Labour with 2nd or 3rd child....or more

olgadapolga

My labours were all completely different, they say that it's supposed to get easier with each one but I found the third one the hardest (although this may have been due to the fact that I didn't quite trust the midwife and wasn't fully comfortable during labour).

First in hospital @ 42 weeks, 2 hrs 13 mins, 7lb 12oz, second degree tear
Second at home @ 37 weeks, 8 hours, 7lb 10oz, no tear
Third at home @ 42+ weeks, 7 1/2 hours, 9lb 8oz, no tear
Fourth at home @ 39 weeks, 2 hrs, 11lb, no tear

The second and third were from first twinge to holding the baby, the first and fourth were the midwives' assessments of length.

mwa

I've just had my third and my MW told me that 2nd babies are always the fast ones whereas 3rd ones are a bit random. So mine were 1st child-39 weeks 27 hours labour, 2nd child 39 weeks slightly under 4 hour labour, 3rd child 41 weeks 10 hour labour.

onlyroz

In general subsequent births are quicker than the first one. I was induced with my second and at one point I thought I was going to give birth in the hospital corridor between the maternity ward and the delivery suite. There wasn't even enough time for the midwife to ask me my name.

mum26

I went into labour on my due date with my first, was fairly textbook, about 14 hours, she was born the next day weighing 7lb 11. Dd2 was two weeks overdue, I went to be induced but they thought things were starting so did a sweep and sent me off to walk around the hospital which worked and she was born about 4 hours later ( really easy birth, flumped over a bean bag! Was the midwives qualifying birth and was a great atmosphere. Interestingly dd2 has always been the most difficult child!). She was 7lb 10.

Ds1 also two weeks overdue, stoppy starty labour for a few days then I went in. Had the gel pessary and went off like a firecracker, he was born in an hour, 9lb 6

Twins induced at 39 weeks. Two lots of gel hours apart, nothing happening, moved down to antenatal ward at 11pm and dp sent home when settled, so half past ish. As soon as he went I was waddling back and forth to the loo, duty midwife checked my notes, overtook me down the corridor and was gathering my stuff up lol she was taking no chances! Back up to delivery at 12 where they called dp back ( he was just lifting the duvet up to get into bed and he sleeps like a log so any linger and he would have missed it), got my mum back to babysit and he got to the hospital at about half past twelve, twenty to one. Twin one born at 1.02 am and twin 2 1.05am, just gas and air, a senior midwife and assistant! It helped it was the middle of the night! They had called for a doctor who staggered in between babies being born offering to top up my epidural, midwife witheringly told him I didn't have one so he patted me on the shoulder said well done, very good and waited outside lol! They were 6.6 and 6.4

Last baby 10 days overdue. went into labour at home, into hospital and he was born a few hours later 7lb 13

ETA The only thing that could be relied to be the same with my labours was the afternoons beingworse every ttime, to be honest I needed more pain relief for those!

fluffnutter

samtoby wrote: »

I have been thinking about my labour with my DS back in 2004 and I wonder if it will be different this time around or whether they follow any kind of trend - such as - I laboured quickly with DS - does it get quicker?

I am interested to hear peoples experience. My midwife did state as I had DS at 37 weeks it is unlikely but not impossible I will go into labour again that early but to me how long is a piece of string?

As my labour was fast I have been advised I will have labels - warnings for how quick I laboured as it might be even quicker?

Thanks in advance.

I've got visions of you covered in sticky red 'WARNING!' labels, desperately crossing your legs and screaming 'It's coming! It's coming!' whilst your frantic other half is screeching down the motorway trying to get you to hospital

meer53

1st baby, 12 hour labour, back to back, normal delivery.
2nd baby, induced at 35 weeks, half hour labour then emergency c section ! An hour from start to finish.

Just take it as it comes !

penguin83

All three of mine have been completely different.


Baby 1 (girl) 2003 - 14.5 hour active labour at 40+4 weeks


Baby 2 (boy) 2005 - 40 minute active labour at 40+4 weeks


Baby 3 (boy) 2013 - 9.5 hour active labour, ventouse delivery at 40+12 weeks.


No rhyme nor reason! xx

samtoby

fluffnutter wrote: »

I've got visions of you covered in sticky red 'WARNING!' labels, desperately crossing your legs and screaming 'It's coming! It's coming!' whilst your frantic other half is screeching down the motorway trying to get you to hospital

That made me laugh. Funny thing is I laboured so fast I didn't even get to a delivery suite - I have never been in one! I remember vivdly the midwife saying I had hours and would probably be 1-2cm and I was 8cm and she could feel the top of the head. I knew I was further than they thought. They took me seriously then and I had DS in a hospital bed at the end of a ward where other ladies who had complications/ waiting for sections were. They said they heard everything lol. :eek:

So when I told my Midwife the story on my first appointment she suggested a homebirth as I had no complications - but that wouldn't be for me. So she said she will label my notes up clearly that I need examined as soon as I turn up to hospital (if I even get there!)

I was just interested to see others stories. Thank you for sharing them with me - it is also funny that 3rd babies come often a lot different to the previous 2 for some. Not sure about having a third baby lol

fluffnutter

My friend had her second in the hall at home. When the paramedics turned up they couldn't get in because she was slumped by the front door with the placenta hanging out

samtoby

Don't....it does worry me I might not even get to Hospital this time....looks like there is not much pattern to labour with 2nd's so I will just have to wait and see!