Third Labour - How quick was it (or not as the case may be...)?

[Jess850]

Hi, I am due third time around in nine days - cannot concerntrate at work can't stop thinking about it... ;-)
How quick or not was Your third labour in relation to your first, second etc?
Thanks!

Mine was lovely, definitely not as painful as the other 2. My labours were as follows: DC1 5 hours 50 minutes, DC2 5 hours, DC3 5 hours. DC2 and DC3 were 1 1/2 to 2 lb heavier than DC3. Third labour started far more slowly than the other 2, and was only really challenging for the last hour or so. I didn't even need gas and air.

I had heard 3rd labours were hardest and was shitting myself but it was definitely easiest of the 3 for me. Best of luck!

Mine was about the same as my second - three hours. Good luck.

Thank you so much - that is a nice reasurring account to read.
My bump is neater and lower so I think this baby might be smaller than DS 1 & 2 but time will tell.
I keep imagining I am getting infrequent mild contractions but it's just wishful thinking I think plus the pesky iron tablets hurting my tummy maybe lol.

30 minutes but my previous labours had been quick (e.g. 4 1/2 hours for my first birth from first twinge to birth).

Hi, really quick. I had been warned that in 3rd labours the midwives sometimes don't have time to get their gloves on and this was certainly the case for me. In fact, my husband only managed to get my knickers off me seconds before DD was born! I think that by the time number 3 comes along, our bodies often know exactly what to do without our "thinking" mind even being part of it. Good luck and congratulations!!

1st labour 11 hours

2nd labour 3 hours

3rd labour 1 hr 40 mins (planned homebirth)

Due on Sunday with my 4th (and final) so will be interesting,midwives have several times told me to give as much warning as possible! (planned homebirth again)

Good luck!

from first contraction to birth

ds1 45 min

ds2 30 mins

dd1 fell out after 10 mins still pmsl about that one 5 years on ;)

Can't rightly remember . But contractions kind of started in the early afternoon, got painful by about 4pm and she was here by 9pm. Compares to 24 hours for the first and 12 or so for the second.

Second stage was a doozy though - 2 minutes. Kind of went 'yes, you're 4cm+, you can get in the pool' to 'ohmygod the baby is coming NOW'!!! In 2 contractions.

OOOhh this is so reassuring. Thanks for the thread OP, I've been wondering exactly the same myself though DC3 not due til Oct my thoughts have turned that way already....

I had heard the same as you OP about 3rd labours often being harder. This gem was passed to me by the midwife while I was in labour with DD2 (planned homebirth) she said it's because the womb is getting worn out by then. It has haunted me a little ever since we found out this time.

From first contractions to birth:
1st time - 28 hours
2nd time - 30 hours
3rd time - 3 hours 40 mins

But the third was the only one I had had stop-start contractions in the days leading up to it etc. Despite that, midwife examined me 13 hours before she was born and said my cervix was still high, she couldn't do a sweep etc.

My 3rd was definitely the best birth experience of the three

As above first contraction to birth:
1 - 30hrs (technically actually in labour 5h20m)
2- 9hrs, (labour 1.5 hrs)
3 - 5 hrs (labour 1.5hrs).

Definitely differing levels of pain, 3rd was easiest, probably not unrelated that I was also at my most relaxed ie. at home in bed. Midwives seem to have a tendency of muttering things about 3rd labours being unpredictable. Oh but where expected to recover very quickly as per 2nd, 3rd was actually a bit longer before I felt normal again.

Good Luck!

26 hours of hideousness, sorry you did ask! It was only 6 weeks ago, so still fresh in my mind, unfortunately.

That's exactly what my midwife said; that third births are unpredictable!
I had a 9 hour and a 1.5 hours so hoping that going on what you are all saying, this one will be short also!!

dc1: 15hours
dc2: Induced. 3.5 hours
dc3: Induced. 1h 45mins