Are second/third labours faster?

[Potteryprincess30]

Just that really, though I'd like to add 'easier' (she hopes!)

I know anything is possible and to try and be prepared for any birth plan to go out of the window, but was interested to know other women's experiences of subsequent labours after that first bundle of joy

Was it faster? did the baby arrive earlier/later? if you did/didn't tear did this repeat the next time ?

Oh and slight "grazing" aye fucking right! Bloody agony! With the first. Baby was born on due date.
Second was a slight split. Very tiny and not very painful. She was a few days over.

Third baby was no tearing at all and half the pain. Easy birth. I don't know whether baby was late, early or on time because I never paid much attention (the estimated dates were changed a bit) and said baby will come when it wants to. I knew it was due in early December but that's all.

DD1 37 hrs from twinge to baby-last 14 of these in hospital. DD2 5 hrs from twinge to baby-last 40 minutes was the only bit that was more than a bit sore. So much so the hospital told me not to rush in and I ended up with an unplanned home birth with paramedics arriving literally 2 minutes before DD2 did. Thankfully all well.

So yes, second labour definitely quicker and easier!

1st was mercifully short at 5.5 hrs. Midwife was worried 2nd was going to be quicker, but was about the same.

First was 6 hours, second 4. I preferred the longer one though as the contractions for number 2 seemed more intense, which makes sense I suppose as they were working harder. Both hypnotherapy water births. I can't recommend natal hypnotherapy and www.tellmeagoodbirthstory.co.uk enough especially the Facebook updates

1st was awful. 21 hours. Slow to dilate, back to back, forceps, drugs, episiotomy etc etc.

2nd just dropped out of my uterus. 3 hours. No drugs. Almost enjoyable. That sounds mad! It was agony but also lovely.

Thank you everyone so much for your amazing birth stories, actually got a bit teary eyed reading them. Its really moving the whole birth thing isn't it?, and the physical and emotional strength of women is just awesome.

@Orangedaisy my first daughter was born 8 years ago in a very similar manner/time frame so I am VERY grateful about your tale of an accidental home birth the second time. This is my main worry I guess that I will basically leave it too long to go into my birth center because I did a good 10 hours at home before heading into hospital last time. (whole total labour though was more like 20 hours the first time so will definitely bare in mind not hanging about to long at home)

@sequin2000 thank you so much for the information, knowledge is power and always reassures me personally. I have been watching videos on you tube by this lady who is brilliant and kind of did my own form of 'hypnobirthing/meditation' last time round so hoping to repeat my successfully calm (but intense!) labour this time round.

Heres the link for anyone too, they are called 'The positive birth company'

@ruleshelpcontrolthefun I totally get what your saying here! same thing happened to my mother with me (i'm a second baby) I was born outside the lift door at Torbay hospital in her jean dungarees after her first labour was exactly the same as yours word for word pretty much.

Didn't tare at all with my first but small baby (just over 6 pounds)so was hoping for positive second/third/fourth time rounders!

The main things I was scared about which all you lovely women have addressed is the speed and 'assisted' delivery elements. I really really want to avoid intervention/forceps again as it was such a good (bloody hard work and painful) but positive experience last time.

So long ago though so appreciate all the knowledge and amazing stories. Will definitely not hang around at home as long as last time though. Do not want to repeat my mothers cry of 'The baby is in my trousers!'

Overall, my second labour was 15 minutes longer, but the second stage was just 4 minutes and 3 pushes compared to over an hour of pushing with the first, and it was much, much easier. My third labour was the shortest of all in total but the second stage was longer than with the second baby- around 20 minutes or so, and took a fair bit of work as ds3 was born with both hands on his face.

I should also say that DC was born in the ambulance! Her birth certificate says "in transit"! 😂

DC3 that should be.

@PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks lord! That must have been unexpected! what a whirlwind your third labour must have been. So incredible what our bodies are capable of, even with a 'smaller' baby its still boggles the mind how they come out.

Its one of those things though isn't it that you don;t want to be in birth center/hospital for ages pacing around when you could be in the comfort of your own home. But equally, unless you prepped for a home birth, I would prefer not to have my baby in my home or in an ambulance if I can avoid it.

I'll no doubt end up giving birth in Sainsbury's now after saying that

@PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks my first was also early (just over a week) so perhaps should think about my hospital bag in a week or two as im 35 weeks

I think that's a good idea. The midwife predicted that DC2 would be a fortnight early, based on DC1.

With DC3, they sent me home because I wasn't having contractions, then they started on the bus!

@PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks on the bus! Oh my god this is so going to be my life. I don't drive and get the bus everywhere

Was it faster?
Yes. DC1 took 15 hrs. DC2 2 hrs 37 mins.

did the baby arrive earlier/later?
DC2 arrived a week earlier than DC1.

Tearing had too many reasons behind it to comment on and is very rarely anything the woman does, although sometimes actions can change what would have been a mild tear to a bigger one.

Was it faster?
Yes. DC1 took 15 hrs. DC2 2 hrs 37 mins.

did the baby arrive earlier/later?
DC2 arrived a week earlier than DC1.

Tearing had too many reasons behind it to comment on and is very rarely anything the woman does, although sometimes actions can change what would have been a mild tear to a bigger one.

First was 4 hours, episiotomy and 3 stitches.
Second was 2 hours, slight tear and no stitches needed.
Good luck.

My first labour was 35 hours. Back to back. Slow agony
2nd baby was 27 hours.
So a wee bit better for me but not much.

Pottery just don't let them send you home! 😂

2nd was faster for me, 3rd was the longest.

Sorry posted to soon.

1st 4 days late, spontaneous labour lasting 5 1/2 hours of continuous contractions from waters bursting - tore up at clitoris and was too scared to get stitches.

2nd 14 days late, induction in early afternoon, 1 hour to get contractions started, again continuous contractions. I went to labour ward and baby arrived 35-40 mins later, baby was back to back - tore and got some stitches

3rd induced 4 days early, took 2 pessarys to get me going, contractions kicked in around 7pm, again very sore continuous contractions until baby arrived around 6 hours later - tore same places as first but midwife said would cause more hassle to stitch.

My second was so fast and easy. A few mild cramps and pink discharge at 11:30pm made me think that maybe something would be happening soon then at 1:30am my waters broke spectacularly and the contractions started instantly and were really strong and minutes apart. Our childcare arrived at 3:30am, by which time we were waiting in the car and I was shouting that we had to get to the hospital. Arrived at the hospital at 3:45am and DS arrived at 4:11am after an 11 minute pushing stage. We were home in time for lunch :)

Third labour was very fast indeed. DH went to drop off older DCs at school and we thought we might drive up to the hospital when he came back. Baby arrived whilst he was away so under half an hour from walking around and talking to delivery.

First two labours were fast though, probably about four hours each.

I’m not having any more!

@Oysterbabe oh my goodness thank God you had good child care in place. Being home for lunch is pretty awesome but that was completely the middle of the night so must have been such a blur!

Would you advise getting some kind of mattress protector for in case the waters break in bed/at night? Mine went near the end of labour last time but they were also torrential

DD in 2014, born at 39+2, first contraction 8pm, they were 5-7 mins apart by 11pm, we went to hospital at 4am and she arrived 9am. Had an episiotomy right at the end as she turned back to back and needed a little help from ventouse.
DTwins born 3 weeks ago 37+1 (born 3 hours before induction was scheduled!) contractions started at 2.30am, twin 1 born 4.40am and twin 2 20 mins later (he also turned back to back and I tore along the same cut at last time). Amazing that it was so fast, really couldn’t have gone better apart from that if I hadn’t torn! (All healed well though)

DC1 was 16 hours, but almost zero pushing stage so she was nearly born en route as hospital didn't think I was in established labour . Labial tear

DC2 was 2.5 hours, much less painful, no tearing.

DC3 was just over 2 hours. More painful than DC2 but he was big! Again no tears.

Good luck!