Fast Labour

[Stepmooster]

Hi, I had my first baby last July and my waters broke and then she was born 3.5 hours later. I don't know if my labour was fast or if some women just don't feel the first stage like others do? My daughter was born at 5am and the day before I got swollen feet and heartburn, and I felt a bit disorientated. I never had those symptoms up until that point. Is it possible that I just didnt know I was in labour?

The reason I ask is because I am pregnant again and want to know if I should class these symptoms as the first stage of labour and call my husband home, or should I just assume that I have no warning until my waters break. I am just trying to work out if I am going to be able to get care for my daughter as I have no family nearby, and my husband works over an hour away.

Also is it true that your second baby arrives much quicker?

Don't know but interested to hear other replies.

My first labour was 45 mins and all we can tell about the bit before was that 'you looked like a space cadet'. Was apparently sitting on a birthball with my eyes shut not answering questions - not that I remember any of it. Ended up as 45 mins from MW assessing as 0-1cm to baby in arms and I was only in hospital at all 'cause husband was worried something awful was happening like I was having a stroke.

I know some people can say that they're jealous of fast labours, but I think that's cause they haven't tried them - was a bit of a shocker tbh

Am also 30wks pregnant and the only thing we can say for sure about the day she arrived before the space cadet bit was that I was tearful/emotional earlier in the day.

Hi helspopje, LOL to your space cadet comment, I remember that I had gone to the supermarket that evening and was hanging off the back of the trolley all space cadet like as well, with the staff asking me if I was ok! I didn't know how to answer them. When I got home I just sat on my birthing ball rolling around eating rennies.

3.5 hours is doable, but I was in shock, she was 2 weeks early and I went straight into the delivery room and felt like I had no control over whether to push or not, the midwife was telling me when to push, but my body was just doing it anyway. When she was born I couldnt believe it, and didnt know what to do with myself.

1st labour 12 hrs (was induced on drip)
2nd labour 4 hrs (started naturally only just got to the hospital on time)
So I think if your first labour was only 3.5 hrs then for DC2 make sure you go to the hospital as soon as you feel things are about to kick off. Don't phone them and let them talk you into waiting like I did. They said 'if you can talk through contractions you are not in labour' - well i can talk through anything and I was in labour!!

3.5 hours is pretty brisk, and yes, second ones do tend to be quicker. DS1 12 hours; DS2 3 hours ... have you considered a home birth?

Not personal experience (much longer complicated labour!)

However, friend has had 2 very quick labours - 1st waters broke she went to hospital but they examined her and sent her home, (I didn't think this was standard practise but they did) she got home, then she went and lay in bath thinking she had ages, despite feeling urges to push.. husband phoned hospital and she was straight back in hospital and baby out within 45 mins.

2nd one born in hospital car park.. less than 1hr 20mins from start to finish.. literally, she woke up, felt an ache (not sure when waters broke) waited for mil to arrive on all 4's in garden, jumped in taxi as Mil got out and arrived at hospital, got out of cab and out came baby, so she gave birth in car park..

She had definitely been told 2nd would be quicker and that she should consider home birth, she didn't fancy it.

My first labour was exactly like yours - waters broke with no warning and baby arrived 3.5 hours later. I was fully dilated when I got to hospital as the mw kept putting me off when I called in saying it would be ages yet so despite everyone saying how lucky I was to have such a fast labour I found it a very frightening experience and wished it had been a bit slower!

Dc2 started with ctx rather than waters breaking which surprised me but I had no doubt that it was the real thing when it started. I opted for a hb because I knew it would be fast and I was worried about childcare for dc1. It was 2 1/2 hours from start to finish and although I had been worried about having a faster labour it was much calmer because I was expecting it and also because I was at home and didn't have a frantic journey to hospital to stress about!

I thought about homebirth, but because I lost a lot of blood and had to go on a drip with DD I was wondering whether I'd be best off in hospital. Also I've heard you shouldn't have the injection to speed up your placenta delivery if you had a fast labour. Something to do with it not coming out properly. They did give it to me though so not sure if this is true?

I'm very interested in this. What if your labour was set off by prostin gel? My labour was just over 3 hours from start to finish. My waters went spontaneously after second dose of prostin. No drip needed, I went from 1-10cm in 90 minutes

For a second labour could I expect the same or faster? Or s my labour fast because of the prostin?

My first labour was about 4 hours - I started having some minor twinges around 3.30ish and dd was born at 7.30. The first couple of hours the pains weren't strong at all but very regular. I went to the hospital and was told I was 2cm dilated and was in 'early stages'. DD was born within the hour.

Second time round was less than 2 hours from the first little twingy pains to birth - it was terrifying especially as at first I wasn't sure if I was in labour and then it was an hours drive to the hospital.

My waters didn't go either time til the head was crowning so I didn't have that clue to go on.

I thought I would know for sure the second time round but I seem to have very manageable pains and go to 10cm quickly. I think if you are in any doubt then go in and get checked. There should be a note of your fast labour on your file.

Op I would talk to your mw about hb in your situation as surely it would be safer to give birth at home with a mw present than in a layby on the way to hospital?! If hb is definitely not an option then would they induce you to make sure that you're definitely in hospital in time? I'm sure I read on here that someone was induced for that reason. As for the injection I had it after my first baby but not with my second although the mw asked if I wanted it so I assume she was happy to give it.

Hello, I think it is possible. My first labour was 8 hours from waters breaking and I had no symptoms other than feeling a bit odd before then.

I arranged a home birth for my 2nd baby.

...and had a really long first stage! A good 34hrs! It wasn't too bad though, much better than going straight into big regular contractions like they did in the first labour. Proper labour was probably about 8hrs again.

Definitely wise to prep for a fast labour, but don't count on it either.

my first labour was exactly like yours op and I expected dc2 to be quick as well. my second birth I had about 11 hours of build up with regular ish but further apart contractions amd then my waters broke, suddenly full on evefy 2 mins contfactions so straight to the hospital (we'd already sent dd to gps for the night). by the time I got to the hospital my contractions were a minute apart. I was pushing within 45 mins of getting to the hospital but because he was massive and back to back it took a while. he was born 3 hours after my waters broke just like dd was. so my labours were very similar apart from actually getting some warning the second time. Good luck op. do you have any nice neighbours in case things are a bit sudden?

my first labour was exactly like yours op and I expected dc2 to be quick as well. my second birth I had about 11 hours of build up with regular ish but further apart contractions amd then my waters broke, suddenly full on evefy 2 mins contfactions so straight to the hospital (we'd already sent dd to gps for the night). by the time I got to the hospital my contractions were a minute apart. I was pushing within 45 mins of getting to the hospital but because he was massive and back to back it took a while. he was born 3 hours after my waters broke just like dd was. so my labours were very similar apart from actually getting some warning the second time. Good luck op. do you have any nice neighbours in case things are a bit sudden?

My first labour was 4 hours from 2-10cm
My 2nd labour was 1 hour, went from 3cm to baby in 2 mins flat!! But I did have a placental abruption so was just being prepped for an emergency csec when out she popped!!
Nobody was more shocked than the doctor just about to cut me open !!

Our baby's must just like to make a quick appearance!!! X

I think you're right, that some people don't feel first stage labour. Have you googled silent labour.

I would also recommend planning home birth, so you have everything set up if you need it (would recommend home birth anyway, and my older ones have always managed to sleep through it, never had time to take them anywhere.)

Good luck, it's one of the better problems to have :0)

Thanks everyone, I think I shall have to aim for homebirth. However a bit nervous about delivering alone. I wouldn't say I was in control with DD labour I very much relied on MW. It was a bit of a blur, can't remember much about the last bit of the labour. I suppose I shall have to call an ambulance if I am completely panicking and things are progressing rapidly. I have one nice neighbour but she works FT. I am going to google silent labour...

Like one of the posters above, my waters didn't break til crowning either so that was no use for me as a 'warning sign'.

I have no problems with HB from maternal point of view, but am concerned about what would happen if the baby needed anything more than minimal resusciation so have ruled them out. Round our way expecting them to get to me in anything less than 30 mins is daft - it simply isn't going to happen.

My plan is -
husband work at home as much as poss
keep enough petrol in the car for an emergency dash at all times
have been offered (and will accept) a delivery pack at home and am prepared to use it alone if needed
programme of sweeps alt days from 39 weeks wih a plan to stay nearby for a few hours afterwards
hopefully get to the MLU with enough time to spare to actually get in the pool and be offered some gas and air this time
Have declined the offers of 38 week induction and 38 week section

My first was 12 hours
2nd was just over an hour by about 10 minutes
3rd 4th and 5th were an hour from start to finish.. including delivery of placenta.

No pre labour pains or anything, The contractions just came on and within the hour they were born.

I just made it in time with number 3.

I was booked for a homebirth with number 4 as they were worried I wouldn't make it in time. She ended up being 10 days late so I was booked for induction and after an hour of waiting for the nurse to check me I went into natural labour.

Same with number 5. She was 10 days late. I had an appointment for induction at 8.30.am but went into labour the second I got into the hospital.

I think I was so worried that I would have them at home and have no one to look after my other children that I stalled my labour and that is why they both decided to come out naturally as soon as I set foot in the hospital LOL It worked out well, if I wasn't in hospital 4th and 5th would have been born at home or in an ambulance for sure.