Did your labour start the same way each time?

[ComeOnEileen11]

Due any day with DC2. Labour with DC1 started in my back, 6 days after a sweep, 4 days after loosing my mucus plug.
Have had back ache today (but could have been brought on by the long walk...) and while putting DC1 to bed, have been feeling... 'odd' but not contractions odd, vaguely constipated/period pains.

Surely I can't have just forgotten what's its like? were your labours all the same or did they vary?

Time will tell

Although I've not seen my mucus plug yet, surely that would need to go first before full on contractions? 🤔

Nope. One slow early labour, they broke my waters in the delivery suite, took another 4 hours after that. One where my waters went with a bang late one evening, baby followed 1h45min later in a birthing pool. One induction at 13 days over due, nothing happened for 2 hours and then we went from first contraction to baby in 45min.

Blimey those second two were quick! DC1 took a very long time so hoping this time is quicker 🙄

Mine were both different DC1 started with mucus plug going, vomiting and then contractions that built up really slowly. DC2 started with sudden contractions that built up really quickly and waters had to be broken not long before baby came out.

Also I was well into labour with DC2 when my mucus plug went (dd was born about an hour after it).

That's helpful to know, thanks.

Different: DS1 was period-like cramps, really painful labour, only broke my waters right at the end. DS2, waters went at 2am, contractions were going in earnest from 5am from memory, much more comfortable overall. But there was no mistaking the real thing each time!

Yes, both started with waters breaking. After Dc1 I was told that is a relatively unusual way for labour to start and the odds were against it happening that way again. But it did anyway.

My two were quite different - first started with waters breaking, contractions started about 12 hours after that and baby arrived another 12 hours later. Second started with gradual build-up of contractions, and waters didn’t go until I was fully dilated. Expecting #3 any day now so we’ll see!

First one, 10 days over. Had a sweep then contractions later that night which stopped after 8 hours as I went to sleep. Sweep that same day, was told I was 5cm dilated and could go into hospital whenever. A total of 2 and a half days in labour and waters broken At the very end.

Second. Had sweep which caused me to lose mucus plug over 4 days. Absolutely no tell tale signs, Contractions started at 2 am. 9-11 minutes apart then one almighty contraction at 4am which ramped contractions to every 5 minutes. Baby out at 7.15am. Waters went whilst in pool just as I started pushing.

Both times I absolutely knew I was in labour. Second time I had lots of Braxton hicks episodes and cramping which made me wonder but when contractions actually started I knew after first one.

Both the same. Both with waters breaking but no labour beginning so needed to be induced.
The only difference was DS1 was at 40+2 and DS2 was at 37+2.
Both labours followed exactly the same path, right down to less than 10 minutes of pushing.
10 hours difference though, DS1 was 28 hours from pessary to birth. DS2 was 18 hours from pessary to birth (with an intense active labour noted as 40 minutes).

Slow labour for over a week with both DC - on and off which was awful but did lead to quick deliveries. After a good sweep DS was born after a 4 hour active labour and DD was born after a 20 minute active labour - we very nearly didn't make it to the hospital that time! With both DC my waters didn't go until I needed to push (they were about to break them and with DS the poor midwife was definitely standing in the wrong place!).

Very different: first one waters breaking and them straight to big, irregular contractions (4 hours total)

Second one: about 10 hours of painless but regular contractions and then 1 hour of pain (DS2 came with his waters).

Good luck!

With both: no BH, no show, waters went

The difference: first waters were a trickle, ending in induction and forceps delivery a few days later. Second waters were a gush, ending in a home birth

No. I felt like was in early labour with DS1 - similar symptom to yours - for the best part of a day before things really got going (and then it took him another 17 1/2 hours to arrive). I had one strong contraction with DD and thought "I'm in labour" and she was born 45 minutes later!

Just following to see if it was labour starting for you 😁

Thanks everyone, the gist I have got is that no two labours are the same!

@mschatterbox unfortunately not! I think they were just Braxton Hicks brought on by us having a long walk in the nice weather, despite having had a warm bath. Back to the waiting game. All I did was make both me and DH nervous

Ahh shame. Such an exciting time just waiting for the moment!

Well I wasn't then, but I am now! Eeek

How exciting, good luck. Come back with birth announcement please 😊

Will do! Am hoping for at some point in the next 22ish hours, as it would be a significant family date if DC1 is anything to go by, it'll be much longer

All three the same for me. Started with light contractions gradually getting closer together and stronger, and waters only breaking just as I was about to deliver.

Mine birth started about the same, both 8 days overdue, ds2, had a sweep day before.
Never recall either of my mucus plugs going, had to break waters with ds2.
Had pethidine with ds1, disorientated me a fair bit

Completely different to DC1. 6 hours later, baby arrived in the world!

Congratulations!!

Congratulations 💐