Second labour compared to first

[betterbeslytherin]

I'm due any day and really dreading labour. How much faster was your second that your first?
My first was near 48 hours and I ended up with epidural and forceps delivery.

I'm worrying now about spontaneously going into labour and how much time I will have? As with first I was home for a while first until contractions really picked up. But I understand this is unlikely this time around?

I now have my daughter to think so and worry about how fast it may happen and stressing about having time to sort her out etc.

First I was 48hrs, second 2! But second time I was having v mild contractions on and off for a week which is probably part of why it was so quick. If it’s any comfort, it was a great labour, so straightforward and no pain relief needed at all. I had planned to be at home and was glad to achieve this, my DD only left as things started to really ramp up. How far away is the person doing your childcare?

They're only about 10 minutes away - hospital is about 20 mins away.
I've been having the same for the last couple of weeks, they feel slightly lower since a few days ago but not painful more just uncomfortable.

Do I still ring them first to advise I'm going in? Is it the same rule as before as in wait until 2-3 mins apart and lasting 1 min?
Ahhh I need to chill but the uncertainty of it happening and any time and it being so quick is getting to me.

My second was much quicker than my first (3.5 hours rather than 28) but I still had plenty of time for my parents to get here (they live an hour away) and for me to get to the hospital (20 mins away). Don't worry OP, it's v unlikely to be less than half an hour!

My first was like yours, second was 17 hours, ramped up very slowly, there was lots of time to sort DS1 out, don't worry. I could and did stay at home for a long time. I went into labour at about 10am and only got to hospital at 7pm. I spent most of the day trying to sleep :)

I can definitely understand the worry but it’s unlikely that it’d suddenly be so intense so quickly that you couldn’t get things sorted with DD. Even though mine was quick once it got going, there was a clear build up and easy to tell it was the real thing compared to the stop start of the early mild contractions. Just remember that you know what contractions feel like now. Also if it helps, I laboured just fine in the spare room by myself on all fours for 30 min or so while DH ran about setting up our birthing pool before it became apparent it wasn’t going to take long and I couldn’t move to get in it! So you will most likely have a bit of wriggle room.

As for the timings, you should check with your midwife, but for me the warning it was close was more about the relative intensity of the contractions which I don’t think ever got much over 45 secs but were frequent and strong.

I had all the same worries as you- and I was 13 days late! It’s hard when you know all you should be doing is relaxing, sleeping and waiting but the anticipation makes that a challenge. You will meet your beautiful little one soon! And a second baby is such a pleasure. Hard work at times but a chance to really just love and enjoy without all the worry and bewilderment of first time. You’ll be fine I’m sure. Good luck

No 1. waters broke during the day with no real contractions, although the started to pick up a little around bedtime and were strong enough that I couldn't sleep through them. Next morning they were still coming but totally sporadic with bigish gaps between. We went into hospital for induction as here they don't like to leave you longer than 24hrs after rupture of membranes. Wasn't dilated at all after my night and morning of contractions, but favourable for the drip straight away. On the drip I went from 0-10 in three hours and then spent an exhausting hour and half failing to push baby out, ending in an episiotomy and narrowly avoiding forceps, which were the next step if baby didn't arrive after the cut. Not a long labour compared to 48hrs (I bloody salute you), but the pushing bit was absolutely exhausting and I was wrecked afterwards.

No. 2 - waters broke at half midnight and woke me. Contractions started very shortly afterwards and were close together (about 2 mins between) almost straight away. Although contractions were short and manageable at first, but progressed quite quickly into stronger pains. Stayed home until 4am and then drove to birth centre (less than five minutes drive) to meet midwife at time we'd agreed on the phone. Pains started to ramp up in length and intensity almost as soon as we got there. I had the baby at 06:20 and pushing stage was probably 15 minutes tops

So the bit that I dreaded most second time (pushing) was much shorter and more manageable!

First one, slow labour then he was out very quik..
Second was not too pleasant as had to be induced early so was a long haul but once in actual labour it felt the same x x

My first labour was 7hours 9 minutes, my second labour was 2 hours 22 minutes, it was all very very fast. I would much rather go through the first than the second again!

Everybody is different OP, and no labour can be predicted. Al we can say is that, as a general rule, second labours are shorter and less painful than first.
Of course there are a few mums each year who deliver in their bathroom, or the hospital car park, but they are a tiny minority and you really shouldn’t spend ages worrying that you might be one of them!
Phone your child care provider as soon as you’re sure you’re in established labour, so they can come over in good time and get organised. Ask the labour suite how soon they want you to turn up once you’re contracting, but you can always head in sooner if you think things are cracking on faster than that. Good luck!

My first and second were both days of slow labour then 12 hours established!

Dc3 and 4 were both 5 hours

First 40hrs, 2nd 9. 2nd much more manageable - still as sore as hell but I wasn't as panicky. Had less pain relief as well (but did use birthing pool, that water is magic!)

My first was a wholly unnecessary drip induction. My waters had broken 48hrs previously. I had no signs of infection. In hindsight I should have refused induction and just let nature do its job. From the first drip-induced contraction, the whole thing took just just 3 hours. It was horrendous. One massive contraction for 3 hours with no break in between, 40 minutes pushing on my back with my legs in stirrups. Second degree internal tear.

My second was a spontaneous labour, and I chose to stay at home. The labour itself was longer - 10ish hours - but was more “normal”. A decent break between contractions, and I knew what to expect pain-wise. Compared to drip contraction, the pain was totally manageable. I spent the whole labour bouncing on my ball, playing with my toddler, watch a dvd box set - generally just chilling between contractions. Then I realised I needed to push, and my son was out in 2 pushes
No tearing or grazing at all.

Mybreadiseggy i am sure i was on a previous antenatal thread with you! But ive had many name changes! Would have been April 13 or October 16!

My first was induction, two days slow labour, failed ventouse followed by forceps, and stitched to the eyeballs. Horrific. Second was waters broke, 6 hour labour and normal delivery!

First was like yours probably 3 days contractions leading to epidural, episiotomy forceps, birth.

Second was 21 hours labour. After 10 hours labour i went to the hospital, they told me i wansnt in labour, i was sent back home home 7 hours before birth. I tried to relax at home but it didn't work and eventually thought, i AM in labour, went back and then was only on the hospital bed 40 mins before birth! No time for an epidural. Actually it was an easier birth (though no pain relief!) Still cross about not being listened to.

1st - spontaneous labour, 23 hours with epidural and straightforward delivery

2nd - induced at 42+1, labour 4 hours, failed epidural, touch and go when babies heartrate dropped too low at the end and they were about to take her out with forceps but she delivered

3rd - induced at 41+6, labour 4.5 hours with epidural and straightforward delivery

No rhyme nor reason. I too worried about spontaneous labour with subsequent births, all you can do is make multiple plans.

Following with interest! I'm overdue with baby #2. First labour was 30 hours total, mostly fine but pushing took an hour and a half and was utterly, utterly awful. I'm trying not to build my hopes up too much that the pushing stage is quicker/easier second time round!

My first labour with DD1 was a long latent labour and 4 hour active labour. It all happened very quick. I think was of the longer latent phase. My waters never broke and she was born in them (in birthing pool with just gas and air). I had my show as my 3 min contractions started.

With DD2 who arrived two days ago :) my waters only broke before she arrived as did my show. Another long latent phase which was similar to first. I had 8 min contractions two days before both births. With second, I knew I didn’t feel right that day. Not unwell, not tired, just needed to relax and sit down (was considering doing some work from home! But decided not to). I then had 8 min contraction, which decreased by one minute for each next contraction. Within an hour I was on my way in and 8cm dilated. The pool just about filled up enough to give birth and there she was. Two hours from first painful contraction to giving birth.

I hope all works out for you! I was lucky that it happened when DD1 was at preschool and grandparents could collect! X

My first one took 22 hrs, epidural and forceps. For second I had prepared to have a bath whilst having contractions, prepared a Playlist to listen to etc but my waters broke and contractions were close and intense straight away. I had my DS in 2hrs 30 mins and a bit of gas and air. If I'd had a bath I would have had him in there ha!

Thanks for all the replies- I feel a lot better about it now! And it's encouraging that everyone's second labours seem to be at least shorter than the first.
I've had a few crampy Braxton Hicks for last 2 days and its bringing back the last time. By the time I was admitted I was absolutely exhausted and crying in pain and I just hope it's not as long this time.

I think it differs! I had two very different labours. The start of both went on for ages but the "business" part was much faster with DC2.

DS my waters broke at 6am, I started having contractions at 6pm and he was born at 12:51pm the next day. Was in active labour for nearly 5 hours.

DD I had contractions from 8am and she wasn't born until 5:23pm the next day. BUT once I was 4cm, it was only 1 1/2 hours until I had birthed her.

It also felt much more like my body knew what it was doing when it came to the pushing part which makes sense!

I had about 8 hours of mild contractions, had my waters broke in hospital and then gave birth 4 hours later.

Those 4 hours were pretty intense but transition was about 10 minutes and I pushed for about 5 mins so the worst was over pretty quickly compared to first time around.

Thought I would update whilst feeding my gorgeous little baby boy born last week

Labour was definitely shorter and I had plenty of warning to prepare - though a million times more painful as my epidural didn't work. No idea how I did it but every second was worth it

Congratulations!