1st labour constant contractions - what was 2nd labour like?

[thistlemuncher]

I'm told that my first labour was fast, first contraction (and sign of anything happening) was at 530 and baby was here at 1007. From the time my waters went (710) the contractions were constant (if I remember correctly I was 4cm then). No pause in between at all until the pushing stage - that was a relief!

I was talking to the midwife who gives the yoga course I'm doing as she was saying "this is a good position to use in between contractions" etc and I asked what she suggests when you're at the stage that there are no pauses. She looked at me as if I was crazy and when I said that I didn't have any pauses between contractions she said it's really rare, only 1% of women labour like that. I just assumed it was normal and was furious at the midwife who gave the antenatal classes for not telling the truth about labour and wasting time with all the relaxation ideas for the pauses between contractions!

I've also been told by the doctor that my second labour is likely to be faster than my first, so do I assume that I will once again have constant contractions and warn DH he might be delivering on the bathroom floor?

Basically, did anyone else have this and what was your second labour like?

My third labour was like you had with your first after my waters broke - None of my other three were like that so it may not happen again.

My second wasn't much quicker than my first but it was alot easier painwise. With my first I had every pain relief on offer, with my second I stayed home until I needed pain relief and got to the hospital at 8cm and had a bit of g&a for the pushing, so much much easier.

My 1st was very fast as well, less than 4 hours from first contraction to DS1 being born. When it really kicked in, also around 4 cms the contractions were coming thick and fast...I also had double-contractions which the midwife told me few women have and means that you dilate very quickly.

My second labour was extremely quick, I had 4 contractions in the space of an hour but very random, I started getting ready at this point, then it just kicked off and I was contracting constantly (with small gaps in between like 30 seconds)....by the time I got to hospital (5 min drive) I was fully dilated and DS2 born within 50 minutes. Its all a complete blur.

So, yes, I think you will have a very quick second....please don't wait at home, just head straight to the hospital (thats if you're not having a home birth). After my DS2 was born, I had contractions afterwards - apparently the body went into shock because it was soo quick and couldn't keep up!?!

HTH

I had a fast first labour and my second was longer.

Anyway, I would discuss it with your MWs but in my case we decided it was best to prepare for a homebirth as it would be safer to have a planned delivery at home than an unplanned one.

My main difference with my second was that I had a 'silent' early labour with my first - I was having contraction but I couldn't feel them. This wasn't the case with my second, so I was aware of having contractions (they were very mild but regular and I couldn't sleep through them) for more than a day before DS was born.

Thanks for the replies, good to hear that the pain is more manageable for a second! I'm not planning on a home birth, but have warned DH to be prepared! At the moment I'm going to tell him that as soon as I have contractions he's to call the hospital, he's to sort out DS and then we're going in. Must talk to him about it tonight!

I can't for the life of me decide whether another fast and furious one is preferable to a bit more sedate...

My first labour was like that for the final few hours - no gap between contractions, just wave upon wave of pain. I was quite miffed that the NCT classes had explicitly said there would always be gaps between. DC2 is due in September, so I'm hoping to doesn't happen again, but hopefully it will be quicker this time and so easier to bear.

I had constant contractions too (which was hard for DH, who was trying to time them) - and a very fast first labour which culminated in a crash section due to DD's distress. So I am interested to see what the tales of second labours are like!

I was told by the consultant in the hospital that, if there is a next time, I should not wait at all once labour starts and go straight to hospital and also make medical staff aware that I labour quickly.

Must say, I was met with a lot of raised eyebrows and sneers when I turned up at the labour ward for the second time in one evening - one bitch midwife even tutted at me and said, 'what are you doing back here, weren't you here earlier?' (I had gone in at 8.30pm ish when my waters broke - which they categorically told me hadn't happened, but later had to admit it had and left not remotely contracting or in labour - then was back at about 1.45am 9cm dilated). I really hope they deal with it better second time around (assuming there is a second time) - would be tempted to switch to another hospital, but am put off by the increased journey time to the alternatives .

My first sign of anything was 4pm, and DD was born at 8:33pm. got to the hospital at about 6:30ish 5cm, constant contractions, then got to birthing room, and then i wanted to push right away, My waters didnt break until DDs head was coming out which could have made things less intense. but i only pushed for 20mins i think, if that.

I am also wondering this as I DP isnt due back until the day before the EDD, and just hoping i dont go into intense fast labour when he sets foot in the door :o !