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Childbirth

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

Original poster

How much quicker was your 2nd birth compared to the 1st?

61 replies

DisneyBaby · 26/10/2021 22:16

So I'm expecting my second baby, due in April.
My family are going to Longleat Centre Parcs 4 weeks before my due date (will be 37+5 on departure).
I've said yes to going with them because I had my first daughter 2 weeks late and had to be induced etc, she didn't want to come naturally. And then once it all started it was a really long labour, 3 nights in hospital total. So I just kind of assumed I couldn't be that early when I was that late before...
But now I'm getting a bit worried about it. Everyone says it's quicker after your first and Longleat is 2.5 hours from my house... Is this too risky?
How different was your 2nd births compared to your 1st?
Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 26/10/2021 22:19

1st was 2hrs
2nd was 15mins

Grumpyosaurus · 26/10/2021 22:20

First, 8 and a half hours. Second, about 5 hours.
First baby a few days late and second even later?

Tessa2014 · 26/10/2021 22:21

1st sounds similar to yours. Two weeks late, whole process took 36 hours.
2nd was around due date, and took 45 minutes. Was shocking to say the least.

Sunshine1235 · 26/10/2021 22:21

Mine were both exactly the same length - and so was my 3rd. Each time I expected it to be shorter and it wasn’t so it actually felt even longer 😂

CeeceeBloomingdale · 26/10/2021 22:22

It wasn't quicker, they both went on for bloody ever (about 15 hours active labour both times). #1 was 9 days early, #2 was 10 days late.

NamiSwan · 26/10/2021 22:23

I don't think you can expect anything really, sorry!

My first was born at 40 + 5 after 3 days labour (so went into labour at 40 +2)

My second was born at 40 + 9, was in labour 8 hours from first contraction to birth

My third was born on 40+2 after 24 hours labour

So from my perspective yes my second labour was quicker but then my third was long again so 🤷🏻‍♀️

DelurkingAJ · 26/10/2021 22:23

DS1 2 weeks late, 22 hour labour
DS2 1 week late, 3 hour labour

EcoCustard · 26/10/2021 22:23

Dc1 arrived at 36 weeks and in about 50 minutes from start of contraction to birth.

Dc2 was 38+4 and just under an hour from start of contracting to delivery. (I did have my waters broken as they wouldn’t break and were in the way , she arrived about 2 minutes after that Grin).

Dc3 & 4 were induction also quick from contracting. All births were different though and I was somewhat anxious awaiting dc2 as I had been told the same. (Along with your first is always overdue and slow said by midwife the day before Dc1’s arrival).

mnahmnah · 26/10/2021 22:23

Both were two days over. Both were 10.5 hours officially, but 25 hours from first obvious contractions

DuchessSilver · 26/10/2021 22:24

5 hours compared to 2 days, both on time!

Doublechins · 26/10/2021 22:25

1st - 34hours from 4cm to delivery
2nd - 13.5 hours from first contraction to delivery

ImNotWhoYouThinkIam · 26/10/2021 22:25

1st baby, on his due date. 18.5 hours established labour(contractions actually started about 18 hours before that)

2nd baby, 10 days late. Less than 2 hours.

MilkCereal · 26/10/2021 22:25

First dc 2 weeks late. Second dc 2 weeks early! Be prepared! First took 6 hours, second 2.5 hours.

Meandmini3 · 26/10/2021 22:27

Baby 1 18 hours
Baby 2 30 mins

BertieBotts · 26/10/2021 22:28

Just as long for me.

First was about 19 hours if you count from when I was properly in pain but more like 30 in total.

Second waters broke at 10am, born at 3am, so 15 hours, but probably only in pain for about 9 hours (only! :o)

Third one was very like the first again and 16 hours of painful contractions, but had been stop start all the night before so around 30 again if I counted it like that.

I don't know why they didn't get faster! I felt a bit cheated as everyone said they would. It's exhausting being in labour for so long and I only really properly got the hang of pacing myself the last time.

Winecheesesleep · 26/10/2021 22:28

DC1: about 36 hours
DC2: just under 3 hours

Bit of a surprise!

BertieBotts · 26/10/2021 22:30

Interestingly, every time it took around 8-9 hours from when I first got into hospital until the birth itself. The rest of it was just the awkward at home bit.

Ginflinger · 26/10/2021 22:31

24 hours v 6 hours

Smarshian · 26/10/2021 22:31

To answer your question:
First labour 12 hours, second labour 3 hours. But I don’t think going to Longleat will be the end of the world, even if you go into labour you can just go to the nearest hospital surely?

BertieBotts · 26/10/2021 22:33

Presumably OP there is a hospital near the Safari park. Take your notes, work out where it is and if something happens quickly then go there. If something starts slowly as is very likely in my experience, then you can go home first and make your way to your normal hospital.

DramaAlpaca · 26/10/2021 22:35

I don't have fast labours. My first was 21 hours from first twinge, my second was 12 hours and my third was 5 hours.

OhForGoodnessSake1 · 26/10/2021 22:36

1st - c.36 hours
2nd - c.8 hours
Second was later than 1st.

LivingTheLifeofMum · 26/10/2021 22:38

1st 7 hours
2nd 4 hours

Not sure I'd go anywhere at 37 weeks' pregnant. I'm waddling around like a duck by that stage. 🥴

wineandsunshine · 26/10/2021 22:38

1st - five days late - 5 hours
2nd - three days late - 2 hours
3rd/4th - super quick Grin

Heruka · 26/10/2021 22:40

First 40something hours, second 2.5.