Third birth stories ..

[Pippin18]

Hello

I am due our third baby in November but for some reason I am terrified this time ..

Do third babies usually come earlier and labour faster than 1st & 2nd babies…

Any third birth stories that you would mind sharing?

Mine was the quickest and by far the easiest of the three.

Had a planned home birth, he came at 39+2, same as DC1 and earlier than DC2.

I don't labour quickly, it took 5 hours from start time finish. About half the time DC2 took to arrive.

I just had gas and air and it was all fine. Intense, but fine.

I went overdue, just as I did with my 2nd.

Was induced at 40+5. Had the pessary and then my waters were broken which really got things going. Active labour was less than two hours and I used gas and air.

I felt so prepared and confident and comfortable . The midwife with me was wonderful and my husband was also great as he also felt ‘ok. I know what we’re doing here!’

I didn’t need any stitches and was back in bed showered and breastfeeding almost straightaway. It was a fab experience.

3rd was a piece of piss compared to the others.
I saw consultant begging for elective c section and was refused so had no choice.
I hired a tens machine (amazing!) took co codemol in early labour, bounced on Birthing ball and stayed home till I couldn't take it anymore. Got to birthing centre and within 1.5 hours I was pushing her out on the floor, just gas and air for the last 30 mins, whole thing started at 7am and she was born by 5:30 pm so it was atleast half the length of my other labours.

You do labour quickly 10 hours is nothing.

My labours have got longer each time. DD was 5 hours, DS1 was 6 hours and DS2 (a late miscarriage) was 8 hours. Both DSs were inductions though. And even though the labours were longer they were much easier than DD as I had no tearing so recovery was much easier.

Mine was overdue (other two were early by three days and two weeks). I had to be induced as movement slowed. I insisted on an epidural (which I hadn't had for the other two, one too late by the time I got in and I couldn't keep still and one so quick I didn't think to ask). So less painful but longer.

Thank you everyone.

I think it may be because this pregnancy wasn’t planned and I’m now worrying myself sick at all the what ifs ..

My first I was induced due to my waters breaking and labour not progressing at 39 weeks. Labour went on for ages, induced at 8am and he arrived at 12:57 in the morning! Had shoulder dystocia and a few stitches. Recovery was hard.
No one mentioned what happened until I went to the midwife about baby number 3!

My second was quick, he arrived within 30 minutes of arriving at the hospital at 37+5. He was born face up but no issues. Very straightforward.

Just trying to tame my panic!!

My third was a typical third in that Labour was very start stop. For a couple of days I had contractions that amounted to nothing! In the end though baby flew out in 6 minutes once things kicked off for real! No injuries, about 2 pushes.

In comparison my other labours were about 5 hours and 10 hours (giant DC2!)!

Mine was stop start for days as well, and stop start on the actual day. My waters leaked at 5am and I had him at midnight, arrived at hospital 9cm as they couldn’t facilitate homebirth, main waters went and he was born in the next contraction. Very much Like my first labour and the end part of my second labour except as he was massive like my first I had to actively push him out, middle baby came out as I panted lol. He arrived at 39 weeks like my second (first horrendously overdue).
Like you I was concerned about third time going wrong for some reason.

I'd heard loads of horror stories about 3rd babies taking longer etc but definitely not for me. Waters broke and he came out 8min later in the corridor on way to delivery room. Intense but very quick!

Third dc was born in under 3 hours at 6am. I took him to collect dc 1 and 2 from school at 3 30!

Woke up at 4am with contractions with my third, she was born 40 mins later. No problems, quickest labour (though longest was only 4 hours!), she was a little bit later than my other 2, but still early (5 days). Other had been 2 weeks, then 7 days. She was 9.7lb, lighter than 2nd, but still ok size!

Hello,

Congratulations on baby number three, what a blessing!

I can see you’re feeling apprehensive about your third labour and that’s okay! No two labours are the same, that’s for sure. I’ve got three at the moment, my youngest DD is nearly a year old & her labour was great, it was natural with gas and air (doesn’t matter what pain relief you use, no judgment here!) & I also had my waters popped for the first time.
My third DD was born on her due date after a second cervical sweep.
it was pretty quick. I think I was pushing for like 2 minutes or something.
posting my badger notes to show details on timings.

My third was a beautiful, straightforward labour compared to my first two which were somewhat trickier. First two I had interventions (episiotomy/ventuose). Third not even a graze! All of my labours were long, though; around 14-16 hours from first definite contractions.

(That might be because now aged 9, my third child is altogether easier/more pleasant than my older two, though! 😂)

I wish there had been badger notes when I had mine. My youngest is five so maybe just missed it?

For me it was my easiest...

DC1 - 18 hours
DC2 - 24 hours
DC3 - 8 hours

Yeah it was a new thing I think when I had my little girl who is nearly one. I was confused when I heard about it at first! I think you can download it and request your old birth notes etc. it wasn’t about when I had my oldest two in 2018 & 2020! X

My 3rd was quick, but intense & definitely
the least pleasant of my labours.

My first two were nearly 4 weeks, and 2 weeks early; my 3rd was only 2 days overdue but it felt like weeks & weeks as I was expecting him to be early too!

Neither of my first two labours were especially long; this one was under 3 hours from the time I arrived in hospital. But it progressed very rapidly, I felt really out of control & the pain was horrific (I'd been very fortunate to find the pain very manageable with the first 2).

The thing is OP, your labour will be unique to you, and to this baby. I think the reason I was so shocked was I expected a very easy birth & that didn't quite happen.

I think if you don't have any particular expectations & go with the flow, it'll be easier. Best of luck!

My labours all got quicker...my first one was over 45 hours with every intervention going. Second about 8 hours, 3rd about 4 hours (and born at 40, 40+1 and 39+6). 4th one was 2 weeks early and I thought I was having BH. Had one almighty contraction, raced to hospital which was 10 mins away, and he was born literally 4 mins after the midwife said hello! She didn't have a chance to get a delivery pack or open my notes....Good luck!!

DC1 2 hours early
DC2 2 hours early
DC3 2 days - two weeks late, back to back, head in awkward position. Did it with just gas and air though.
If baby's in a normal position, it should be fine. Mine was just demonstrating the personality at birth!

My third was the easier by far. I’d have done it again the next day if it weren’t for the stitches!

DC1 induced at 39+1. Medicalised birth. ventouse.
DC2 spontaneous at 38+4. Ventouse. Traumatic. 4h from first contraction to baby out.

DC3 came spontaneously at 39+5. Had a blissful water birth at a MLU. 3.5 hours from first “was that a contraction?” twinge to baby in my arms.

If only he was as easy now at three and a half as he was when he was born!

I also was scared from third,but dont know why...It was the easiest birth.Quick,and not painful at all.Had gas and air for 5 minutes only,and he was born.The whole labour was a bit start stop,started with water leaking at 5 am,and he was born before midnight.But active labour was only 2 hours,5 min second stage.
I had after Him 2 more,and the labours became shorter but more intense.
Last labour was 1 hour,second stage 6 seconds(really)but it was very very painful.
You will be fine,dont worry :)

I had gas and air with both my other births. Obviously, I found it painful but not completely unmanageable.

The gap is bigger this time too which probably has a factor in how I’m feeling. It’s a strange feeling tbh, I’m more anxious than with my first!

Thank you for sharing all your stories!
I wish I had that app as well - maybe I’ll look into it and see if I can request my birth notes!

My first was born in 3.5 hours. Hospital water birth

Second was born in under an hour (19 minutes active labour) almost didn’t make the hospital.

Third I was also expecting to be fast so had a home birth but labour was stop start for a few days before she arrived. When it eventually kicked off she was also born in 3.5 hours active labour but she did have slight shoulder dystocia so that may have been why.

My third is my most calm and placid! She’s amazing

I have had 3 very straight forward, quick births. All three babies have been 9lb. First two I was 6 days late, third one day late. With my third I decided to do hypnobirthing and didn't take any pain relief. I think the fear and anxiety comes from being so aware of what's going to happen (sometimes ignorance is bliss) what that being said, I loved my last birth, I felt really present and in control. Just keep in mind, your body has done this twice before it knows what to do