What should I expect for my second birth?

[schroedingersdodo]

I know it's impossible to predict, but would like to hear the opinions of more experienced ladies.

I've had DS, my first, two years ago, I've had a sweep at 40 weeks (on my due date), mw told me I was already 2-3 dilated.

The next day, at 9pm I started feeling contractions and knew I was in labour. A few hours later, when they started to come regularly (3 contractions in 10 minutes, lasting over a minute each time) I went to hospital. Got there at 2am, with 2 or 3cm dilation. DS was born at 9am.

I've had no epidural, just gas and air, although I panicked and begged for one.

So, it was 12 hours from the very start to finish, 7 hours of established labour in hospital. I was wondering what should I expect this second time (hopefully, I will be calmer and more in control, and not scared like in DS's birth). This time, of course, I have to worry about childcare for DS, so things have to be more carefully planned.

Should I worry about popping up DC2 in a flash birth on the way to hospital, or should I simply expect a slightly faster birth? (after reading a couple of stories of super fast second births, it's hard not to panic)

Any suggestion or advice?

Thanks!

Hi PuddleJumper, thanks for that! You're right, maybe I won't have one of those super fast deliveries. I just keep thinking when it would be better to go to hospital, or even if a home birth would be a good idea at all. I would like to go to hospital at the very beginning of labour, but it makes things more complicated with DS (more time with whoever will stay with him) and, of course, hospital staff will probably try to fob me off back home and maybe not let me into the room, which wouldn't be nice...

I gave birth to my second DC last Wednesday, and it was a 'super quick' delivery. Labour lasted for about 3 hours, my waters broke during the 'pushing stage' I didn't make it to hospital, and our baby was delivered by my husband on our bed, whilst waiting for the paramedics to arrive (about 20 mins after delivery!)

With my first, it was a fairly 'normal' labour/ delivery - long early stage, 6 hours in established labour and quick delivery (straight after waters broke).

I spent the last few weeks of pregnancy joking about making it to the hospital on time!

Wow Cheeky! First of all, congratulations on your baby!! What an amazing birth :)
It's stories like yours that make me wonder if I should think about a home birth. Can I ask you why you didn't go to hospital?

I've heard that second babies take half the time of the first one. This was true for me. First one took 12 hours from when it got going properly (I had a long 'latent phase') including 2 hours of pushing. Second one took 6 hours and only 8 minutes for the pushing stage. I'm not sure what that says about the state of my pelvic floor...

It was so much easier the second time. You kind of know what to expect and my body seemed to do things automatically - I never really pushed the second time, my body seemed to do it by itself.

I had a fairly quick labour first time around (6 1/2 hours from first contraction to DS arriving), so I was worried that it'd be quicker second time around. As it happened, DD was also exactly 6 1/2 hours. The only bit that was faster was the pushing stage- 19 minutes with DS, 12 minutes with DD.

I found second labour easier, even though it hurt a little more (managed both with just g&a). It definitely isn't as scary second time around. I felt much more in control, and not as anxious. Though I wasn't expecting to have her just 3 days over my due date, as DShad hung on in there til I was 40+13. We hadn't even got her cot set up!

I rang the hospital about 45 mins before I gave birth, but as my waters hadn't gone an contractions were 2 mins apart they told me to stay at home for awhile longer! I should've been more assertive as I knew things were progressing really quickly, and I thought I'd deliver as soon as I waters went...

If we have any more children I would seriously consider a home birth, but with a midwife this time!! It was a lovely birth, so much more relaxing, even with no pain relief!!

DC1 was an induction, 6 hours start to finish, so I really didn't know what to expect with DC2. As it turned out, I was nearly one of those that didn't make it to the hospital on time - going through transition in an ambulance without being allowed to move is something I never want to do again. Mild back pain started at 8.00am, DC2 born at 9.30 just after my waters broke (there seems to be a theme on this thread re: waters). She was 5 weeks early - no time for any pain relief. The worst bit was arriving to have the midwives ask me why I'd bothered calling an ambulance as clearly nothing was going on (this was just before one of them checked me, found a head and all hell broke loose).
So, for DC3, I intend to have all the home birth kit READY just in case things go ridiculously fast again. I am also going to carry some basic essentials in my car, and leave some at my office. Luckily DH has some experience delivering babies and I also work within a group of doctors.
I probably sound mad, but I believe in being prepared and I also believe it's easiest to book for a homebirth as one can always change one's mind part way through, but it's harder to get hold of all the kit if you realise that you might not make it on time.
I should also probably stress that I think my situation is somewhat unusual, but I definitely had a gut feeling that labour would be fast - so if you have that gut feeling too, it's definitely worth paying attention to it

I'm worried about exactly the same thing OP. With DS I went from nothing (no twinges even) to my waters breaking and 9cm dilated within 2.5hrs. The midwife was when she examined me, she assumed I wasn't that far along and had just offered me some paracetemol!!! Had a long second stage (a few hours pushing) but they say the second stage is so much quicker for the second baby that I'm worried it'll be really fast this time (in my midwives words "2nd babies just come rocketing down the birth canal" ). In fact, my DSis just had DC2 and after a long labour/forceps delivery with DC1, this time the pushing stage lasted a total of 6mins!!!

Mainly I'm just worried that I'll end up giving birth in front of my DS before anyone can come round to look after him/take me to the hospital - probably unlikely I know, but its niggling away at the back of my hormone-addled mind.

I think you can reasonably expect it to be faster.

A tip from my experience is not to expect the same gradual build up where each contraction is stronger and longer than the last until the time comes to push.

I had a planned home birth with DD2 and just as well because at no stage did I reach that point where I would have thought 'hmm, time to go to hospital'. My contractions were all over the place - a variety of minutes apart, lengths and strengths. They did gradually get stronger but not in the same way as first time around. In fact I told the MW I didn't think she needed to come out but she insisted and when she arrived I was 9cm! The hospital midwife told me on the phone that it's possible to deliver a 2nd baby on 2 contractions in 10 mins.

Second stage was just 10 mins and DD2 shot out with two completely involuntary and one heave-ho push from me.

BTW my experience of home birth was wonderful and I am planning another with DC3. It's an option if anyone is concerned about child care or reaching hospital in time.

I'm sorry I couldn't answer before, but I'm glad you all had such easy births for your second children. I really don't know if I should plan a homebirth... I think I want a hospital birth, but the part of not having to worry about childcare sounds very attractive...