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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Are 2nd births generally faster than 1st ones?

41 replies

LovesToBake · 29/10/2013 13:48

That's it really. My first birth was surprisingly quick (3hrs from first twinge to baby out) and now I'm expecting DC2 I'm keen to know what to expect as I've been told plenty of times that second babies often arrive a lot quicker. Bearing this in mind I'm planning a homebirth after the speed of my first.

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Angrybudda · 29/10/2013 14:45

Yes, I was in the same position as you DS1 was twenty minutes. Was tools second births are quick, hence I planned a) home birth b) I knew what to do if I was all by myself.

But DS2 had other plans - 8 hrs! Lol!!

Good luck!

babynelly2010 · 29/10/2013 16:48

For me it was true.
1st baby - DD she was a real lady, kept us waiting in labour for almost 2 days, was born in water, peacefully and beautifully she appeared out the water right into our arms, that was my little girl. I feel real sense of happiness when I think of that moment.
2nd baby - DS he was a real dude - gave us plenty of warning with BH for many days ahead than real contractions started, we immediately went for the hospital, I am so glad we did, baby came out so fast with 1.5 hour active labour recorded. We tried to have the water birth again, his head was born in the water with his arm next to his face and then he got stuck. I had to get up, there was a lot of buzzing and running around until the midwife freed his hand and the rest of the body was born, he came out and pooped all over the pool. It was scary and we were in shock for long while. When I think of that moment I think of my self as a survivor, I feel proud but it was so traumatising.
Pretty much, each baby, pregnancy and birth is so different and you should just prepare for that. You know you birth fast but don't be disappointed if it takes longer second time as it can happen, it is so unpredictable.

Frecklesandspecs · 29/10/2013 20:50

1st 14+ hours. very long and hard.
2nd first contractions about 1am had her at 5am 45 mins after arriving at hospital.

so yes, definately in my case!

wintersdawn · 29/10/2013 20:55

No but for different reasons, first natural start ended emcs as she got stuck 6 hours 11 mins from first contraction to cord cut. 2nd induced as meant to be a massive beast and from first induced contraction to birth just short of 36 hours. But think I buck the trend, do amongst all my friends.

Sleepingbunnies · 29/10/2013 20:57

DD1 - 28 hrs, epidural, forceps, AWFUL :(

DD2 - 4 hrs start to finish just gas and air AMAZING :)

Wolfiefan · 29/10/2013 20:59

Good luck!
1st 10 1/2 hours
2nd 59 minutes!

StandingInLine · 29/10/2013 21:02

Yeah for me I was quicker the second time round. My first I started labour about 12 noonish ,went in at 6 and gave birth at quarter to 8. Second time I started labour at 11 and had given birth by 4. However on paper it's recorded my first being quicker as I didn't actually click I was in labour until just before I went to hospital ,6ish.

SteamWisher · 29/10/2013 21:03

Yes! Well different. DS's - about 12 hours active labour. DD's - I was walking around etc with contractions (went to the shopping centre, had coffee) with active labour where I needed to breathe through contractions about 4 hours.

bundaberg · 29/10/2013 21:04

mine was.
18hrs for ds1
6hrs for ds2
48 mins for ds3

slightly concerned about number 4 :-/

devonsmummy · 29/10/2013 21:05

1st was 2hr 10min
I was petrified of not getting to hospital in time 2nd time round as all midwifed said it'll be really quick.
After speeding to hospital as soon as contractions began my 2nd labour was 3hr 20min
So no, not always quicker

WhispersOfWickedness · 29/10/2013 21:05

Was true for me Smile

DC1 was 25 hours total, 11 hours active labour.
DC2 was 2.5 hours total, 1 hour active labour Grin

MortifiedAnyFuckerAdams · 29/10/2013 21:06

Ive not had a second yet, but a friend delivered within an hour of arriving at the hospital and has been told to have a home birth for the next onw!

midwifeandmum · 29/10/2013 21:09

Not necessarily, not all 2nd or 3rd labours are quicker, all labours are different but based on your very quick first labour- id say your probably going to have a quick birth.

Good luck

RedlipsAndSlippers · 29/10/2013 21:14

True for me too.
DD was 4 hours from first contraction to holding her.
DS was born on Friday, and took just over an hour to arrive :)

juniperinNZ · 29/10/2013 23:57

I had a very, very long labour with DD, DS1 had other ideas though, woke up about 2am when my waters broke, went back to bed and dozed through contractions... then at 5am realised I had entered transition stage, rang hospital who said ring 999 (DH nearly passed out a when they said we're going to tell you how to deliver a baby Grin ), luckily DS1 held on until the ambulance got us to hospital! So yes my 2nd was much quicker :)

Original poster
LovesToBake · 30/10/2013 09:47

Thanks for all the replies - good to know there seems to be some truth in the idea that second births are often quicker. I'll definitely be planning my home birth then - really don't fancy giving birth in the footwell of the car on the way to the hospital!

OP posts:
killpeppa · 30/10/2013 09:57

first birth 36HOURS!!! from 3cm-delivery.

second birth 2 1/2 hours from first contraction to delivery!

HaroldLloyd · 30/10/2013 10:42

First one was 24 hours.

Second one I nearly had in the car, after being sent home from the hospital 2 hours before.

Mondayschild78 · 30/10/2013 19:59

DC2 due any time - this thread is scaring me! MIL is hopefully going to look after DS but lives a 40 min drive away and DH works at least an hour away, possibly further afield if he is with clients. Is it the norm that subsequent DCs really do arrive so much quicker?

Penano · 30/10/2013 20:07

Oh god this thread is also terrifying me! DC2 due in 2 weeks and DC1 arrived in 4.5hrs from 0cm-delivered.

Original poster
LovesToBake · 30/10/2013 21:26

Mondayschild this is why I'm planning a home birth. DH will take 90 mins to get home from work if it kicks off during a working day and I'll be at home with DS. Guess I'll have to line up some local non-working mum friends to swoop in and entertain DS if the timings aren't on our side. I'm massively hoping it all happens quickly at night so DS is tucked up in bed and we don't have to even think about childcare or getting DH home from work!

OP posts:
emsyj · 30/10/2013 21:43

DD1 zero to 10cm in 4.5 hours, then crash section
DD2 zero to delivery in 6 hours

So for me, probably a similar length really. I had been scared of how fast the second labour might be, but actually it was about the same. I can highly recommend a home birth though in any event. Best wishes for a lovely birth Smile.

Mondayschild78 · 30/10/2013 21:47

Home birth is sounding more appealing right now tbh! I had a third degree tear though so presumed I'm better off in hospital and right from my first midwife appointment it was just assumed I would be on the delivery suite at hospital. A home birth option was never mentioned so I never really considered it.

atomicyoghurt · 30/10/2013 21:53

I was told that the second is usually reckoned on being shorter as you go to 3cm straight away then the active labour is halved.
Bollox in my case
1st 25 hours active labour
2nd 35 mins
3rd 25 mins from first twinge.

Pistillate · 30/10/2013 22:10

Depends also on any medical conditions. I had pre eclampsia with my first, and is was 10 hours first twinge- delivery. Recorded as 40 minute labour. Second was a healthier pregnancy, and I had about 20 hours first twinge - delivery, 6 hours active labour.

Pre eclampsia labours can be very fast, so if your first was affected by that condition, don't assume your second labour will be faster.

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