4th birth stories?

[Ava50x]

Currently 36+2 with DC4.

I've been lucky with all 3, lovely waterbirths with no complications. DS1 and DS2 born at 39 weeks, DS3 at 40+1. All pretty similar in pattern, woke up with contractions, stopped, restarted in the evening and then went in to have the baby.

I'm wondering what other people's fourth birth experiences have been?

Midwife told me the general "rule" is 1st births are long, 2nd are quick, 3rd are unpredictable. But nothing about 4th!!

I've been pretty chilled about the birth up until now but now its looming around the corner, I'd very much appreciate any and all 4th birth stories!

TIA:)

My fourth was pretty similar to my second and third. It was quicker, maybe 2 hours start to finish but a lovely home waterbirth like the others. I vaguely remember that it was fairly intense at the end, not much time between contractions but certainly nothing hugely different from the others.

10 mins of contractions and she was born I was already in hospital (thank fuck) as my waters had broken hours before, and in labours 2/3, I’d given birth within 2 hours of waters going.

I was a bit miffed after 7 hours and not even a twinge, they sent me up to the maternity ward to sleep at 11pm.

Woke up at 1am in extreme pain, no gap between contractions, was wheeled down to labour ward and had the urge to push, so had to breathe through 3 of those before I got to the room, stood up, got 5 steps before I felt her head crowning.

4th was an elcs with breech and transverse twins at 38wk.
1st full induction with epidural, fetal distress and vontouse. 2nd slow labour of 6 days from 1cm dilated but unassisted delivery, 2hr 19mins from waters broken G&A and 14 mins pushing (very big, shoulders got a bit wedged). 3rd 2 days labour, G&A until waters broken, born 11 mins after waters with just a few pushes but back to back so tore.
Number 6 is booked to come out the sunroof in less than 2 weeks, so long as she stays put.

Thanks for the responses!

@Chelyanne lol about the sunroof! Love the reference! best of luck for it!

Thank you

1st was induced at 42wks, 13ish hours, back to back, ventouse episiotomy and 3rd degree tear.

2nd spontaneous at 41+3, from first contraction it was about 20hrs but actual established labour was only 6hrs. Home the same day.

3rd - induced at 42wks again. Waters broken and labour 2hrs long.

4th induced at 40wks due to size. Waters broken, nothing happened, had to have drip (so had epidural) established labour 4hrs.

5th induced at 41wks due to my age. Waters broken and another 2hr labour. Almost identical to my 3rd except they made me get on the bed to be monitored so I ended up delivering there unlike DC3 where I was able to have her standing up.

Following. Also pregnant with my 4th.

Mine so far -

dd1 7lb 1, 3 days early, 2.5 hour labour. Very quick and she was in shock.
Dd2 8lb 13, 3 days late, back to back but 1.5 hour.
Dd3 8lb 14, 42+1 induced with drip, 2 hours from drip starting.

I’m 25 Weeks now and bloomin huge. I get pains at night at the bottom of my bump. I fear this might be born a toddler.

I don’t know many people who have had more then 3!!

My fourth was back to back but only 5 hours so not too bad! Born just before due date following a sweep

@bennetgirl I also don't know too many which is why i'm looking for stories! Best of luck with the rest of the pregnancy. I find its been flying, i've been so busy with other DC!

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE sounds like your 4th wasn't too bad... Thanks for sharing.

@Ava50x It is definitely going fast this time. I find I don’t really want to talk about this pregnancy other then with dp. I don’t want people asking how many weeks I am and how I’m feeling! I’d rather just get on with it 😂

Ps let me know how you get on. I hope it’s quick and easy x

Water broke about 1am
Went in to be checked (had cholestasis) but no proper contractions
With it being #4 and cholestasis they kept me in on the postnatal ward.

Contractions started early afternoon, but bearable
No space on labour ward
Begged to be allowed on labour ward by 9pm, told there was no room
Eventually they said they would check my progress, I said "if you check me I will deliver". They checked me and said I was 3cm and they would go and have a word with the consultant to see when the labour ward would be available.
18 mins later I was holding my baby (on the postnatal ward).

@Bennetgirl no problem, hope it won't be too much longer!

@AvaCallanach OMG! That sounds super quick and on postnatal ward too! Well done x