Any positive fast labour stories out there?

[Bobian123]

I recently had a birth debrief after DC1 (who was born in 2013). Due again soon and wanted to understand what happened first time round. Long story short, the midwife told me I dilated from 3 to 20cm in 2 hours (I had no idea of timings and the second stage was prolonged). She told me it's very likely I'll have a quick labour/pushing stage this time and I've been briefed on how to deliver at home if I end up on my own

So...anyone have any positive stories of a quick birth? I found it so intense first time round and am nervous about not getting to hospital on time!

My DS, third baby, was born very quickly. (Others fairly quick too). Few twinges in the afternoon, left for hospital 5.30pm, DS born at 5.39pm.
I did have to insist at the hospital that I was giving birth NOW!
All positive.
Very thankful however that he was born on a Sunday when the roads were quiet, I would never have got there on a weekday teatime.

Watching with interest as my first labour was the same as yours op.

My DC3 arrived very quickly (about 40 mins) at home..my DH delivered him! I had an inkling that labour would be fast as my previous births had been quick (2-3hours) but I had been told by a midwife that it was unlikely to be really quick as I had a 5 year age gap between DC2 and DC3

I had planned for a home birth anyway. Woke up at 5am with fairly strong contractions. Called the midwife around 5.15am. It soon became clear that labour was progressing very fast so my DH dialled 999, put the telephone on speakerphone, and was talked through what to do by a nice, calm man on the other end of the line. I remember he kept saying to make me lie down, presumably as it's easier to catch the baby (?!), but I was in grumpy, full-blown labour by then and kept refusing because I knew from my previous labours that it hurt more.

So, kneeling up against the sofa, I gave birth to DS at 5.40am and DH, thankfully, caught him. The midwife and the ambulance crew were actually knocking at the front door by then and my DH was shouting at them 'I can't unlock the door, I can see the baby's head!' As soon as DS was out he handed him to me and I can honestly say I have never seen him move so fast as he did then to get to the front door and let the professionals in.

Which brings me to tip number 1:

If you end up calling for an ambulance DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE THE DOOR UNLOCKED!

Also get your DP or birth partner to read up on the very basics of what to do. I think my pregnancy book said something like check the cord is not round the baby's neck, wrap the baby in something warm and don't cut the cord.

My DH also regrets not thanking the man on the emergency services line. In all the kerfuffle of the midwife and ambulance crews arriving the phone got hung up!

TBH I think my DH found the experience more scary than I did, I was too busy giving birth to have any spare head space to worry that the midwife wasn't there. Luckily it was a straightforward birth and my DH had been present at the births of our previous DCs. He says if he had not witnessed a birth before he would have been terrified!

It was actually a lovely, bonding experience, in fact a terrific high, to feel that we had brought our DS into the world ourselves. It was a few hours later that I suddenly had a panic attack about what I would have done if I had been on my own, or just with my older DCs, and my DH had been at work. The midwife calmed me down by saying that women tend to go into labour when they subconsciously feel safe, which is usually when they have their family around them. This is apparently why most women begin labour at nighttime, and why it is very unusual for a woman to give birth alone. I don't know if this is a fact, or whether she was just saying it to make me feel better but it sounds reasonable.

Anyway, good luck! Wishing you a safe and speedy delivery!

My wife gave birth to our first 90 mins after we got to hospital just over a year ago. Our second is due in 5 weeks. We've been told to expect a fast delivery.

Chourfleur, thanks for the tip about the front door, that's a good one.

You prompted me to look for some more advice and I found this:-

www.babycentre.co.uk/a557710/emergency-home-birth

Some good stuff on there I think.

My first one was like yours

The second was twins. DH was on the ball and got me into hospital asap. The hospital did not want me in until 9am but I insisted (twins born 7.30am), and then 'made me comfortable for the day staff', I found out later.

They actually took about the same time as the first one, although my waters did not break naturally and the second stage was almost non-existent.

The hospital was not ready, (much was supposed to be done, since it was twins..........) but I was sure of what I was doing this time and so was DH (he was a star!) DTDs arrived the right way round with minimal intervention and minimal pushing. They were stars too

Be prepared for everything and hope for the best!

Yes 45 minutes second child. Was fine. It was hard talking on phone but easier to text. When my waters broke on-route I texted my husband to tell the labour ward. Baby born in taxi. Got to hospital and midwives came into taxi and helped, they were ready as I phoned ahead. Delivered placenta in hospital.

My only tips are have more towels than you think you need. Don't let baby get cold if possible. I didn't have enough towels so couldn't dry my daughter. Once baby born check cord and just unloop it if it is looped round the head. Very common to have to unloop it. About 1/3 of babies are born that way. (Apparently)

Also if I had another baby i would have to have a home birth or stay near hospital because I would be quick.

If I am honest I preferred it to being induced (first child) because I was just in the moment and there was no one to interfere or be noisy. Or whisk her away! I didn't have anything with me so I just got to look into her eyes. And I did look out the window to try figure out where I was!

Actually, the midwife on the ward after I had the twins said I would be an ideal candidate for a home birth. At least you have everything prepared that way, even if the midwife doesn't make it.

Thanks everyone! Some pretty hairy sounding stories, although lovely to hear it was all actually ok in the end. Chouxfleur I'm going to take it as a truth that women go into labour when they feel safe, I like that!!

Garnett, thanks for the link. Will have a read through.

I have fast three fast labours, though the first wasn't ridiculously fast, just faster than average.

DD1: from first twinge to birth was about 5 hrs 40 minutes. I wasn't aware of any regular or uncomfortable contractions, until my waters broke with one strong contraction which came every five minutes at that point. Her birth was the hardest because she had a short cord and kept retracting, and because I was very tired as I went into labour just as I was going to bed, so by the time I delivered I'd had no sleep at all for nearly 24 hours. However, there were no complications.

DD2: I was expecting quite a fast labour after my first, but imagined it would be something like 3 hours. From first contraction until birth was 1 hour 50 minutes. I was in the hospital for just 30 minutes, and in the delivery room for 10 before she was born. Fortunately we lived close to the hospital. That birth I felt great after physically, but DH and I were both slightly stunned by the speed. The mw said it was good my dad (parents were babysitting DD1) had dropped us at the door rather than us parking, because otherwise she reckoned DD2 would have been born in the carpark.

DD3: Consultant recommended a planned home birth given my history. From first contraction/waters breaking (these were simultaneous as with DD1) was just 45 minutes. However, because I didn't have to go anywhere and just concentrate on the the baby, I felt so calm and much much more in control than with the other two labours. MW arrived (only) just in time, and it was wonderful to get into my own bed afterwards. Although the fastest, this was definitely the calmest and most "pleasant" labour. Even the pain of contractions just felt more manageable as I was more relaxed.

I am now expecting DC4 (aka. The Final Instalment). Having a planned home birth again. Quite pleased to discover that MW heading up home birth team lives just along the road.

I obviously have no experience of prolonged labour, but while it can be slightly disorientating to have a baby so fast, I wouldn't swap it for the longer labours many of my friends have had. I have noticed that I tend to get irregular but very strong (not exactly painful, though) braxton hicks contractions for weeks before delivering. I suspect these really prepare the way for things. I have torn each time, but this is probably mostly related to the speed and hasn't resulted in a difficult post-labour recovery. I've been able to manage with G&A and/or Tens Machine because I haven't been as exhausted as so many women are. For me the speed was a bonus because I never got to that point of knowing I need more/different pain relief to keep going (not that there would have been time for it to kick in anyway!).

Anyway, sorry for the essay! Hope those are positive enough.

Dd1 was a long latent labour as she was back to back but after 24 hours of irregular contractions I went from 3-10cm in about an hour and only had a recorded active labour of 2.5 hours.

Decided on a home birth for second dd in February this year. Early labour contractions started on the Thursday night around 8pm but very manageable and calm. Continued off and on til 4pm on the Friday when mw came and checked me and I was 3cm so left . Waters went at 4.30 then everything ramped up and called mw at 5.30 who got back at 6.30 as stuck in traffic and dd was born at 7pm. All in all about 2.5 hours again in active labour and only about 5 mins pushing. Had her out in 3 contractions. X

Jubles I'm the same with the strong braxton hicks for a few weeks.
I seem to take a while to get past 3cm but once I'm past that i seem to dilate to 10 within the hour (not a pleasant hour lol and usually the worst part of my labour).

These are great stories - almost making me want to do it all again!
My first birth was average 12 hour sort of thing - and DC2 wasn't as fast as some of these but I still had an unplanned home birth. It was fabulous !
I worried about it beforehand as had friends warning me second time could be fast - and it was DH worst nightmare !
I did an ante natal refresher session and the lady kind of said if in doubt stay put and dial 999.
In reality I went from wondering why I was struggling to control my breathing to realising the baby was coming all while DH was reading my DD her bedtime story. I had to call for DH but once he was with me and ambulance on way I had no time to worry. It all happened so quickly but I felt so in control and actually just felt lucky to have had such a positive experience. Good luck to you OP and others in same boat. If I did it again I would definitely just go home birth route !

My first was 8 hours from first twinge.
My second birth was much faster. Waters went first (about 6am) which was great because our half an hour journey to hospital was really relaxed with no contractions yet. Started contracting at hospital at 8.30 ish. 10.15 ish I was 2-3cm, went through to delivery and pool was run. 11.10 ish was 4-5cm and got in pool. The last bit was fast- I had her at 11.49 after a 4 min pushing stage.

So, 4-5 cm to having her in 30 mins
3 hours 20 since first twinge
less than 6 since waters broke.
All incredibly positive. Am due 3rd imminently and have planned a home birth!

These really are great, thank you. I will be revisiting this thread regularly as the weeks go by! I've found myself waking up in the night anxious about it, and I want to remain calm (will keep listening to my hypnobirthing CDs). I think it's the not knowing when/where/how fast etc.

I've toyed with a planned home birth but with DC1, I had to transfer from the birthing suite to delivery in the same building whilst pushing and that was traumatic enough! I think it makes me feel calmer to know plan A is hospital (pref with the pool if time) and plan b - I know an ambulance can get to me in about 7 mins if needed for a home birth.

I've had two quick labours, about 3 hours active labour each time. I was induced first time, and then again second time on the grounds of the quick labour. Both were good labours, second time was an easier labour.

My OB and the midwives were a bit antsy about me getting to delivery at the first twinge.

I had my waters broken by the midwife with DD - 90 minutes later after half an hours pushing she arrived. Midwife hadn't believed me when I said I needed to push - I was 4cm when they broke my waters and she told me to expect to dilate a centimetre an hour - and then had to get a second midwife in quick after she examined me and found I was fully dilated. Didn't get any pains (just a vague period pain, but not regular) until I was 10cm.

For DS we were also briefed on what to do if he arrived at home. I'd had a sweep the day before so when I got a couple of painful Braxton hicks I rang delivery ward and said I was coming in, much to the confusion of the midwife on the phone. DP drove me to the hospital as fast as he could (40mins away!), I was admitted at 11.48am, waters went at 12.23pm and he was born at 12.40pm. I had dilated 6cm from admission to DS's arrival and contradicted everything the midwife said to the student mw who was observing her first ever birth [oops] no real pains until my waters went. I didn't have long contractions (longest was 15seconds) though until I was fully dilated, at which point they become constant, so I wasn't quite sure I was actually in labour until the mw examined me. I spent most of the journey to hospital telling DP that I was probably going to be sent back home again.

For DS the second midwife arrived to give the time of birth and to give me the injection to send the placenta on its way