Fast induction first time - what happens next?

[HarrietM87]

My first baby was overdue and I was induced at 40+12. I had one dose of the prostaglandin gel and it worked really well - contractions started a couple of hours later and baby born within 3hrs of first contraction. All went smoothly with just had and air.

I’m pregnant again and no idea if I naturally labour quickly (in which case might seriously need to consider a home birth) or if it was down to the induction. I’ve asked my midwife and she says it’s impossible to know!

Has anyone had this with their first baby? What happened with subsequent births?

Make contingency plans for a home birth. My second was born at home (planned home birth) in just over an hour. We were very lucky that childcare was on hand, DH was home and our midwife was down the road or I could have have ended up alone or in the car. I've had several friends whose second baby arrived as an unplanned homebirth.
It might not happen to you but second time around is very often a lot quicker. Better to plan for it just to be on the safe side.

Not in your position, but I do labour quickly.
How far are you from the hospital?
There is no reason not to book a home birth. You can still plan to go to the hospital, but if you don't it make it it'll be a bit less stressful at home. Don't bother when a pool though, you probably won't have time.

I’m 25 mins drive from the hospital I’m booked in at, but there is another one (not a great rep) 15mins away. I actually enjoyed the security of giving birth in hospital last time and would prefer it this time, but perhaps it won’t be possible 😬

Just bumping for any more stories!

It is impossible to know. I went in at 40+2 and baby was born vaginally with one dose, very quick contractions, same day. Just had baby no 2 and for past my date so then an induction.. 3 days later on the pessaries, gel, etc... nothing.
Ended up with a csection for this one (which was actually a great experience!) so would say you really cannot predict it!

Wow @Amanduh that’s such a different experience! How overdue were you this time and did you get a reason for it like baby size/positioning? The only people I know who have had CS after a natural birth have been where the baby is massive or breech.

I’m just bumping this again for any more experiences. Found out that if I want a homebirth I’d have to move hospital which I’m not keen on doing. Equally not keen on giving birth with just DH to catch the baby!

Also interested in this. I was only 4 and a half hours with first birth (induction) was already 3cms when they burst my waters and was put on the drip I then jumped from 3cms to 10cms in roughly 15mins and the midwife at the time said oh your second will be born in the car. Induction again this time before due date so hopefully not but I'm hoping for it to be very quick too. When are you due op ?

Hi, OP.

I had a very similar experience to you for my first birth. Induced at 42 weeks, labour started very soon after gel and DS was born less than three hours later.

My labour with DS2 went like this: booked in for induction at 6pm, at 1pm I was in the bath preening to get ready and felt a contraction. Whizzed to the hospital (as my midwife warned me it could be quick) and DS2 was born at 1:44 in the hospital lift

Third and fourth births were also just as speedy, although I was already in the hospital as they were induced too (late dates again).

You might have a wildly different experience to me, but given you've had one quick labour and this time your body knows what it's doing, id make contingency plans.

Hi Op, I had my waters broken at 41. + 5 with DD1 and gave birth 3 hours later. With my second I had my waters broken again( reduced movements) at 40 weeks and DD2 was born 90 minutes later ! I was lucky that the labour suite let my DH in when my waters were being broken otherwise he might have missed everything ( have birth 6 weeks ago and due to virus birth partners technically not allowed in till active labour) I suspect if I ever have a third I'll be in labour about 10 minutes!

I had the exact same experience with my next labour/birth as my first . Needed induction to start it but it was quick from then.

Thanks so much for the replies. I’m only 20 weeks so have plenty of time to think about it, but the fact id have to move hospitals if I want a homebirth is worrying me. I deliberately didn’t book in at our closest hospital as it has a terrible rep. In no traffic the closer one is 7 mins/15 in traffic, vs 15/25mins for the one I’m booked at. Sadly the one I’m booked at can’t cater for a home birth for me as I’m out of area.

At the moment my plan is to rush in at first contraction like @WitchSharkadder, but how can I sort childcare for DS1 if it’s a race against the clock like that?! Wonder if I’ll have to leave him with DH and go in alone. It’s really stressful!

Hi @HarrietM87
I’m in a similar position- my first was a fairly quick labour (spontaneous though, no induction) and as I’m now 41 weeks thinking likely to be induced this time. And my main Worry is childcare - my mum will come over but she is an hour’s drive away and the hospital is a 25 mins drive from our house. I have booked for a home birth in case things went too fast but I’d much prefer to be in the hospital.
Have you got a friend or neighbour you could call on to wait with your child while you wait for your main childcare to arrive if it’s a mad rush? Think that’s what we’ll do - get a local friend round here ASAP while mum is on her way and we are on the way to the hospital .
It’s good you’ve got plenty of time still to think about your options !