Speedy labour

[mumandcub]

D day is fast approaching and I’m getting a bit worried. I laboured and gave birth within 50 minutes with DS1. I was induced as I was GDM so didn’t need to worry about getting to hospital.
This time I’m not a GDM and worried that I’ll be at home, I’ll have to wait for childcare to arrive before I can make my way to hospital and I won’t make it in time.
Has anyone else had speedy labours and how did you prepare when you have other children at home? What plans did you put in place?
My midwife is on AL for our next check so will the step in midwife be able to help me plan too?
Thanks all
P.s know all labours are different and this may be very slow

My last labour was v quick (though not as fast as yours!) and this time we are having a family member come stay with us one week ahead of due date so we will have a third adult in situ when the time comes (obviously could happen earlier than that but not likely I don’t think).
Is something similar possible for you?

Yes this is what DH suggested, my mum doesn’t live too far from us and is part of our childcare bubble anyway so this makes sense. I’m sure she would do it for us. Still worries me as the hospital is 30 mins from us 🙈 also did you tell the labour ward when you rang that you deliver very quickly?

Well I didn’t the last time as I wasn’t expecting it! No.1 took about ten hours, No.2 was 90 minutes or so - delivered about 30 after getting to hospital. I only agreed to go so early as DH was nervous about the noises I was making 😂. I will definitely tell them (v assertively) this time, I’d rather be there early than deliver in the car park! Plus midwives have a charming habit of denying that anyone is ever actually in labour ever, and telling you you’ll be days yet etc. (Like they did when I arrived last time - they actually told me to stop being ‘greedy’ with the gas and air...the student MW apologised afterwards on behalf of her superior who could only manage to look seriously put out at being wrong 😂).

Yes they certainly do have a way to make you sound over dramatic don’t they 🤣 I remember when I wanted to push DS1 and the main MW told me I was only 6cm 10 mins prior, the student MW suggested she looked again at that point they realised I was 9.5cm and the head was coming...that soon made everyone move quickly!

Did you have the oxytocin drip? You might find it’s not quite as fast without it, although it does t sound like you’ll be in Labour for days! How close are you to the hospital?

I’ve had 7 and am pregnant with number 8, I’ve had similar experiences to you with the midwives saying I couldnt be ready to push, gone from 4cm to fully dilated in ten minutes etc.

I think my longest has been 4 hours and shortest were 60 mins (last baby, with the drip!) most were a couple of hours and they started naturally.

I remember my third my husband dropped me at the hospital then go and drop the kids off with friends then come back to me, he got back for the pushing stage.

@isadorapolly no, didn’t have any drips. It could be very different this time though and be slow who knows. We are about 30 mins from the hospital but you cannot park close by either. Can you opt to be induced for speedy labours so you’re in the right place? 🤣

My first took about 14 hours - the next a little over 1 and we're half an hour drive from the hospital.
If I was to have another I'd definitely make preparations for a home Birth just to set my mind at rest.
The people I know who've had complications and therefore really needed a hospital have all either been induced - and therefore were there Already or had much longer births - and so had time to get there.

@milleniumhandandprawn I have considered a home birth but DH is really against it, he worries if something was to go wrong etc. I think I’ll have to get my mum to move in from a week before the due date so I’ve got someone on hand to look after DS1. Luckily my DH will WFH 2 weeks before due date so that we are in isolation too.

That's fair enough - maybe prep for both if you can?
With DD I transitioned in the car and she started crowning as we parked. I'd really not want to repeat that so would have a nice chilled time at home with a midwife on speed dial and a birthing pool in the living room 😂

I would plan for a home birth and get the midwife to show you and DH what to do if you have to give birth without a midwife present. Better a home birth than giving birth in the car on the way to hospital.

If you didn’t have the drip and it was still that fast then I would put money on this one being fast too.

I dont want to be rude but if you want a home birth then have one, why does your husband get a say, he’s not the one giving birth! X

@isadorapolly I know I do agree but I think it’s because when DS was born, he had to get taken as he was very floppy just from the shock of being born so quickly. I think a home birth would be nice and relaxed and the guarantee of a pool. I can see the pros and cons of it, may be sensible to plan for one and walk away from it than not plan and need one perhaps?