Rapid delivery left feeling confused (and sore!)

[Charlie4491]

I just wondered if anyone has experienced anything similar, I had my 2nd baby 9 weeks ago. I had preeclampsia in my first pregnancy pretty severe, my second I developed it 4 days before I was due to be induced.
Anyway I had the first part of the induction process in the morning, by the evening I had a couple of uncomfortable contractions but there was no pattern,& they weren’t regular.
I managed to nod off to sleep, woke at 5am asked the midwife if I could go to the labor ward because I had waited So long (I had requested this as my previous pregnancy I had complications and it was the safest place to be) she said she would examine me at 7am, at 6:30 I had a feeling something wasn’t right (since I woke up I just had general period like pain not contractions) the midwife examined me at 6;40am and said I was 2cms, she went to get me some medication for the pain and as she flung the curtains open I had the most horrendous contraction’my waters broke on the bed and it was full blast from there, I dilated 5cms in 20 minutes. (7am-ish) I was on the labor ward,now 10cms and my son was born 30 mins later.... as a result of the super fast labor I suffered a 3rd degree tear graded a C? I had my ‘reconstructive surgery’ and we was home within a few days.
I can’t get my head around how or why things happened so fast? The pain was unbareable I don’t think I even had a 30 second break between contractions so I spent the whole 45 minutes on gas & air without a puff of normal oxygen. I remember the labor well, but it all happened so fast as I was being transferred to labor ward I remember thinking to myself I bet I’m not even 5cms yet, and I’m in unbareable pain god knows how I will make it To 10!
Anyway my little boy is safe and well and I’m gradually recovering so I can’t conplain but I think it has left me feeling a bit emotionally confused. If anyone had a similar experience or have any ideas of why I would love to hear!

I hope you're Ok. That does sound very intense and a lot to take in physically and emotionally! My experience wasn't exactly the same as yours but there were a few similarities. I got to 10cm about 40 minutes after my waters breaking And the baby was back to back so I then spent about an hour and a half pushing. Like you I was induced, second baby and had high blood pressure. I think all of those combined can just make for a very quick labour!

My second was born in 20 minutes. I was also in for an induction because of pre-eclampsia. I had my waters broken then I had one massive contraction that just didn't stop. I was in such a panic. I wanted to push and the midwife said "don't be so silly. You've ages to go yet. Ds head came out while I was still wearing my pants.
The whole thing was just so fast and scary and I felt totally out of control and couldn't keep up with what was going on at all.
He was fine, I was fine, all was good. But it was still not a nice experience. I talked it through with the midwife who visited me at home, that was helpful. And ds3 was born in a much more respectable 4 hours.

Women with pre-eclampsia often labour quicker. Not sure how evidence based that is but it’s a recognised “thing” amongst obstetricians and midwives. It could also just be a second labour thing. A lot of women in subsequent labours find that once their waters go, that’s it. Very fast.

Hope you’re healing well and congratulations.

My first labour was very similar - 2cm 6 hours after pessary, I sent DH home as everyone was saying as a 1st time induced Mum it would take like 48 hours! Mean agency midwife gave me a paracetamol and showed me how to run the weird hospital bath which she thought was ridiculous as I couldn’t possibly be in pain yet. Gave me 2 proxy paracetamol.
Anyway, I went from 2cm to baby born in theatre in 40 minutes. Forceps with zero pain relief (except those paracetemol!). Had the same ‘oh god if this is 2cm how the fuck am I going to do this??’ thoughts. 3c tear and episiotomy (not fully categorised until a few months later as we moved house so missed 12 week tear follow up).

Anyway. How to get over it. DS has just turned 3 and for me I still think about it probably daily and talk about it to anyone who will listen, for me it’s quite a positive feeling because the adrenaline really kicked in for me and luckily it was only a physically traumatic experience and not mental. I was glad it was quick. I had urinary and fecal urgency incontinence and urinary stress incontinence for probably about 18 months after, and my women’s physio woman was amazing and understanding and a bit like a therapist too, so I’m sure that helped. Look into those appointments if you have those problems. If it’s all just mental, ask for a birth debrief? I didnt have one but for my second baby I requested a c section at my booking appointment and then saw the Birth Choices midwife which sort of acted as a debrief for my first birth too.
I don’t know if this is helpful in any way. But I guess, I sympathise, find people to talk to about it, and ask for follow ups for any physical issues as they will really keep reminding you of the mental trauma if they don’t resolve swiftly.
Congratulations and well done!

Sorry. As you can tell I still ‘like’ talking about my labour 3 years on. I think it’s a good sign and also a way of processing it still. Do it! If it helps you.

Also I didn’t mean to say ‘if it’s all JUST mental’. Obviously. I meant if you don’t have physical problems on top of the mental trauma. Sorry! I’ll go now 😄

A combination of induction, 2nd labour and pre-eclampsia - I'm not surprised it was so quick. Scary for you though. Maybe ask the hospital for a full debrief?

Thank you for all of your replies! It’s so nice to know I’m not on my own
Yes we do like a birth stories thing at my hospital I think it would be helpful to go over my birth, I can remember it well but it would be nice to know if future births would be the same, I think any future baby would probably be a csection as I wouldn’t want the increased risk of incontinence. I’m very lucky to have escaped that, maybe a little urgency at times but I can’t complain. It’s so lovely to hear your stories, and I think sometimes talking about your own birth can help others!

Yes my second birth this November was a c section, they granted it absolutely no questions asked given the degree of tear last time so if you did want one I don’t think you’d have a problem!

Without sounding silly, (and it’s definitkey not something I’m thinking about right now) but if we did have a 3rd and final, with my labor being super speedy, I’m scared if I happened to go into labor earlier than 39 weeks then I would be forced to deliver naturally I’d never have time to get to hospital...wondered if they might offer a csection day 37-38 weeks just to make sure baby definitely doesn’t happen to come early naturally. The surgeon who done my surgery said strictly never any more natural births... but there’s part of me that still wants just one more baby it would make me so sad to think that was my last!

My 3rd took much longer. I was all prepared for it being fast but it didn't happen. I only had 16 months between 1 and 2, then 4 years until 3. So maybe that made a difference, who knows. It's all so random.

I think I had similar... First part was different in that I was experiencing painful contractions for 16h or so at home, which weren't frequent enough to go in (every 7mins). I was being sick, not eating or drinking so was pretty exhausted by the end.

When I eventually went in - of my own volition because it was too much to bear - I was 2cm. They were kind enough to let me stay and rest in a private room. No sooner had I crossed the threshold (literally), waters broke and baby was delivered less than 2h later. I have taken a long time to process this second part, because I don't remember much except for extremely vivid snapshots of absolute fear and pain. I felt the urge to push from the moment my waters broke and had no break between contractions. It (I) felt wildly out of control and gas and air didn't do much at all. I really thought before labour that I would be as in control as possible. Maybe this was my downfall. I can't really remember the biggest thing that ever happened to me, and I can't believe how intense it was. The midwives all said it was extremely fast and my reaction was absolutely expected (I was alternately shouting and apologising) but I think they were just being nice.....
I had second degree tear (nearly third) and have a mild bladder prolapse and I'm pretty sure it's a result of the out of control bearing down/pushing.

Anyway! I'm not sure what my point is but it definitely helps me to talk about it, so apologies for the random birth story!

Congrats on the birth of your second baby OP!

No I totally agree I think it’s important for us to talk about our experiences! Everyone has their story and it’s great to compare. I’m sorry to hear about your slight prolapse, is there anything they can do for that? I’m guessing pelvic floor exercises wouldn’t be of much help?
Thank you for your comment, it’s actualy nice hearing other people’s stories helps me to feel relatively normal!

I saw an NHS physio who confirmed and said PVE would make a big difference... And they did! But only if I did them daily and I'm lazy. But there have been significant improvements naturally 9 mo pp to the point where it's not notice me most days. Will definitely start exercising religiously if I get pregnant again

*noticeable

Very similar story here, 35 mins from waters breaking to baby arriving. DH missed it and like you it was one very painful contraction.
Same scenario, 2nd baby, induction although not for preeclampsia.
Your not alone, and I'm not at all convinced that faster is better at all.

Similar here. Induced. Nothing happening, then boom. Waters broke at 4 cm then was fully dialated 20 mins later and DD born after a few pushes. Midwife didn't believe that I was in full blown labour and wasn't even going to check!
Because of the speed I couldn't have pain relief and only got G+A when pushing.
No gaps between contractions which were horrificly strong.
Ended up with 2nd degree tear.

Just glad I never have to do it ever again!

I hated that I didn't have time to mentally prepare or get pain relief.
First baby labour was nice and steady so I coped much better.

My second (of three) was a really long drawn out labour due to baby being back-to-back. The midwife examined me and said I was only 6 cm and would be hours yet. As I rearranged myself after the examination, I felt the baby swivel round inside me and she was born 7 minutes later. I've never known pain like it, felt like I was going to die. All OK afterwards, but it haunted me for years and I think I only really got over it when I had my third, 6 years later. Worth talking to someone to debrief?

Yea I just had G&A, what scared me after was if anything went wrong I’d never been able to have an epidural so I guess any complications I’d have to have had a General.... don’t think I’d have minded due to the sheer amount of pain. Like a few of you mums have said, I don’t think quicker is better. In fact the midwife on the postnatal ward gave me a quick debrief and she said women that labor faster generally experience worse pain than those who progress naturally at a gradual pace (I know either way it’s not pleasant).
I think it’s emotionally hard for me to get my hesd around. Once he was born (was a surprise, gender was unknown) I just said to my partner what the .... just happened lol. Then being whisked straight off to theatre for almost 2 hours was very much to take in.
I think what worries me more is the hospital done bloods on the Saturday, he was born on the Wednesday, the bloods were abnormal & diagnosed as Preeclampsia again, nobody called me to tell me this, I wasn’t looked after anymore than any other mum and I was told my diagnosis after he was born, but the midwife dropped it in conversation like I already knew.
I had a gut feeling on the Saturday as they put me on a monitor for baby’s movements and there was a heartbeat but no movements at al for 60 mins, midwife said it was normal ?!?! I had nana on the monitor 4-5 times prior to this and baby was always active, and after I was induced they were struggling to keep my BP under control. Despite all of this, and knowing I had PE again I still wasn’t transferred to labor ward for closer monitoring. It makes me sad because I think with the proper help to hand I wouldn’t have torn quite so badly. When I had PE with my first baby I was induced on the labor ward and keep there until she was born. My labor was slower but her actual birth was very quick, it was traumatic in many ways but I think I would still prefer to go through labor with her again than what I did with my son. Can’t blame anyone personally the staff were generally great it’s just the NHS...

(Sorry for rambling on, )