How fast was your 2nd labour compared to your first?

[RoseberryTopping]

DP is working a few hours away and only back on weekends, now I'm nearing 37 weeks it's getting me worried that he won't make it back on time. I just wondered how different everyone else's 2nd labours were compared to their first? If you go overdue with your first are you likely to have the same again?

[BananaBeforeBed]

I was eight days overdue with both of mine.

DS had me in hospital one night, labour didn't establish so I got home in the morning, started again that night, fairly sore, in hospital for six hours, waters broke just as i was delivering. I was utterly exhausted by the entire experience.

DD waters broke at teatime, got DS settled in to bed and headed into hospital around midnight for a check as waters had gone. They advised me to stay in but was not in labour, DH went home. Contractions began at 1 am, she was born just after 3 am, very easy labour, no drugs, felt absolutely fine after, a natural high you might say.

[FryOneFatManic]

First DC was born by CS, 2 weeks early, so I never went into labour.

2nd DC, I got the first faint twinges at about 2:30 am, and DS was born at 11pm same day. So I guess that was my first labour. Fast labours seem to be the thing in my family so I guess if I ever have a DC3, it'll be really fast. It felt a bit too fast, if that's not a stupid thing to say.

[JessieEssex]

First labour - 8 hours from first contraction to birth - 3 days early
Second labour - 4 hours from first contraction to birth - 3 weeks early...

[Happydutchmummy]

1st labour. 11 days overdue. Mild contractions over 3 days, then from 6cm (I think that's what they count as active labour) to dd being out.... Erm, 10 minutes. Shocked the hell out of everyone including the midwives.

2nd labour. 2 days overdue. Mild contractions for 7 hours, insisted on being admitted to birthing unit even though I was contracting irregularly and only 2cm dilated. Examined 2 hours later and had reached 5cm even though contractions were still irregular. 30 minutes later I was cuddling my ds.

[DrCoconut]

Second labour was just over 1/4 the length of the first one. It would have been quicker but DS was badly positioned and wouldn't budge so needed ventouse. There is a 12 year age gap between my 2 DC too, don't know if that affects things?

[YoHoHoandabottleofWine]

Went into labour:
DC1: 40+2
DC2: 40+0

Total length of labour:
DC1: 48 hours
DC2: 12 hours (from waters breaking, contractions for maybe 5 hours)

Official length of established labour per my notes:
DC1: 28 Hours (ventouse & forceps)
DC2........ 11 MINUTES

First twinge = call your DH.

My midwife told me that 2nd births are usually the easiest no matter how many children you go on to have.

[dekari]

I gave birth to my non-identical twin boys (@34+5) yesterday! My waters broke (in the cinema!) at 2.30 and they were both out (2 x breech delivery) by 4.15! My first baby was induced and I was pushing for 3 hours before they got the ventouse out! Couldn't be more different experiences!

[MistyMeena]

1st-about 16 hours from first twinge to baby
2nd- about 6 hours

[onedogatoddlerandababy]

DD1 was 12 hrs active labour, 1.5 hrs pushing, ended up with forceps. 40+8

DD2 was 1.5 hrs active labour (though went 4cm to baby out in half an hour) 12 mins pushing. 40+5

[RoseberryTopping]

Congratulations dekari! Twin boys, how lovely :)

I'm quite looking forward to labour now as long as DP makes it in time. From reading these the 2nd labours all seem to be quite manageable (I don't think enjoyable is quite the word!)

[cazakstan]

Mmmm, well, my first dd was born after a whole one and a half hours in labour. My second dd in just 20 minutes. Can you imagine if I went on to have a third.

[RuckAndRoll]

These stats are scaring me slightly! DS (10 months) was 1hr 25mins from 1st contraction to birth. I was already in hospital for blood pressure checks and 4cm when I felt the first contraction, oh and he was born at 38weeks.

Think a home birth might be required if we go for DC2.

[Aleksandra034]

First labour: Sun morning to Wed morning (counting from the very first contraction, but last 24 hrs intense)

Second labour: contractions started 5am, mild. By midday, moderate pain but still able to walk etc. At 3pm, got to hospital for a 'just in case' check up, only 2cm dilated. Then almost immediately it all went crazy pain wise and baby was born at 5.15pm. Was very glad that I had gone to the hospital when I did, because even half an hour later I wouldn't have been able to get into a car!

[Babs8]

My first took almost 3 days to arrive. My bf Spencers works away and I am worried i will have an equally long labour with my second. Loving reading everyones experiences though and gives me hope for a quick birth second time around! Spencers on Red Alert with his mobile phone anyway so first twinge and he is on that train straight home :))))

Good luck ladies!!!! All worth it in the end :))))