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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

if i had a three hour labour with my first born...

61 replies

twolittlepenguins · 25/04/2015 21:50

what should i expect for this pregnancy? is it true that 2nd labours are quicker?? or are they completely different? i'm not sure if this is a wife's tale or not (i'm scared).

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Original poster

twolittlepenguins · 25/04/2015 22:16

nights that sounds scary but i'm glad you had made the decision not to travel. thank you for sharing. may i ask was your first child at home? one of my worries with a home birth is upsetting DD1?

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Original poster

twolittlepenguins · 25/04/2015 22:17

twirlypoo i completely understand that it scares you shitless. i think i need to try talk to the midwife properly as u say.

OP posts:

NightsOfGethsemane · 25/04/2015 22:18

I was told I could have an induction with an epidural 2 weeks before my due date. Which I appreciate isn't everyone cup of tea, but the 'plannedness' of it is just what I need. Maybe talk to your midwife?

If I ever have another baby, without a doubt I am taking this option. I wouldn't risk having an unassisted birth again.

KatharineClover · 25/04/2015 22:18

DS1 3.5 hr active labour (12 hrs from first twinge to baby)
DS2 5.45 hrs from first twinge to baby

Original poster

twolittlepenguins · 25/04/2015 22:19

thank you katharine

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Fattycow · 25/04/2015 22:19

There is no rhyme or reason to it.

IAmAPaleontologist · 25/04/2015 22:20

Number one was 4.5 hrs from waking up with period type pain to holding baby. I panicked a lot in labour thinking "I can't do this for 12 hours!"

Number 2 was 5 hrs from first contraction to baby so much the same length but very different, it felt like it had more build up.

Number 3 was around an hour and a half

Every labour is different. You've done it before so you already know more what to expect, the contractions might still hurt but they won't take you by surprise in the same way so you'll probably feel as though there is more build up as you won't be as tense so will be able to relax back down between pains which makes a massive difference.

NightsOfGethsemane · 25/04/2015 22:20

My first baby was in a hospital two. Very straightforward, quick and easy so we decided on a homebirth for #2. I was worried about DD1 as well but actually she slept through it all. If she'd woken up, the plan was for my sister to come and collect her and look after her at her house.

twirlypoo · 25/04/2015 22:21

I should add - I'm not even pregnant. I haven't had sex in 4 years just in case I get up the duff

Original poster

twolittlepenguins · 25/04/2015 22:24

fatty seems that way, as with so much about pregnancy and childbirth!

iam that all makes sense, thanks.

nights she slept through it, goodness, well at least that was something. it must have been quite traumatic for u though.

twirly that made me lol

OP posts:

NightsOfGethsemane · 25/04/2015 22:32

Thanks two. It was pretty awful TBH. My experience is really not typical though and the vast majority of women give birth either in a hospital or at home with a midwife present.

The good thing is that you are aware of the possibility of precipitous labour and have lots of time to plan. I would suggest talking about this seriously with your midwife once you are in your third trimester.

Mrscog · 25/04/2015 22:34

I had dc2 on Monday. Dc1's labour was 12 hours. I'd say this one was 4 hours. The problem was though that the contractions weren't as full on until the very end (last 30 mins), so i got to hospital at 3am worrying I wasn't in labour enough, only to have DS2 in my arms 30mins later! The end was massively quick and shocking this time!

CheeseEMouse · 25/04/2015 22:41

My first was 9 hours, my second (this week!) was 5 hours. My only advice would be to be fairly insistent with the hospital that you are on your way in. I was being robbed off with an "every labour is different" line when I rang, with the midwife saying it didn't sound like my contractions were long enough and to wait an hour. As it was I waited 20mins, rang again and arrived in hospital with 20mins to spare.

CheeseEMouse · 25/04/2015 22:42

*fobbed not robbed!

bloodyteenagers · 25/04/2015 23:01

Not in my case. First was just over 7 hours. 2nd was over 27 hours.. Went downhill by the time I had the fourth. Dread to think of times if I had another. Think that one would be ready for school.

mrsleomcgary · 25/04/2015 23:05

I had a four hour labour with my first but went from 4cm to delivered in exactly 60minutes (I honestly don't know where they got 4 hours from but it's on my notes!)

I was induced at 38wks as I'm a type 1 diabetic and there was a lady induced at the same time as me who was beig induced because of really fast labours so should be an option if you're worried.

Currently pregnant with my second, to be honest if I get a labour anything like my first I'll be delighted!

Mangobubbles · 26/04/2015 09:12

My first labour was under 4 hours so I was advised to register for a home birth with my second even though I would have preferred hospital. So glad I did as my second labour was under an hour with no warning signs. And two weeks early, luckily my husband randomly decided to work from home that day and DC1 was booked into my local gym crèche for 2 hours as I was planning to go for a swim. DC2 born whilst DC1 at crèche! There was no way I wanted to get in a car and drive 25 mins to hospital. It was lovely being at home and somehow ended up with 4 midwives at the birth. Good luck with everything.

WhatchooLookingAt · 26/04/2015 09:18

DC1 - 36 hours
DC2 - 1 hour

Chips1999 · 26/04/2015 09:23

From first twinge to delivery DS was 5 hours 50 minutes with approx 2 hour active labour.

From first twinge to delivery DD was 4.5 hours with approx 1 hour 23 minute active labour.

I did find the second labour a bit more stressful as it was faster and I was a bit worried about DH getting home from work (takes him 1 hour), luckily I knew the first contraction was a real one so he left work sharpish and we got to the hospital with 45 minutes to spare.

If I was to have a third DC I would plan for a home birth because I did feel worried we didn't have enough time to get to the hospital and parking was a nightmare etc.!

sparklingsea · 26/04/2015 09:27

1st 3 hours

2nd 5 hours, much bigger baby though

Chasingsquirrels · 26/04/2015 09:35

You get what comes, but best to be prepared just in case.

For me;
DC1 - 2.5 hrs from waters breaking, less than 2 hours from 1st contraction.
DC2 - 25 mins from waters breaking, less than 15 mins from 1st contraction.

DC2 was a planned home birth, mainly due to to speed and ease of DC1.
In the event it was an unattended home birth due to the speed, I had called a midwife out when I had the 1st contraction, but she didn't arrive until about an hour after the birth.

NightsOfGethsemane · 26/04/2015 09:40

Also OP, remember that if you sign up for a homebirth, you are really just keeping your options open. Nobody will stand over you demanding you give birth in your bedroom if you don't want to. You can go to hospital at any time you fancy it. Straight away if you want to or later on if things are going more slowly than expected.

Psipsina · 26/04/2015 09:43

My first was about 8-9 hours and my second was 3 and a half hours from the first ctx.

Third was probably about - er let me work this out - random low level ctx at about 2pm, only for an hour or so, a few more around 4pm,

kicked off properly about 9pm and gave birth at 1am. So I'd say about 4 hours properly.

It's always random but with your history I would suggest being prepared and letting them know you had a previous fast labour when you phone in.

HeffaLumpers · 26/04/2015 09:45

I had a very easy 5 hour labour with my first and have been advised to have a home birth with my second as the midwife thinks I could have a very quick second labour. My midwife told me that regardless of whether I planned to have the baby in hospital or not I should prepare for a home birth because I may not get the option. I have a 2 year old dd and she will be there. I would seriously look at a home birth.

secondtimeprego · 27/04/2015 12:38

I'm due in less than 3 weeks and having a planned home birth due to DS1 being a 2.5hr labour. The thought of having an unplanned home birth scared me! (No family/friends local to where I live -so if I went into labour I'd need to wait for someone to collect my son before I could go to hospital... And just so scared I'd give birth before they arrived or by the road on the way etc.). I was initially not keen on the idea of a home birth but having thought it through properly I found my general anxiety has eased dramatically as I feel like I have more control over the birth situation! I've been told 2 midwives will come out to me at home, and if it progresses quickly to call paramedics-so every eventuality is covered. Now just a waiting game............ Hurry up baby!

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