If my first labour was 3 and a half hours, how quick will my second be?!?!

[sarahscot]

I'm getting seriously panicky.

My first labour only took 3 and a half hours from the first contraction until he was born. I was induced due to being over due though, does being induced make it any faster?

Anyway, the reason I'm panicking is I have heard from two other people who had short first labours that their second took 50 minutes for one and 70 minutes for another. As I live 40 minutes from the hospital I'm terrified of not getting their in time and something going horribly wrong.

Has any got any experience of how long the second labour might be after a fast first one?

my 2nd was a homebirth, planned because I was concerned about how quick it would be.
In the event, with it being so quick, there was just me and ex (then dh) there - although he was on the other side of the room cutting some bubble wrap to put down.
The actual birth wasn't messy at all, but I sat on the floor (thought I was on a disposable change mat) for an hour after the birth while we waited for the midwife and that did make a mess!

I didn't have any G&A dropped off before, and no idea if the MW brought any with her as it wasn't needed by the time she arrived.

First was 4 hrs from first contraction. Second was twins 4 hrs from first contraction to deliver twin 1 then another 25 mins for twin 2.

i should add that my times were from first twinge to popping out

and i had 2 at home (1st and 3rd) unplanned, my second one came early when i was in ireland on holiday, and i was pushing her out in my tights , but delivered her 3 mins after getting to hospital

number 4 i was induced 4 weeks early in hospital, for a few reasons, but including the fact there was concern i would have an unattended delivery with my history

for the hb's the ambulance turned up first, followed by midwives once they realised i wasnt over reacting and panicking, but they did get there in time for both, and they did bring gas and air, tho i never got to use it

i went to hospital after dd1, again for more than one reason, but not for ds1

1st one, induced, was 5 hours.

2nd, not induced, just one hour from first twinge (luckily was in the hospital at the time for monitoring).

1st - 4 1/2 hours from first twinge to baby out.

2nd - 4 hours from first twinge to baby out. Was a lovely homebirth, planned because midwife had said second labour could be super fast.

3rd - (whispers) 30 mins, delivered by dh at home. Midwife arrived a few minutes later.

I would plan for a homebirth if I were you.

I asked my midwife the same question, as my second labour was only 2 hours from the first pain to baby arriving. I was 7cms when I arrived at hospital and she was born within the hour. My contractions actually stopped in the ambulance, or at least the pain did. My midwife has advised me to go to the hospital at the first sign, due to living a hour away. I'm due in five weeks and having nightmares of delivering on the motorway.

Have just showed this thread to my husband, who says he doesn't like the idea of a homebirth in case anything goes wrong. He also pointed out that there is an ambulance depot less than a mile from our house so if we didn't think we'd make it to hospital we could phone and have an ambulance in minutes. I think I'd definitely rather have a baby in an ambulance than in the back of our Golf!

i agree with your h about the ambulance/car debate

Agree with your DH re: ambulance. But that also means the ambulance could be there quickly to a home birth too.

my ex (then h) didn't like the idea of a homebirth either.
I was firmly of the opinion that if he was going to give birth he could do it where ever he wanted, but as I was the one giving birth it was my choice (given that I had had a quick - 2hrs - 1st birth with no complications, and a normal 2nd pg with no complications).

If I had got in the car to go to hospital, and my 2nd labour had progressed as quickly in the car as it did at home, then my baby WOULD have been born in the car.

I posted earlier about timings, I can't be sure on the actual length of labour, I know that my 1st contraction was around 11.45pm, and I know that the baby was born before midnight as the 999 call dh made on his mobile after ds2 was born was 11.something. I had maybe 5 contractions, but more likely 3 or 4. I don't actually remember.

The ambulance was with us within about 20 mins. The MW (called when having 1st contraction) was about an hour after the birth.

The ambulance people didn't actually do anything, but were then there in case there were problems or I needed to be transferred. I guess if they had had a more urgent shout they would have gone, but out kitchen was as good a place to drink tea as any!