that's how I was most comfy when I was in labour with DS. It was only when I got to hospital that they lumped me up onto the bed.

Are you allowed a water birth with a VBAC? Do they have devices which do continuous monitoring underwater?

My local hospital don't allow waterbirths for VBAC as they don't have the correct equipment, however there is another hospital a wee bit too far for me, that does as they have underwater monitors.
Ask you midwife you might be lucky and have a modern hospital

Also I think in your first labour you often feel the very early contractions more, so from a subjective perspective you feel like you've been in labour for days, whilst in later births you might not actually feel the first 12 hours of contractions that take you up to 3 cm.

Well it's a brand new consultant unit but I won't hold my breath!
That would be great if they did though-reckon I could even brave squatting then! Don't think my knees can take the weight of my fat ass on dry land!