Are second labours ALWAYS quicker?

[Iswallowtoothpaste]

I’m currently 7 weeks with our second baby.

Have DD (4) who ended up being 10 days overdue.

Our hospital is 40+ minutes away from our home and when I was in labour within DD and having contractions every 3 minutes, the midwife on the phone told me to stay at home until the contractions are constant. Her words being ‘you can’t be progressing this quickly with it being your first baby.’ About an hour later the contractions were constant and unbearable, I rang them again, struggling to speak and they told me that I couldn’t possibly be that far on and to stop at home even longer. I didn’t listen to them this time and we made our way to the hospital which took an hour due to traffic. I got out of the car and could feel her head between my legs. Got into reception just as she slid out into my pyjama bottoms, all 8lb 13oz of her.

Just wondering what other people’s experiences were.

Omg what a birth story :)
I had a quick first labour aswell, only lived 20 mins from the hospital then so managed to get there
But this time we are now 40 mins at least and will have to sort childcare so Im panicking!
They even offered me an induction as they are worried I won't make it so I'm guessing most second labours are faster!

My midwife said to ring them as soon as I have even the slightest sign of labour and even if they say stay at home to just go in! They aren't going to turn anyone away so best to be at the hospital!
Just don't want to go all the way in for a false alarm but I'm worried by the time I know it's the real thing It will be too late

Have images of giving birth in the car or something!!!!

Interested to see anyone's actual experience of labour times with second babies!!!

Have you considered a home birth op? Would be one way to not have to worry about traveling.
Second labours aren't always quicker but it is the general rule. When they talk about labour being quicker they generally mean the established labour part it can take just as long or even longer for some women to get into established labour but once that happens things are generally as quick or quicker than the first time.

@user1499786242 hadn’t even thought about childcare!! Luckily my mum only lives 10 minutes up the road so hopefully she’ll be able to take charge. Same here, 40 minutes seems such a long time to be travelling, it’s a shame that they’ve closed many of the smaller hospital’s maternity departments down.

@Bluebirdsky yes I’d absolutely love a home birth but I’m fairly overweight so guessing I’ll be classed as high risk this time. Not sure if they’d allow it, especially with the hospital being so far away.

Hospitals can't allow a home birth, if you say you're having one then they're duty bound to attend.

Still not exactly sure what's going to happen re childcare
As no family really close
And would create a lot of extra waiting around so think we will have to take little one to the hospital with us and get someone to meet us there!
Induction would be far easier logistically but not sure I want to go through it without medical reason!

I deffo don't want a home Birth being so far from the hospital!!

Saw my midwife today and baby is really low and ready to go so I'm obsessing over any little sign!
Didn't actually have any signs with my son just started with contractions so will be keeping a good eye out for them!

Good luck!!,. Xx

I was worried about this, but ended up being induced for other reasons.
Good job really as was 34 mins from waters breaking to baby arriving. Although I was contracting for hours before, I was examined 2 hours before she arrived and my cervix wasn't even favourable.
My DH missed it and I just about made it to the delivery room.

I'd trust those instincts. If I'd have laboured on my own I think there's a good chance I wouldn't have made it to the hospital.

I was 7 hours on my first, and an hour on my 2nd and 3rd. I’m now having my 4th and considering a home birth as I’ve moved and the hospital is further away