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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

How long was your second labour?

45 replies

Rooroo1012 · 04/07/2018 10:16

My first labour was 36 hours from start to finish. I think my established labour was about 5 hours and an hour pushing.

I'm currently 23 weeks with DS2 and starting to think about what this one might entail.

Who has had a quicker labour second time around?

OP posts:

isambardo · 04/07/2018 15:36

Well, I had no time for pain relief with the second but there wasn’t the exhaustion that comes with a long labour (which for me anyway was far worse than any pain).

Second time was a massively better experience. I felt fresh and ready to look after a baby, rather than absolutely knackered and having to look after a baby!

lollilolli · 04/07/2018 16:17

@Rooroo1012 mine was agonising the second time. Everyone kept saying after how lucky I was to have a 20 min labour but I'd honestly rather go through 10 hours and it not be so intense and have time for at least some form of pain relief!

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 04/07/2018 20:51

I have been wondering the same OP.
I was in labour for 2 days with DC1 and while I would obviously like the next one to be shorter, I am scared that if it's too quick I won't have time for any pain relief. I can't decide which is worse, a long and exhausting labour or a quick, but potentially more intense and drug free one!

FoxgloveStar · 04/07/2018 21:36

You ladies make me hope for a quicker second labour. First was 36hrs of established labour.

How do you get someone round quick enough to take care of baby 1 so you can get to hospital in time for baby 2’s arrival?

HJL2506 · 05/07/2018 05:50

That's exactly my worry OP.

My mum is supposed to be looking after DS1 and she works. What if she can't get to her phone?! My husband works all over London and Essex too! That's what worries me.

HJL2506 · 05/07/2018 05:50

Foxglovestar, not OP^

Onegoodmutha · 05/07/2018 05:58

First - 26 hours
Second - 17 hours

Same amount of pain!

MummyItsallaboutyou · 05/07/2018 06:01

1st about 5 hours. 2nd was 90 minutes from first sign of labour to baby being born. No pushing. There was about 5 minutes of intense, unbearable pain, but other than that, all quite manageable!

slapmyassandcallmejudy · 05/07/2018 06:15

15 hours with the first
7 with the second

Both induced.

TheGrumpySquirrel · 05/07/2018 06:16

How many years between the labours? I'm imagining for most of you it's only a couple. I'm having dc2 in a few weeks but there will be a 13yr age gap. DC1 was 4 hour labour from first pain to baby (and within that only 1 hour of intense contractions). I've no idea what to expect this time

Oysterbabe · 05/07/2018 07:06

Both mine were quick. First was 4 hours and second was 2.5.

NotAsGreenAsCabbageLooking · 05/07/2018 07:12

First labour was 58 hours from first painful contraction (not sure on established timing as I was 8cm when I got to hospital, but it took another 6 hours from then).

Second was 27 hours start to finish.

mumpatrol · 05/07/2018 07:29

First labour about 4hrs 30mins. About the same with second.

Main difference was I knew what was coming with no 2 IYKWIM with DC1 I freaked out a bit during the transition stage as I didn't know what this sudden feeling was but with DC2 I knew exactly what I was feeling and what was happening to my body and knew what was happening next and it helped me cope better and stay calm about the whole process.
Recovery with DC2 was much better too I was less shell shocked and tired after (I was still knackered don't get me wrong) also listened to midwife, relaxed and avoided any tears even though DC 2 was over 8lbs so I found it easier overall.

TB93 · 05/07/2018 08:32

This actually terrifies me, I'm 38 + 4 and I'm worried, I had contractions for 4 days with DS (15 months ago) and they kept telling me to come back when my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart. They never were closer than 4 minutes apart. Got the the hospital on day 4 and I was at 7cm, two hours later (and finally something stronger than cocodamol), he was here, all 9lbs of him.

Now if DD is quick, since I'm not living with my parents this time around and they're 20 minutes away, I might have to wait for a while before even being taken into hospital and I wouldn't want them to keep sending me home like last time, but I don't remember there being any pain difference on the 4th day with DS, so I might not know how urgent getting to hospital is.

cricketmum84 · 05/07/2018 08:50

First labour was skewed cos I was induced with the drip so it's usually a bit faster. Drip started contractions at 3pm, started pushing at around 10.30, DS eventually arrived via ventouse delivery at 3.08am!
2nd labour had a few twinges around 3pm (again!), thought I should probs go to hospital at about 8pm as I was positive for group B strep and needed IV antibiotics before birth. Arrived at hospital at 9.30pm, started pushing at 11.52pm, she arrived at 11.58pm! 3 big pushes and she was out!!

cricketmum84 · 05/07/2018 08:51

Oh and 3.5 years between labours.

cricketmum84 · 05/07/2018 08:52

Stupid fat fingers too!! Should have said started pushing at 11.52 and she arrived at 11.55!

Groovee · 05/07/2018 08:57

Dd was induced and was born 17 hours later with a 4 hour labour. Ds started and stopped for 5 days then it was an 8 hour labour.

So opposite way for me.

HelenSim33 · 05/07/2018 13:14

This is interesting. I'm currently 24+4 weeks with second. My first was 10 hours from first contraction to birth and only 2 hours established labour (from 5cm when I was moved to delivery ward). So might be interesting this time round! 😀 Planning a home birth this time round so it'll be interesting to see how soon I need to call the midwife!

happygirly1 · 05/07/2018 14:49

I'm also pregnant with my second and have been wondering this!

My first I was in slow labour for four days, with contractions coming (at the longest) every 3-20 minutes. I was in established labour for 27 hours and two of that was pushing.

So I'm reeeeeeally hoping it's quicker second time around!

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