Did your births get faster?

[MrsHamsterCheeks]

Dd1 was back to back and over 40 hours from regular contractions to birth.

Dd2 was the right way up and 19 hours from regular contractions until birth. However, I checked into hospital in the afternoon then we went out walking to move things along. Went back to be checked at 6 p.m. And they were considering sending us home. Went for one more walk then when I got back into the hospital dd took 4 mins from waters breaking to be born!

Now pregnant with dc3 and slightly worried after that quick delivery as hospital is 50 mins away on a good run.

DC1 was the quickest of the lot - and I've had several :)

I think sometimes yes and sometimes no. It seems to be unique to the individual, although generally it seems first timers have a much more drawn out time of it - I know I did! My 1st was days longer and far more painful than my 2nd. The 2nd was shockingly quick without much of a pre-labour to warn me, and I'm lucky I got to the hospital on time.

This time around I'm booked in for an ELCS (or due to be soon!). I've decided that if I even feel the slightest twinge beforehand I'm going to go straight to the hospital. I think that's all you can do really!

I have two children. Labours about same length, second slightly shorter. BUT the second was much less painful - the contractions were always shorter and further apart.

Dc1 induced at 41+3, 16 hour labour
Dc2 spontaneous birth at 39 weeks, 4.5 hr labour

3.5 hours and 61 minutes. I was told second births are usually much quicker and had a planned home birth as a result. I don't know if it's based on fact, but my antenatal teacher said thirds can then take longer again.

When I went in with my 3rd, the midwife said that commonly the first is by far and away the longest, the 2nd is generally a LOT quicker, but oddly the 3rd seems to often be longer than the 2nd.

Dc1 was about 12 hours, Dc2 was 45 minutes. I'm pregnant with dc3 but the hospital is 40 minutes away so hopefully my labours don't get any quicker!

If you have a history of fast labours, it's worth mentioning this when you ring/go in. Some people do just have quick labours.

However, sometimes the speed is just down to really good positioning of the baby, I think, which is something you don't have very much control over.

Good luck - and fifty minute car journey while in labour sounds like a horrible idea. I'd be tempted to head there early, just in case - and before things get too intense - as long as you don't mind pacing the corridors/climbing stairs.

dc1 33hrs
dc2 4hrs

No. Dd 10 minutes (crash c-section)

Ds more like 45 minutes (elective c-section)