Subsequent labours after a very rapid birth

[Oodlesofdoodlescockapoodles]

Hello,

Expecting dc3 any day and feeling very anxious at the prospect of another very rapid birth (dc2 around 40 mins). I was told to go in at the first sign of labour, so went in this afternoon believing things were starting only to be made to feel like a massive time waster 😢

I am very worried that with dh working approx 25 mins away, and needing to get dc1 and 2 to childcare, there's a very real risk of being alone or in transit when baby decides to come! The midwife really didn't seem to understand my concerns or empathise at all, merely pointing out how desperately short staffed they are- which isn't very reassuring, as much as I sympathise!

Does anyone have any experience of very rapid births- were subsequent births any different?

Home birth not an option for various reasons.

I had a very fast first labour recently and just had a response to my complaint about how I wasn't listened to and was dismissed as an ignorant FTM leading to a totally different experience of childbirth. The chief executive actually wrote an unreserved apology and said it was clear from my notes that the midwife did not listen to me or treat me as individual with my own knowledge of my body and this needs to improve in their maternity care.

I would plan as if you are going to free birth with no medical assistance (ie worst case). By that I mean set up a box of things for each child to do in the room if you're in labour and stuck at home alone. Put codeine boxes out of reach of the kids but again accessible in case no one gets to you and you need it. Put a labour box on each floor and ask your community midwife to plan with you for a home birth.

Then if you do make it to a hospital all the better. That's if I have understood you right and you don't actually want a home birth.

You should complain re that midwife dismissing your worries which are very valid. Worse case scenario ring an ambulance then ring MIL and make it known she bloody well needs to rush to you

I’d make sure the children/you know what to do in an emergency. Ask for help from those around you. Particularly other mums at school and neighbours.

I arrived at the hospital with my third carrying my own bag in and speaking normally. My contractions stopped whilst I was dropping my other child off at the childminder and driving to the hospital. The receptionist was a cow to me (commenting that I didn't look like I was in labour). Eventually they let me into the delivery room and a midwife came in commenting that I could be doing this at home. I just raised my eyebrow at her. She left the room and bang I went straight into minute apart strong contractions. She came back in to check on me about 10 minutes later took one look and grabbed her delivery kit. She had to ask me to take my trousers off. I had my son less than 25
minutes after arriving at the hospital. I actually made a point of going out to tell the receptionist I had had my baby!!

Good luck op. Follow your instinct.

@nomoneytreehere why are there just knob heads everywhere ?!

I was under 5 hours with my first but 10 hours with my second OP. Most of my labour with my first was spent pushing so with my second the midwives were really worried about how quick I might be. When DS2 didn't fall out like everyone expected I felt robbed.

My pushing stage was only 15 mins second time around though, and with both births my waters went and then I was pushing immediately. So in that sense they were right. It might be worth having a specific plan if you have a tell tale sign things are imminent. Mine included calling an ambulance if my waters went at home for example. Best of luck. Xxx