My first Labour was fast am I doomed to give birth in public with child2

[twirlywho]

Hello

My first Labour was quick apparently. I was admitted to hospital after waters broke at 3pm at 35 weeks. Thay night I went into labour went to delivery suite at 10pm. Dc born at 3am.

I would really like an epidural next time as I felt off my nut on gas and air. In agony but tripping balls. I supose it tool an edge off.I wasn't able to have any other pain relief as too far gone by time I could be checked.

But if it's fast am I doomed to no pain relief again? I'm feeling quite worried about this even though my pregnancy is early days.

I don't want to feel that much pain again if I can help it.

I wouldn't class 12 hours start to finish as a particularly quick labour I don't think, even for a first. Don't get me wrong, some can last days, but mine was 6 hours and I've never thought to comment to anyone about how quick it was. My second was much quicker - went from 2-7cms in a couple of hours and had DD an hour after I arrived at hospital. Some are much quicker than that, even!

Most 2nd+ labours are quicker, but it's hard to tell. I know gas and air makes you feel away with the fairies, but I found that I cared less the second time because I wasn't using it for as long, iyswim.

I wouldn't be overly anxious if I were you. Preterm labour is different to full term labour (hoping you make it to term this time). And contractions with your water broken are stronger and more effective than before. Plus five hours from first contraction to delivery isn't excessively rapid.

I do feel great sympathy for you having wanted pain relief and not receiving it. If I were you, I'd ask for your preference for an epidural to be recorded already in your notes. Id go to hospital at the slightest hint of labour and I would repeat my request for an epidural the moment I got there.

If really worried, you could consider options like a c-section or induction at term, which remove the element of randomness from labour.

All in all, talk through all the options with your doctor. But I definitely wouldn't worry too much that you are doomed to give birth in the supermarket or something next time.

Thank you for your kind words.

I would like to avoid a section if possible as will need to be up and about. Obv it may be unavoidable.

I am high risk so I hope i will be a bit more listened to this time. I was super pissed off to be told I was not in labour to get to delivery suite and be told sorry too late for drugs. My son was very ill post birth so i probs have some unprocessed stuff I am dealing with , never had the the happy moment of holding a baby post birth he was rushed off to nicu.

Also pleased people do not feel this was fast.

Mine was 4 hours! Have you considered home birth? You couldn't have epidural but could have a pool and mobile gas & air

My first was 7 hours, then number 2 was 3hours. I didn’t go for number 3...

I am not surprised long distance.

I would like to be at home but after dc1 issues I need to be near a nicu for my own sanity.

mine was 4 hours from first pang and that included the time the baby was stuck and needed ventouse.

I was v worried about labour no. 2 but ended up choosing a c section due to the tearing of #1. Was a good choice but I did have help. Quick recovery.

I wouldn't say 12hrs was that quick. DS1 was 6hrs, DS2 was about 1hr from start to finish and was born on the bathroom floor at the very same second the front door open and someone shouted 'is this ambulance for you?'

My first was 4 hours from the very start of tummy grumbling to actually holding him. Labours 2 and 3 were 2 hours almost to the second and labour 4 was 5.5hrs.

As others have said 12 hours was not fast. From first contraction to birth for DC1 was 2 hours 30 minutes, 1 hour 15 minutes for DC2 and 30 minutes for DC3.

I think you should be safe to get to the hospital in time.

My first was 7 hours from contractions to baby being born, second just under 2 and a half hours from contractions to baby. We barely made it to the hospital in time by the time they agreed to let us come in! I've had two midwives joke to have a home birth next time

Agree with others that is is quick but not enough that you need to be worried. My first was 12 hours from first twinge to delivery (and 2 hours from waters breaking to birth), second was 8 hours start to finish /1 hour between waters breaking and birth, third tbc (though have chosen the closest hospital Vs my preferred one which is an hour away in traffic). Also, second time around you are better at knowing your body and signs, which helps.

If you are feeling very anxious after your last experience, it's worth talking to your midwife, support is available for anxiety.

If your second baby is that quick you will have time to request pain relief other than g & a

I don’t think your first labour was that fast although I suppose at 35 weeks it might be. My in labour times were five hours, two and a half and five minutes ( from being 4/5cm dilated) so I feel reasonably qualified to comment!

Congratulations on your pregnancy and I hope it all goes well at the finish line 🏁💐

My first labour was 6 hours start to finish (arrived at hospital 1.5 hours before he was born). With my second I knew it was likely to be quite fast (it ended up 4 hours start to finish), so I left for the hospital much earlier and actually ended up arriving 2.5 hours before he made his appearance. So even though the labour was quicker 2nd time, I got to hospital with more time to spare. You can always go in earlier if you're worried about a fast labour -- remember you'll have a better idea what stage you're at this time round. However, as others have said, 12 hours probaby isn't fast enough to be too concerned.

Also, I think (and hope) that you will be listened to more this time. With my first, I found the attitude was 'well, we'll look at you but I expect you've got hours to go', (rapidly followed by 'woah, you're 10 cm dilated!). Whereas with no. 2 they seemed to accept that I knew what I was talking about when I said I was coming in because I knew it wouldn't be too long and I needed some pain relief. I hope you get a more positive experience this time.

I think I was snookered as nobody wpuld examine me as it was prem so I missed the window of opportunity to get the good drugs. At 35 I needed a Dr to do the exam but they were all busy until it was too late. Also I think the actually opening of the cervix happened very fast which is why I went a bit mad with pain.

Pethidine is it any good? Or are you just a bit high and in pain still. Really like the idea of the epidural to keep a clear head.

My shortest labour was 4 mins , longest 8 hours all very different , the 4 min one was my first and luckily i was already in hospital being monitored

I had pethidine with my 1st and I felt really nauseous and woozy, but I know others who swear by pethidine.

As far as pain of labour OP, you might find things easier to cope with. I have 4DC and found that every labour including pains felt completely different, but maybe that's just me. With my 2nd I actually had no pain relief and found it a breeze, however I found other labour more difficult and was desperate for pain relief.

12 hours is absolutely not fast

3hrs for DS1 barely made it to hospital
1h for DS2 thank god i was basically camping on the maternity ward convinced something was up although monitoring was showing nothing and had a bloody closed cervix
Next one I'm staying in my bathtub

My first was 12 hours and started with my waters breaking too! No one believed I was in labour either My second labour also started with my waters breaking and was 5 hours to delivery. I had a home birth in water and it only hurt for the last twenty minutes and was actually incredibly exhilarating! Didn’t even want g&a. Second labours are easier in general so you may not want drugs, but if you do, as a P.P says everyone takes you much more seriously.

@twirlywoo from what you say, an epidural sounds like a good option for you. Guaranteed clear head and no wooziness. And it's the only option that actually takes away your pain; the others all aim to make you cope better with it, or make you care less about it, but you're still in pain.

A previous preterm fast-progressing labour sounds terrifying and I think you are absolutely right to think and plan how your needs including pain relief can be better met next time.

Thanks sycamore.

This time I am packing a bag earlier (even if just for me) I am going to be better prepared and organised. I was alone for a lot of it and I think that made it worse.

A plan is the way forward. Thanks also for advice re anxiety . I am hoping to get some support in place for this too.

1st - 12 hours
2nd -2.20 hrs
3rd - 1.40hrs
I would rather have had 12 hour births as the rapid ones were so very painful as no endorphins released. I also felt very out of control and overwelmed.
Both times me and baby in shock.

All pregnancy is unique as they say. Don’t worry too much because it might affect you and your baby. My first was around two hours and it’s totally a normal delivery. I think 12 hours is quite long for me, it could be faster if you consider looking for some techniques and also with a positive mind. Are you familiar with hypnobirthing? You might give it a try because it really helped me during my first pregnancy. I hope you are doing well. Goodluck!