How much quicker was your second labour?

[MKWarrier]

DH and I are struggling to find childcare for DD1 when DD2 arrives in August. We have various friends who have said they’ll help out, but obviously it’s going to depend on if they’re available at the time and we won’t know until it happens. Nursery will try to help but, again, it will depend on timing and if they have space - she is term time only and baby is due mid-summer holiday.

As it’s looking likely we’ll have to just sort it out when it happens, I’m now wondering how much time we’ll have to do this. How much quicker was your second labour compared to your first?

With DD I was in early labour at home for 24 hours but then it was 3.5 hours between being admitted to hospital and her being born so the last bit was quite quick. But as long as I get a few hours in early labour before we get to that point I’m hoping we can sort something!

It was a lot quicker for me. DC1 was 29 hours from the first contraction, DC2 was 3.5 hours. Your friends will be happy to help out in these circumstances! Good luck OP.

Mine was twice as long after stressing my whole pregnancy that I wasn’t going to make it.

DC1 was less than 4 hours start to finish. DC2 double that. DC3 6 mins.

Mine was much longer. 😔

7hrs longer.

38hrs compared to 31.

Very similar time. About 3 hours from the start of contractions to birth.

From show to birth, 3 hours dc1 and 1 hour 40 dc2, so half the time.

Mine was about the same, but 2nd was induction, about 6-7 hours each

My first was about 12 hours, second was 4 hours. I had planned a homebirth anyway and there was enough time for my mum to come and collect DC1 while labour got underway. Hopefully one of your friends will be available on the day and ready to step in.

DC1 was 6 hours from when they broke my waters (was being induced, no Labour signs until that point).

DC2 was about 1.5 hours from when I asked the midwife for a paracetamol as was feeling slight pain to DD being born! If I hadn’t already been in hospital I wouldn’t have made it (it isn’t a long journey, I just wouldn’t have been able to get on the car the pain escalated so quickly).

Couldn't have been quicker. First was 30+ hours. Second was 58 minutes

First was 24 hours
Second was eight

41 hours quicker! (46 vs 5)

Had nearby family on standby who had said DS could sleep at theirs, and luckily labour started in the afternoon while I was already visiting hospital for blood pressure appointment, so DH got DS from nursery, got him to where he was staying and then was given a lift to hospital, but he didn't get there that long before DD arrived. For DS (who was 3) I think going into family setup helped, and having older children to play with made it fun. Hope you find something that works.

First was 24 hours
Second was 6 hours

Mine was a lot longer.

Much quicker! First labour ~15 hours. Second labour <3 hours!

Dc1 34 hours (posterior position), dc2 2 hours (induced).

3 days, roughly....

First was a 4 day attempt at induction then another day actually getting on with it.

Second was an induction again, in and out in less than 24 hours.

In your shoes I wouldn't even consider nursery as an option, you'll be worrying if they have space and then worrying about logistics of pickup/dropoff. At least of they're with a friend or similar then there's a chance another friend could liaise with them directly to swap if need be, nursery staff wouldn't have the flexibility to sort all that out. I'm sure it will work out though 🙂

Five times as long, painful. difficult and exhausting.

Everyone I know had a really quick second labour saying things like "I almost gave birth in the car park". However mine was just as long as my first. Both took about 20 hours.

6 hrs first one (from first contraction)

less than 2 for the second one… barely got to the hospital in time

whatever happens it will be fine, you can always bring the other child along if you have no choice

I did not feel anything until about 5-6cm dilated so maybe that is unusual (did not notice any early Labour signs but you did so you will have a lot more warning)

1st was 2.5 hrs.
2nd was 15 mins.

First was about 50 hours, the second was 5.5. Everyone told me it would be quicker but I didn't expect the ratio to be quite that extreme!

Thanks everyone! Such a range of different experiences, I guess I will just have to see what happens! If it happens really quickly we might just have to bring her with us and she can wait with DH somewhere.

DC1 18 hours
DC2 6hours