Previous fast labours - what are the odds this time?

[Bathbaby]

Hi
I'm nearly 40 weeks with 3rd pregnancy, and have had 2 previous fast labours. First was a show at 330am, then so sore in hospital by 630am, but was 10cm and ready to push! Baby big (9lb 13) so had a long 2nd stage of nearly 3 hours, but normal delivery with an episiotomy and 2nd degree tear in the end!

Swore I would never do it again, but with no 2 went into labour at 7am, and by 730 I had her in the bath, 2 pushes after my waters broke. I had a bath in order to shave my legs, and my waters popped as I got into the bath! This was an unplanned home delivery! She was a lot smaller than my first - only 7lb 3.
Both were round about my due date.

I have been advised by my midwife to contact the hospital as soon as I get a twinge! We briefly discussed a planned homebirth, but she was of the opinion that none of the midwives would get to me on time anyway!
I'm also a huge coward, and would take all the analgesia thrown at me, despite having been lucky enough to have managed with just G and A with no 1, nil with no 2!
I think I know the answer but looking for a bit of reassurance! Thanks!

Yes I would imagine there's a really good chance it will be a quick labour for no.3. I do know someone who had 2 fast labours and the third was looooong and drawn out and I know which she preferred . I've only got 2 dc and they were both fast too....

Are you sure you want to attempt getting to hospital given how quickly/unexpectedly dc2 arrived?

I would say you are almost certainly going to pop this one out in no time at all

All mine were quick

ds1 - 90 mins, arrived at hospital pushing no analgesia

ds2 - 55 mins, induced by ARM, g&a

ds3 - 45 mins, induced with synto, asked for morphine after first contraction didn't get it, g&a again.

ds4 - booked hb, mw and myself quite convinced he'd appear before any help and sure enough 15 mins after 1st cx he arrived, delivered by dp as paramedic arrived twas lovely

I felt v strongly that I didn't want to get in car and deliver on way to hospital given previous fast labours, mw absolutely agreed, she ensured that the whole community mw team were aware of my history so mw's who attended almost expected him to have been BBA. Felt like bit of a celeb!!

Good luck, hope all goes well, am sure you ll just pop it out

Forgot to say, obv no analgesia with ds4 but for whatever reason it was least painful of all, would do it all again tomorrow

I know how you feel - With my unplanned home birth it was so easy and I would be delighted if it happened like that again.
My DH says he found it very traumatising, but for me it never even entered my head that anything could go wrong - I just needed to push!
I also know what you mean about being a celeb, as I got taken to hospital after for a check up and felt like a superstar going into labour ward with a newly born wrapped in a bathtowel! For me it was a great experience.
I have a MW appt on thurs so maybe will discuss ?homebirth again!

V likely you'll have quick delivery again, might be prudent to plan a homebirth unless you live v near the hospital.

Much better for midwifes to be travelling to you (and you deliver at home) than you to risk delivering in a car/ambulance.

Not really sure why you'd need G&A if your baby was born in 2 pushes and you weren't even sure you were in labour before that.

Do you know how big this baby is and what position its in?

I had two quickish labours (around 4 hours) and number 3 took 30 mins from start to finish. Delivered by my dh at home.

However, my friend recently had number 4. Her third child arrived very quickly and was delivered at home by her dh (unplanned). Her fourth was much more drawn out - at least a couple of hours. So I guess you never know what will happen.

Good luck. What an exciting time for you!

Thank you! Hopefully not too much longer now!