Are 2nd labour quicker then 1st and are second babies bigger.

[lizziemun]

I am 30 weeks pg with my second pregancy.

With my 1st labour i had a back ache for 24hrs, not painful just uncomfortable. When i got up the day i had DD, i had a kick to my bladder went to the loo and was bleeding called hospital and was told to go in as i was not having any contractions got there about 7am still not having any contractions. I had to wait for a doctor to be examined, this happen about 7.30am still not having any contractions but was being monitors, i was already 8cm dilated.

The midwife gave me a petherdine injection (as per birth plan but not asked if i needed it) which put me to sleep until about 2pm i had dd at 2.13pm only pushed about 5 contractions to push dd out.

I do think if i hadn't been given the petherdine injection i would have had by 9am.

DD was 9lb 4oz at 39 weeks.

Should i expect my labour to be just as quick, and will this baby be bigger.

Everyone is different there are no definite rules. I was 5 hours full labour with dd, 6lb 10oz two days late and 2 hours with ds 8lb 10 oz three days early

yes, usually.
not necessarily
there are lots of variables

my second was quicker but lighter and earlier! Had dd1 at 39weeks 7lb 8.5oz,9am midwife gave pethadine, but didn't knock me out, had at 11.30am. dd2 was 37weeks 6lb 13oz got up, used toilet, got in car, went to hospitla had within 20mins!

You never can tell. good luck!

DS#1 4 hour labour and 8lb's 4oz's, 4 days early!
DS#2 3 hour labour and 8lb's 14oz's, almost 2 days early!
I'm PG with my 3rd and hoping for a quicker labour and at 37/38 weeks fingers crossed!

In my case - yes much and no nearly two pounds smaller.

Yes and Yes (2 lbs bigger...ouch!)

My second labour was quicker than the first (5 hrs rather than 12), but DS1 weighed 8lb 5oz & DS2 only weighed 7lb 7oz - although that may be because he came a week earlier!

labour was harder and was slightly bigger.

Second births are usually - but not always - quicker, according to the midwives I've interviewed. Don't know about size. I can't think of any physiological reason why a second baby should be bigger than a first, whereas there are good reasons why if the body has laboured once it will find it easier/quicker the second time.

Thanks for all replys

harpsichordcuddler,

I not so worried about the actual birth, more about what happens if i go into labour when DH at work (he works in London we live in luton) can take upto 2hrs to get home because of the road works on the M1.

And my mum (who will be looking after dd)works in Hemel not to bad only about 30mins.

I think we need to come up with a plan B.

Second delivery was definitely quicker but both were 8lb 4oz (same as me apparently!)

Good luck with it.

If your REALLY stuck I'm in Luton too

yes I think you need a plan B. your uterus and pelvis are clearly very well designed for labour and now it is primed and ready to go, your labour could be very quick.
or it could be completely different
good luck HC xx

Sorry had to go to bed as falling a sleep on the setee .

harpsichordcuddler

Yes my mum says i have childbearing hips , we will definately have to come up with a plan B.

DS1 - 30 hours, 10lbs
DS2 - 12 hours, 8.5lbs.

First baby, 8 hours from first contraction/waters going. 6lb 9oz.

Second baby, 3.5hrs from first contraction, waters went in second stage, 8lb 10oz.

It was true for me!

I think with a first, the muscles are much tighter and I did feel like Ds1 had no space in there to grow much...not very scientific is it! Second time I was much slacker

First labour with ds - 16hours and 8lbs 2oz.
Second labour with dd - 4 hours and 6lbs 4oz, so it was true for me! Both at 41 and 40 weeks
Mind you my friend had 1st labour 7 hours 5lbs 6oz and 2nd labour 32 hours and 8lbs 7oz!