If your first labour was slow, how was the second?

[Spottypineapple]

Inspired by the thread on fast labours..!

My first was 18 hours on paper (was 4cm when I went to decline induction appointment when they recorded the start time) but I had 4 nights of contractions getting me to that 4cm, and nothing during the day!

I had planned a home birth but transferred in after labouring at home for 14 of those hours and only getting to 6cm.

Considering another home birth but looking for encouragement that second time is likely to be quicker so less chance I'll need to go in (I didn't want to but looking back I was bloody exhausted and just needed a bit of sleep, thank you epidural)

What was your experience? Thank you :)

Yep. 24 hours for DS1. Hospital
4 hours for DS2 and then again 4 hours for DD. Both home births

First labour 3 days, second labour 4 hours!

Couldn't of been more different between my two DD's, I don't think you can ever really guess. I prepared myself for another long labour and was very shocked when I progressed so quickly

1st labour 23 hours. 2nd and 3rd labour 4 hours. Totally different!

I nearly had DS2 without a midwife as I thought it wuld take the same time as DS1 and so I didn't call them as soon as contractions started!

Mine were both inductions so not sure if that counts? First labour 12 hours from start of drip (waters broke w4 hours before that with very light contractions for 24 hours)

Second labour - 1 hour from start of drip! Again waters broke 24 hours before and very little contractions or labour for 24 hours after that.

First was 18 hours, second 20 minutes!

First labour 28 hours from first contraction to birth. Second labour 3.5 hours.

Oh wow thank you everyone this does give me some hope for my home birth!

Especially as I know what to expect this time, if the same happens again I'll labour a lot longer on my own before calling the midwives, but hopefully it won't come to that.

First labour 19 hours from first contraction, second 2 hours. I was very surprised!

Slow. First labour 30 hours, second labour 20 hours. Never again.

First labour 14 hours second was 3 or 4! With my first I was pushing for 2.5 hours only to have forceps with my second I was pushing for 10 mins! Really hoping history repeats itself as currently due in aug with number 3!!

1st 14.5 hours, 2nd 6 hours.

@Spottypineapple How did your second birth end up going, out of interest? Or are you still pregnant?

Over 12hrs for 1st. Minutes for 2nd. I'd only popped out from work for a blood test. It was so quick that I almost went into shock 🤣

Still pregnant I'm afraid!

7ish weeks to go 🤞

Good luck! It sounds like it should be easier this time around 🤞

@UnwieldyRhombus I'm sure you've forgotten about this thread but in answer to your question, DD2 was finally born today.

Was recorded as 2hrs 24mins from first observation to birth, but I laboured on my own for about 10 hours prior to that (called midwives as late as I could bare)

So, still slow compared to some but quicker than my first. Phew!

@Spottypineapple Thanks for coming back with an update! I'm glad it went well and was faster for you!

I'll never know if my second would've been faster than my first - had him early via an emergency c-section! I had covid and both of our heart rates were too high and not coming down so I was induced and laboured for two hours (fun while feeling unwell 😂) but the contractions made his heart rate even higher, so they had to get him out.

Hope you and baby are enjoying your first day ❤️

(Oh, just checked the thread and I never said - my first birth was very similar to yours and for my second I was all set for a home birth, but it wasn't to be. Very disappointing and I would have at least liked to have gone into labour at home and laboured there for a bit rather than going into hospital for a quick check and then getting surprised with not being able to leave until I'd had the baby but he wasn't coping well and it made sense to get him out)

1st labour three days. Second labour two days.

Oh congratulations!