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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Those who have a history of fast labours..

49 replies

CoffeeAndCaramel · 16/01/2021 11:08

Hi everyone!! So basically I have two children age 8 and 5 and I'm pregnant with number three. My first labour was 2 hours start to finish and my second was 45 minutes start to finish. I'm really worried I won't make it to the hospital this time, but because I haven't had a baby For a long time is it less likely it will be quick anyway? I will talk to my midwife about it again, she suggests a home birth but I really don't want one. Would really appreciate some outsiders thoughts. Thanks x

OP posts:
Original poster
CoffeeAndCaramel · 16/01/2021 18:34

Anyone ?

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snackcurator · 16/01/2021 18:44

Can't really help but my children are similar ages and my labours were the same duration as yours. 2nd labour was also prem. I always wondered if I had a third whether they would come early and if the labour would be even quicker!

theAntsareMyFriends · 16/01/2021 18:45

My first 2were the same as yours. DC2 was delivered by DP as my home birth mw couldn't get there quickly enough. My 3rd took 4hours which was a surprise so they aren't always quicker.
Could you plan for a home birth. You can still go into hospital if possible but a least it means that you won't end up with an unplanned home birth.

Santaiscovidfree · 16/01/2021 18:48

Dc 2,3 and 4 were less than 3 hours eqch
.
Dc 6 was 2 hours.
It can be quite scary when you know you don't have much time. Home birth may be worth a considerable..

Twizbe · 16/01/2021 19:17

I wasn't as quick as you but not far off.

They've told me that if I have a third I should seriously consider a home birth.

For you, I'd also seriously consider one as well. I mean chances are you might have one without planning it.

You can plan for a home birth and change your mind. If your labour seems to be progressing slower than before you can always go into hospital.

Huffle · 16/01/2021 19:22

I also have an 8 year old and a 5 year old, first was 8 hours or thereabouts, second was 35 mins start to finish, it was all fine but we lived 5 mins from a hospital then so we (just!) got inside, now we live a good hour away from a hospital and are planning no3 so following for advice! I’d be considering a home birth just because it’s maybe preferable to a side of the road birth. I’m not sure we’d get to hospital this time! Interested to hear if it necessarily follows that when you’ve had one super fast birth the next will be fast too..

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 16/01/2021 19:27

Labour 1 - about 75 mins. Was a home birth and MW arrived 3 pushes before DD arrived.

Labour 2 - twins - persuaded to have hospital birth and was induced - from first twinge to both babies arriving c.20 mins. The staff missed Twin 1. I had him on the toilet floor and THANK GOD managed to get up and shout for someone to come and help. If I hadn't he'd be dead as he was born not breathing and I don't know how to do neonatal resuscitation.

If your MW says home birth I would seriously consider listening to her.

Original poster
CoffeeAndCaramel · 16/01/2021 19:28

Thankyou all for your replies! Interesting to hear similar stories from fellow fast birthers! I can't really put my finger on why I don't want a home birth.. But really there isn't a reason why I can't. Last labour I had about 3 minutes to spare when I get to hospital and the whole thought of the rush and uncertainty is making me feel anxious and nervous! Thankyou for the advice I think maybe I should accept the chances are it will be a home birth, but go to hospital if I have time! Any advice on how to prepare? Xx

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Original poster
CoffeeAndCaramel · 16/01/2021 19:29

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff wow that sounds horrendous! Thank god your babies are safe and sound x

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spikelou · 16/01/2021 19:32

Hi,
My labours have also been fast - the second was in December and I was advised to call an ambulance as well as the midwife if I went into established labour quickly. In the end it was fast but I had a couple of hours from waters going until contractions started so I went straight to hospital in enough time.
Could it be worth asking if you can be induced? Or have a sweep at home at a reasonable hour of the day?

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 16/01/2021 19:33

Talk to your midwife about preparation. In most areas, you'll be given a labour pack with ties for the cord and that sort of thing. You need to plan not just for a home birth but for delivering without a midwife, if she can't get there in time. Hopefully that won't happen, but you need a plan, just in case. If need be, a 999 operator can talk your DH/DP through helping you.

Swiftjogger · 16/01/2021 19:33

Mine were all very fast and high risk so it was insisted I have an induction to avoid any emergency situation.
Hmm I don’t know what I would have preferred, it would have been nice to be at home.

sweetkitty · 16/01/2021 19:41

My second and third were home births and were great, fourth was an induction due to fast labours and I had horrendous SPD. It was rather nice knowing his due date, booking child care, knowing that DH would be there and all the unknowns were gone.

First time I had ever been hooked up to monitors and the MW was asking me “are you having contractions?” I was like I’ve been having these pains for weeks, one shot of gel and whoosh it all kicked off so I think he was ready to be born.

His labour was the best as I actually had a gap between contractions and could speak, still only an hour or so of proper contractions and 2 pushes. DD3 was 40 mins and DH caught her as the MW hadn’t got her gloves on.

Neolara · 16/01/2021 19:53

I don't want to alarm you, but i would get the midwife to show you and your dh how to deliver a baby. (Proved useful for our dc3.)

Original poster
CoffeeAndCaramel · 16/01/2021 21:01

@sweetkitty Thankyou for your story! Just wondering how far gone were you when you were induced? And was it the same kind of length as your other births?

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Original poster
CoffeeAndCaramel · 16/01/2021 21:02

@Neolara oh god this is what I'm worrying about! 🤦‍♀️ I'm still intrigued to know the story!?

Thanks again for all your advice xx

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PinkSpring · 16/01/2021 21:08

First was unplanned home birth as she arrived so quickly. Second was a planned home birth on midwife recommendation - he also arrived very quickly.

If we have a third, I will have another home birth.

PinkSpring · 16/01/2021 21:09

Oh and first was delivered by DP, no midwifes arrived for over half an hour after she was born.....

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 16/01/2021 21:19

This is very strange op I am in exactly the same situation as you. Same ages of older children, same labor times. Also pregnant with number 3. When are you due?
I am being induced at 39 weeks as I can’t have a home birth but I’m still very nervous she’ll come before that date and dh will end up delivering her at home!

Original poster
CoffeeAndCaramel · 16/01/2021 21:31

@Dinosaursdontgrowontrees wow how strange!! Congratulations and Thankyou for sharing my concerns! What has your midwife suggested?? Xx

Now I have to ask everyone, are you all tall with big feet? 😂 I am and my previous midwife says there's a pattern there with quick births, I wonder how true it is! X

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CornedBeef451 · 16/01/2021 21:32

My friend has 4 DCs with quick deliveries hat just got quicker. No. 4 was delivered in the car outside the hospital and they set off as soon as she felt the first contraction.

Probably best to speak to your midwife, if you plan a home birth will they be able to get to you quickly enough or would it be quicker to go to the hospital?

Original poster
CoffeeAndCaramel · 16/01/2021 21:32

I am due I July so only a few months gone but I'm a very organised worry wart kind of person so want to plan ahead! Xx

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CornedBeef451 · 16/01/2021 21:34

I forgot! My niece had a fairly normal first delivery but the second, 10 years later, was 35 mins from first very mild contraction to delivery. She gave birth in her en-suite just before the ambulance arrived.

Original poster
CoffeeAndCaramel · 16/01/2021 21:38

@CornedBeef451 that's what I'm wondering! It's less than a ten minute drive,and my mum would get to me in about ten minutes to look after the DC. It's just the apprehension of not knowing where I'll be and who with ect!

I think I shall do as I did last time and go straight to hospital soon as the pains start/waters break. It's just impossible to plan x

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absolutelyknackeredcow · 16/01/2021 21:50

I had my second planned home birth which was a reasonable average length but my friend (who had been very very snooty about my Home birth ) had incredible quick second birth and delivered her baby in the hall way with her husband on the phone to 999. We did laugh about it later ..
My understanding is the reason that they want you to stay put is that it is much more dangerous to be in transit than at home and even if the midwife doesn't make it they can dispatch an ambulance to you ASAP. My friend had two - one for baby and one for her - and they arrived very quickly

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