Midwives, knowledgeable folk: what are my chances of a straightforward 3rd birth?

[Baby3YesorNo]

Contemplating whether to go for DC3 and this is a factor, rightly or wrongly.

I've been fortunate enough to have two pretty straightforward births. DC1 was a spontaneous labour, was able to have a MLU birth and fortunately enough, didn't tear.

DC2 got a bit more complicated - after being sent for a growth scan they found high cord pressure and I was induced at 37 weeks precisely. The induction was long but ultimately successful and I was able to walk away without any tears or injuries.

Can anyone tell me: having given birth twice, is it still all to play for with #3, or can I have a reasonable expectation that it's likely to be straightforward? I know there are never any guarantees, but are there any odds? Benefit of clinical experience? I know I could always end up with a breech presentation or something, but I really hate being in hospital, and I'm wondering whether I should count myself lucky and call it a day, or roll the dice once more.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

I'm interested in this too OP, so I hope someone more knowledgeable comes along soon!

Good luck with your decision.

I had two pretty straightforward deliveries with dc1 and 2.
Then dc3 was also fairly easy and straightforward, but she was breech. Not really much difference to the others though.

Oh and if it's relevant, I'm mid 30s, healthy range BMI, and otherwise fit and healthy.

It doesn’t sound like you have any risk factors, and births generally (generally, not always!) get easier with each subsequent one.

Thanks - I guess that's all anyone can tell me! And I'm hoping that an uncomplicated first birth is a good sign.

Would I be considered at risk of having cord/placenta issues again? Or would I default to low risk and only receive monitoring if something was detected later?

It might be worth writing to the hospital and asking for a copy of your notes, and to have a debrief with a midwife? They’d be able to advise in your specific circumstances (and also decipher the language on the notes!).

I'm a midwife and generally we tend to think of third births as a bit of the unknown....second births tend to be really quick...third births from my experience can be either super quick but sometimes lengthier, more like a first birth. An obstetrician told me when I was pregnant with my third it was to do with the muscles being stretched and that baby has more room to get into a more undesired position. I went overdue with my third and was very anxious that it wouldn't be as lovely as my other two births, but my third birth was super quick, no tears, minimal blood loss.

I wouldn't mind having my first birth again, to be fair - 19 hours from first contraction to baby in arms and I spent most of my active labour in the birthing pool. My second was "longer" but only because it took the induction so long to take!

Thanks, that really helps - sounds like short of a complication (which could always arise) I'd have a reasonable shot at a straightforward birth.