First labour was fast. Does it mean second will be faster?

[Toastedsesame]

Hi all,

Just wondering what general experiences are. My first labour was very fast. I went into hospital at 12.30pm to have my waters popped, they did it at 1pm and baby was born at 5pm, so 4h total. It was very traumatic and I tore, lost 2.5l blood and he had to he yanked out with forceps.

I'm 25w with baby number two and feeling really anxious about giving birth already. The hospital is 30mins away from us on a good day and DH does not drive.

Looking for reassurance if I'm honest but I also want to be prepared in case it's super fast 🙈

Be prepared.
My first labour was 3.5 hours
2nd was 2 hours
3rd was 1 hour.

It's possible. I have 4 and they were all different. Second was quickest but I'd been in slow labour for days so left it ages to get to the hospital and then she was born 2 hours later. My 4th was about 6 hours proper labour
My friends first was like a soap opera birth. Waters broke in the kitchen out of nowhere then needed to push. Two pushes later baby was here all in space of a few minutes. Her second birth was then a long induction and third spontaneous but not particularly quick

Yes, I believe so.

My first was induced but still quite fast once things got started, about 4 hours of established labour.

My second was extremely quick - first inkling of a niggle to birth was 5 hours and 2nd stage was about 30 seconds. I was in the labour suite for about an hour before he was born.

The midwife advised me to come in as soon as I was in labour if I got pregnant again.

First was 6hrs
Second was 2hrs

So yes, it is likely!

My first was 3.5 hours of active labour, so quite fast. Second was 2 hours from first contraction until baby born so very fast. 3rd was similar in pattern to second but not 2 hours, closer to 5 hours. Go in as soon as your contractions start/waters break. Second labours are generally quickest!

Definitely be prepared for it to be quick, just in case, so then maybe you won’t feel as anxious about it. Also, quick doesn’t mean bad experience/interventions. My first was just under 6hrs established labour, my second was 23 minutes!! Recovery was actually far easier the second time around (even though I had a worse tear).

Oh gosh I didn't realise this. Just had my first hopefully baby and it was 5 hours from first contraction to delivery!

My second took slightly longer. And had medical staff present as I wasn't left alone when labour started (as in mild contractions a few minutes apart) due to what happened the first time. Second was also a home birth, partly because the hospital was 45mins away down country lanes and they didn't want to risk the baby being born at the side of the road.

My first was 7 hours, my second was 50min!! Get prepared for a quick one.
I understand what you mean about it being traumatic. Although thankfully my son and I were fine, the speed at which he came was so unexpected, I wasn’t mentally or physically prepared for it.
I’d suggest planning for a quick birth, concentrating more on getting your baby here safely than planning for what’s going to happen during labour as you may not time for any of it!
(But you never know, it could be a long birth too!). Just plan for everything!
Good luck

Mine went the other way.

My first was just over 30 minutes, and because it was so fast when I was having my second I was told to come straight in as soon as I could. My second took 4 hours and it felt like forever in comparison even though I know that's still seen as a quick labour.

1st was 45 mins! In hospital at 8.30, home with baby by lunchtime
2nd was 4 hours. A much more relaxed one!

Why did you have your waters broken?

My inductions with breaking waters were faster and easier then when I had pessary/tape/wtv

First was 2.45
Second was about 3.15

But second birth was a water birth which is known to slow things down.

Mine were faster each time.

1st - began 5am ish, born 10.30pm
2nd - began 6am, born 12.25pm
3rd - began 12.30am, born 1.50am.

My first was 5 hours and the second was 3 hours!

I tore badly with number 1, but no tear with number 2

My first was five hours.
My second was 40 minutes.

Although it was fast I ended up in better condition afterwards second time around (no need for stitches etc) and it was so quick even the lack of pain relief didn't seem that bad.

Yes faster each time. 1st was 4hr, 2nd was 1.5h(rip), 3rd was 45mins and 4th was 35mins. Lets see how quick it will be this time as I'm 19w.

My first was 4 hours, my second was one hour.

My 1st was 7 hours
2nd 8 years later was 6 hours but back to back and quite ill.
3rd from 1st niggle to baby was an hour. Stitches with all of them though less and less for each one.

Thanks for sharing all your experiences! It does help.

My waters were broken because I was 12 days overdue and they were bulging. They told me they'd break them and then I could chill out for a bit, go for a walk etc. Baby had other ideas 🤣

When you have history of fast labours, it can be worth planning a home birth so that at least you don't need to travel in labour.

The other option is to ask for induction at 39 weeks due to the risk of fast labour and the travel time.

@Toastedsesame

Thanks for sharing all your experiences! It does help.

My waters were broken because I was 12 days overdue and they were bulging. They told me they'd break them and then I could chill out for a bit, go for a walk etc. Baby had other ideas 🤣

If you're anything like me, your next will also be overdue....

Thanks @BertieBotts I have considered it but due to my blood loss and also the fact that baby was in distress and needed assistance being born decided to go for a hospital birth.

@grey12 yep! Fully expect to go over again.

My first was 7 hours.
My second was 55 minutes

Don’t be anxious. You know what to expect and your body ‘remembers’. I found my second a breeze

My second was quicker than my first and my third even quicker! My fourth was longer than my third and shorter than my second. I think they are all different but generally second is quicker!